Eovaldi’s near-perfect start fuels Rangers’ 10-4 rout of Tigers
Texas rode three solo homers to victory after Nathan Eovaldi’s no-hit bid crumbled in the fifth, proving their bats can bail out even the ugliest outings.
Texas rode three solo homers to victory after Nathan Eovaldi’s no-hit bid crumbled in the fifth, proving their bats can bail out even the ugliest outings.
Nathan Eovaldi carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning on Thursday night before the Detroit Tigers broke through with three runs, but the Texas Rangers’ offense ensured he still earned the win in a 10-4 rout at Globe Life Field. Eovaldi retired the first 12 batters he faced, striking out five and keeping the Tigers hitless until Jake Rogers lined a leadoff single in the fifth. Detroit capitalized quickly, with Zach McKinstry’s RBI double and a two-run single by Akil Baddoo sanding the score to 2-0.
The Rangers answered immediately, with Elias Díaz drilling a solo home run off Tigers reliever Alex Lange to cut the deficit to 3-1. Texas broke the game open in the sixth when Josh Smith launched a 410-foot solo shot off Lange, knotting the score at 3-3. Evan Carter took over in the seventh, drilling a 420-foot solo homer off Reese Olson to give the Rangers their first lead at 4-3.
The floodgates opened in the eighth, as Carter added another RBI single and Wyatt Langford’s two-run blast extended the lead to 7-3. Eovaldi finished with six innings, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out seven. He stranded seven runners, including runners in scoring position in the third and fifth innings.
The Tigers’ three-run fifth was the first multi-run inning Texas allowed after Eovaldi’s early dominance. J. Hinch called Eovaldi’s start “a masterclass in the first four innings,” noting the Tigers’ inability to sustain pressure against the Rangers’ rotation.
“We got to him early in the fifth, but their bats were too much,” Hinch said. ” Eovaldi’s six‑inning effort, though blemished by a third‑inning run, was still solid by MLB standards. He walked none, struck out seven, and left seven runners stranded, including two on base in the third and fifth innings.
His ability to limit damage after the Tigers’ breakthrough underscored his value as a mid‑rotation mainstay. The victory keeps the Rangers within striking distance of the AL West leaders, while the Tigers remain a few games back. Texas’ ability to surge offensively even when the pitching falters gives the club a cushion in the race, whereas Detroit’s inconsistent offense continues to haunt their pursuit of a playoff spot.
The Rangers’ offensive explosion wasn’t just about power—it was about timing. Three of Texas’s four runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings came with two outs, a testament to clutch hitting under pressure. 12 ERA, allowed four runs in three innings, exposing its fragility in high-leverage spots.
Detroit’s bullpen ranks 22nd in the majors in save percentage, a stat that has repeatedly cost them games this season. Texas’s rotation has been the backbone of their surprising start, but Thursday’s game highlighted the depth of their lineup. Even when Eovaldi’s command wavered, the Rangers manufactured runs through small ball and timely swings.
This versatility makes them dangerous in close games, where one swing can erase a pitcher’s mistake. 5 games back of Houston with a schedule that softens in the coming weeks, giving them a real shot to close the gap if they sustain this kind of production. What’s next: The Rangers (42-35) continue their homestand against the Tigers on Friday, while Detroit (36-41) looks to avoid a three-game sweep. Read at ESPN
The Rangers’ offense showed it can win ugly, bailing out a shaky outing from Eovaldi with timely hitting. The win keeps Texas within striking distance in the AL West, while Detroit’s offense remains inconsistent. Eovaldi’s ability to limit damage despite early dominance underscores his value as a mid-rotation anchor. His outing also highlights the Rangers’ depth: even when the rotation wobbles, the lineup can manufacture runs. The win underscores how Texas’s clutch hitting and bullpen resilience are masking deeper roster questions, while Detroit’s bullpen struggles continue to derail their playoff push.
ESPNespn.comJul 3, 3:53 AMen
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