Inside The Rangers

WATCH: Rangers Ace Martin Pérez Shines for Venezuela Against Vaunted Dominican Lineup

Martin Pérez of the Texas Rangers shined during an incredible performance against one of the best international lineups ever assembled in baseball history in the Dominican Republic.

Kade Kistner

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Texas Rangers starting pitcher Martin Pérez was impressive on Saturday night when he took the mound for Team Venezuela in their first game of group stage in the World Baseball Classic. 

It was an incredible test as he was facing the Dominican Republic lineup which has fielded arguably one of the most talented lineups in international baseball history.

The left-hander pitched 3 1/3 innings and allowed just one earned run against the vaunted lineup. His offspeed stuff looked crisp and his fastball had plenty of life. He almost looked to be in midseason form. 

In the third inning Pérez was faced with a bases-loaded situation. He pitched fearless and induced a ground ball from Juan Soto for the third and final out, avoiding any damage.

Pérez is being counted on by the Rangers to be a key component to a rebuilt pitching staff led by two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom.

The front office has to feel good about the prospects of the the projected rotation, especially considering where deGrom and Pérez are this spring.

Pérez, easily the staff ace last season, has looked solid with the Rangers in spring games before turning in a stellar performance in the WBC opener.

After dealing with a minor physical setback to open camp, deGrom is set to make his first start of the spring Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies, Cubs and Astros. He is also an editor for Inside the Rangers. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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