Nathan Eovaldi Dominates, Ezequiel Duran Powers Texas Rangers Past Yankees

Nathan Eovaldi had his best start with the Texas Rangers, while Ezequiel Duran took care of the offense on Saturday night against the New York Yankees.

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Texas Rangers got a complete game shutout from Nathan Eovaldi and a two-run home run from Ezequiel Duran to beat the New York Yankees 2-0 on Saturday night at Globe Life Field in front of a record sellout crowd.

The Rangers (16-11) remained in the American League West lead with the victory and leads the series 2-1. 

Texas announced before the game that pitcher Jacob deGrom would be moved to the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation and called up pitcher Yerry Rodriguez from Triple-A Round Rock. 

The Yankees (15-13) also announced that outfielder Aaron Judge was diagnosed with a mild hip sprain. He did not play Saturday. 

Rangers shortstop Ezequiel Duran continued his torrid run with a two-run home run to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth. While it was his second home run of the season, it marked his 11th straight game to reach base safely and boosted his average to .310. He was batting just .150 just 11 games ago.

Here's the Duran home run to give the #Rangers a 2-0 lead. #StraightUpTX https://t.co/Y3P25c5u7h

— Matthew Postins (@PostinsPostcard) April 30, 2023

Texas managed just five hits off Yankees pitching, as starter Jhony Brito (2-3) took the loss after giving up Duran's home run. In fact, the bottom three spots in the order got it done for the Rangers. 

Duran, batting eighth, had two hits, as did Bubba Thompson, who was batting ninth. The only other hit came from Robbie Grossman, who batted seventh.

Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi (3-2) completed seven innings for the first time this season and met a milestone for Rangers starting pitching this season. 

Nathan Eovaldi will start the eighth. He will be the first #Rangers starter this season to pitch into the eighth inning. #StraightUpTX

— Matthew Postins (@PostinsPostcard) April 30, 2023

Eovaldi became the first Rangers starter to go the distance this season. He allowed three hits, no walks and struck out eight as he gave an overtaxed bullpen — one that had to eat up more than five innings in the wake of deGrom's departure on Friday — a much-needed respite.

The four-game series with the Yankees wraps up at 1:35 p.m. CT on Sunday. Martίn Pérez (3-1, 2.60) takes the hill for the Rangers against left-hander Nestor Cortes (3-1, 3.49). The Rangers have Monday off before hosting Arizona for two games starting Tuesday.

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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard

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