Jon Gray Plays Hero From Bullpen, Texas Rangers Claim Game 3 World Series Win

Jon Gray's three near-perfect innings in relief of Max Scherzer helped secure a 3-1 World Series win for the Texas Rangers over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 3.

Jon Gray probably thought his night in Phoenix would be a quiet one. Maybe a few conversations with teammates in the bullpen as they began to stretch for Game 3 of the World Series, but nothing more.

Those plans changed in the bottom of the fourth Monday night at Chase Field. A phone call came to the 'pen at the top of the third, and No. 22 began to stretch. 

Gray, a strong candidate to start Game 4 Tuesday night for the Texas Rangers, scratched his plans and hurled fastballs at the Arizona Diamondbacks instead as the emergency relief pitcher Monday in a 3-1 victory. 

While pitching out of the bullpen isn't his normal deal, he's made it feel like home through three games of the Fall Classic. 

"This is the most important time of the year for us," a relived Gray said postgame. "We've worked so hard to get here and to be able to help and be a good part of this team, it feels amazing." 

Gray (1-0, 1.59 ERA) told reporters pregame he wasn't sure if he'd be Game 4's starter, stating he'd be comfortable in any role that helped the Rangers secure the victory. Consider that role activated once Max Scherzer began to wince once taking the mound for warmups in the bottom of the fourth. 

Scherzer, who tossed three scoreless innings, called over the training staff after a warmup pitch. In the second inning, the three-time Cy Young Award winner was drilled by a 92.6 mph line drive D-backs outfielder Alek Thomas line drive in the back that ricocheted into play. Third baseman Josh Jung recorded the out and Scherzer returned for another inning of scoreless baseball.

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Josh Sborz (66) pitches in the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 3 of the 2023 World Series at Chase Field / © Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

But that was all she wrote in Scherzer's first World Series appearance since 2019, and it was up to Gray to mitigate the damage and keep the Rangers ahead.

"They told me if he wasn't feeling good enough I'd have the next inning," said Gray. "I had plenty of time to warm up."

Much like in Game 1 back in Arlington, Gray lived up to the billing, tossing three shutout innings with three strikeouts. He allowed one hit — a single to Ketel Marte that bounced off Marcus Semien's glove — and worked his way out of the jam with back-to-back punchouts on Corbin Carroll and Geraldo Perdomo.

"Jon Gray came in and did a great job for us," Scherzer said. "He really saved us. He pitched great, got the ball to [Josh] Sborz, and then Chappy [Aroldis Chapman] and [Jose] Leclerc to close it out."

Gray's second postseason stint at Chase Field fared better than his first. In 2017 as a member of the Colorado Rockies, the right-hander lasted just 1 1/3 innings, as he allowed seven hits, four runs and a home run. He struck out two as he threw just 41 pitches as the D-backs advanced past Colorado 5-4 in the Wild Card Round. 

Of Gray's 30 pitches thrown, 25 were strikes. Gray's fastball/slider combo forced five swing and misses and only three of the 10 batters faced saw more than four pitches.

"Night and day for sure," said Gray. "A little different coming out of the bullpen, too, but then again, it was nice to be able to come back here and have a good feeling. It was really important to me." 

The role of bullpen bully isn't in Gray's repertoire. Before the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros, the 31-year-old right-hander threw one inning in relief, coming back in 2019 against the San Diego Padres. 

And no, the Rangers didn't hand Gray a four-year, $56 million contract back in 2021 to come in for relief duty. His five-pitch arsenal was meant to start, as evident by his 9-8 regular season record. 

This postseason, though, Gray's been all about adapting. In three relief appearances, Gray has allowed four hits and struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings. He's been the unsung hero of the Rangers' pitching staff and continues to lead by example. 

The example on Monday? Flexibility. 

"I've been focused in on execution," Gray said. "Just turning to one pitch at a time and everything else takes care of itself. I feel like I used to try to force things and get in my own way to get behind guys. Right now, it just feels easy to attack the zone." 

Gray, who missed the first two series with forearm tightness, is more than content pitching outside his comfort zone, so long as the World Series trophy comes home to Arlington. 

Said Gray: "Helping the team is all I can ask for."

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