Pérez, Jung Power Texas Rangers to Phillies Sweep

The Texas Rangers completed a three-game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies as Martin Pérez and Josh Jung led the way on Sunday Night Baseball.

Kade Kistner | Apr 2, 2023

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Texas Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas - It's been a decade since the Texas Rangers were on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball at home. It was an opportunity they relished as the Rangers have plenty to prove during the 2023 MLB season.

Texas (3-0) continued its hot start, fighting its way to a 2-1 victory and sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies at Globe Life Field in just two hours and 24 minutes.

Martin Pérez (1-0) won his season debut, throwing 5 2/3 innings of one-run baseball. The lefty struck out seven and worked around eight hits.

Phillies starter Bailey Falter (0-1) took the loss after pitching 5 1/3 innings and giving up two earned runs.

Rangers third baseman Josh Jung helped complete the sweep with a solo home run in the second inning to get the scoring started.

It was the first long ball of the season for the rookie who finally entered the season as the starting third baseman after injuries plagued his last several campaigns.

Josh Jung’s HR off of a 90mph sinker from Falter. pic.twitter.com/YEUJcfo7lB
— Kade Kistner (@KadeKistner) April 2, 2023

Marcus Semien drove in Mitch Garver in the fifth for the Rangers' second run. However, Semien was thrown out at second after trying to stretch it into a double.

Philadelphia's lone run came off of Pérez in the fourth inning. Texas relievers Brock Burke, Jonathan Hernández and Will Smith kept the Phillies off the board for the remainder of the game. The latter recorded his first save of the season.

It was an excellent showing from the entire Texas pitching staff.

In a series that featured matchups such as Aaron Nola vs. Jacob deGrom and Zack Wheeler vs. Nathan Eovaldi, the contest between Falter and Pérez is the one that produced the pitchers' duel. On national television, no less.

The Rangers put their unbeaten streak on the line Monday when they host the Baltimore Orioles at 7:05 p.m. CT.

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Published Apr 2, 2023

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.