Texas Rangers Explode Behind Eovaldi, Topple Phillies

The Texas Rangers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday en route to the series win behind Nathan Eovaldi and an another offensive explosion.

Kade Kistner | Apr 2, 2023

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ARLINGTON, Texas - Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi picked up his first win with his new team after pitching five innings and allowing just three earned runs while striking out six. The offense exploded behind him, led by a Marcus Semien leadoff home run and two three-run homers from Mitch Garver.

The Rangers (2-0) added 16 runs to their tally this season, bringing their total to 27 in just the first two games. Against the reigning National League champions Philadelphia Phillies no less.

But for Eovaldi, Saturday meant something a little bit more to him than just making his Rangers debut. A native of Alvin, Texas, Eovaldi was taking part in a homecoming of sorts.

Were there any added emotions or feelings for this start?

Absolutely.

"Yeah I mean it's definitely exciting," Eovaldi said. "I take a lot of pride anytime I step out on the mound and have that first one in front of all the fans. They really showed out today. The love and support was there. It was a nice day, even with the roof open, fielding sun balls out there in right. Other than that, it was awesome being out there and being able to compete."

Eovaldi didn't disappoint. Even with a slow ramp up this spring due to left side tightness, Eovaldi looked to be in mid-season form. His fastball was routinely hitting 97 mph and his slider was an effective put-away pitch, aiding in his six strikeouts.

It's also much easier to pitch when your offense spots you runs. Semien's leadoff home run gave Eovaldi and Texas a lead they would never relinquish.

Much like Opening Day, once the runs started coming for the Rangers they just didn't seem to stop.

Philadelphia (0-2) tried to make some noise in the fourth inning, plating two runs and cutting Texas' lead in half to 4-2. The Phillies then kept it interesting by adding one more in the fifth bringing the score to 4-3.

And that's where any hope of momentum for Philadelphia died.

In the bottom of the fifth, Garver launched his first of two three-run home runs. It was a 381-foot blast to left field that left the bat at 107 mph and scored Josh Jung and Adolis García.

Garver added another three-run shot to left in the seventh that traveled 408 feet.

It was the nail in the coffin and ensured Eovaldi his first win in a Rangers uniform.

The Rangers would go on to tack six more runs to make it an unexpected 16-3 victory. It even prompted the Phillies to bring in infielder Josh Harrison to pitch the eighth inning.

It's only the second game of the season and the earliest the Phillies have asked a position player to pitch.

Most people outside of the organization didn't think the Texas offense was capable of an offensive showing like the two produced so far. Especially against aces like Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy acknowledged as much.

"Yeah I think so, too," Bochy said. "It's a deep back end. ... It's a lineup that can do damage everywhere. It's not just a lineup that depends on your core guys. It's a fun lineup to watch."

Fun to watch indeed.

Texas will have the chance to go for the sweep of the Phillies on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. First pitch is scheduled for 6:08 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.