Texas Ranges Starter Jon Gray Exits At Los Angeles Angels With Injury

After six crisp innings, Texas Rangers starter Jon Gray leaves against the Los Angeles Angels after warming up in the seventh.

Texas Rangers starter Jon Gray was having his best outing in weeks, cruising through six innings in the series opener Monday night at the Los Angeles Angels.

Gray, however, couldn’t even throw a pitch in the seventh at Angel Stadium.

After warming up to start the inning, something wasn’t right for Gray. Rangers catcher Jonah Heim came to the mound, and was soon joined by manager Bruce Bochy, pitching coach Mike Maddux and trainer Matt Lucero.

After a short conversation with an obviously frustrated Gray, the decision was made to end his night. He walked off the field with Lucero and was replaced by Jonathan Hernández with Texas leading 4-1.

The Rangers ended up winning 5-1 and Gray improved to 9-8.

The club reported that Gray was dealing with tightness in his right wrist. The right-hander’s final line was six innings, allowing one run on five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.

Bochy offered optimism regarding Gray postgame.

“It’s mild,” Bochy said. “We don’t think it’s anything serious, but we didn’t want to risk anything there. That’s why took him out. Could he have pitched? Probably, but we’ll get it looked at and see where we’re at. We think he’s going to be fine.”

It was the longest start for Gray since going six innings against the New York Mets on Aug. 28. In that last start against the Boston Red Sox, he only went 2 1/3 innings, giving up four hits, four earned runs and one walk. He only struck out one hitter. Gray has struggled down the stretch, with a 0-3 record and 6.46 ERA in his last seven starts.

The Texas staff has dealt with injuries all season, including Max Scherzer hoping to return from the injured list. Jacob deGrom was lost for the year in June.

The Rangers (88-68) have won six in a row and held their 2.5-game lead over the Houston Astros in the American League West. Texas lowered its magic number to four to clinch the division title.

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