Jon Gray’s Season Debut with the Rangers

ARLINGTON — As Jon Gray entered the game Wednesday for his season debut, the lighting in Globe Life Field changed. Wolf howls emanated from the speakers and wolf graphics appeared on the video board, complete with animation.

It’s like they were waiting on him.

Whether we’re talking about the Rangers game presentation crew or manager Bruce Bochy, the answer is the same: Boy, were they ever.

The Rangers’ Recent Performance

The Rangers have gotten legitimately hot over the last two weeks. Their biggest need as they close in on playoff contention is a leverage reliever. It only became more glaring when Chris Martin yanked his calf muscle over the weekend. And then Gray rode in like a character out of Twilight, firing fastballs and sliders to give the Rangers two key scoreless innings in a 2-1 sweep-clinching win over the A’s, wherever they are from. It was like the Rangers debuted a key trade acquisition, a week before the trade deadline.

“Oh, I’d say it’s like that, when you get somebody like Gray to help you out,” Bochy said. “I did put him in a tough spot, but he handled it well. He’s got the kind of stuff you like late in the ballgame.”

Gray’s Impact on the Game

Or, as put by Jonah Heim, whose seventh-inning pop up turned into a game-winning double: “He’s going to be a weapon out there.”

Especially if his teammates make highlight-caliber plays behind him and the opponents make blooper-reel mistakes, as was the case in the sixth and seventh innings Wednesday. Entering a tie game, Gray’s first two sliders of the season, both to pinch-hitter Tyler Soderstrom weren’t particularly sharp, and Soderstrom drove the second toward the visiting bullpen in left center only to have Michael Helman leap to make a tumbling catch that saved two runs and ended the inning.

Game Highlights

Soderstrom played a key role when he entered on defense, nearly running over shortstop Jacob Wilson in the seventh. As both players backed away from Heim’s two-out pop fly, it fell between them. Wyatt Langford – all gas, no brakes – sped around from first to score on the play.

It all added up to the Rangers’ fifth win on the homestand with three remaining against Atlanta, pushed them to three games over .500, tied with Tampa Bay for the first spot out of the wild card and 1 ½ games behind both Seattle and Boston, which were tied for the second spot. Not a bad night’s work for an offense that managed only four hits, one of them the misplayed double.! But hot teams find ways to win, even if the opponent helps them occasionally find it.

Gray’s Bullpen Role

After the brief bout with a rusty slider, Gray looked much more like the guy the Rangers remembered from the 2023 postseason when he was a key weapon out of the bullpen. It was the first time he pitched in relief, but did it again last year after returning from since injuries. It left the Rangers very intrigued – so intrigued that there was talk he might be a candidate to close at the start of spring training. Didn’t materialize then. But he might be more valuable now as a multi-inning reliever. And here’s the thing: Gray likes the whole idea. Which is kinda key.

“It just feels more raw; I like it,” Gray said of the bullpen role. “It’s more just taking your best stuff and going in, instead of trying to create a specific plan to beat the whole offense three times.

“In this role, I knew I was facing each guy once, maybe twice, so it was just take your best stuff and go at him. And that was just easy for me. It freed me up a lot.”

Rangers’ Bullpen Performance

After the sixth-inning scare, Gray retired the side in order in the seventh, got the first two outs of the eighth before allowing a single. It set up perfectly to allow Bochy to use lefty Hoby Milner to face lefty Nick Kurtz. Then Robert Garcia pitched a perfect ninth for the save. It highlighted how the bullpen can work. Leading up to Martin’s injury, it had worked quite well recently. Since July 11, the bullpen has compiled a 1.24 ERA in 29 innings. For the year now, the bullpen has a 3.24 ERA, best in the AL, just ahead of Houston.

To make room for Gray on the 40-man roster, the Rangers designated Luke Jackson for assignment. Though he’d pitched well lately, Jackson had a 4.11 ERA, highest of any of the leverage relievers. Long man Caleb Boushley is now the only reliever with an ERA above four.

After the game, Gray still seemed amped up from his return, which he described as “intense.”

“It was tough at first, trying to ride all that energy in a positive way, but we got there eventually,” he said. “After [Helman] made that catch, I really settled down. I owe him a big ol’ hug; that’s for sure.”

A minute later, Gray said Helman’s catch was cool but…

“A strikeout would have been cooler.”

He laughed.

Conclusion

The Rangers are on a roll, and Jon Gray’s season debut has given them an extra boost. With their bullpen performing well and their offense finding ways to win, they are looking like a strong contender for the playoffs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Jon Gray and what is his role in the Rangers’ team?

A: Jon Gray is a pitcher for the Texas Rangers and has recently been used as a reliever, a role he seems to enjoy and excel in.

Q: How has the Rangers’ bullpen performed lately?

A: The Rangers’ bullpen has performed well, with a 1.24 ERA in 29 innings since July