New Texas Rangers pitcher MacKenzie Gore delivered a strong debut, while Brandon Nimmo and Andrew McCutchen hit their first homers for the club in an 8-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. The victory capped the season-opening series after a taxing Saturday game. Manager Skip Schumaker praised the newcomers' contributions amid a thin bullpen.
PHILADELPHIA -- MacKenzie Gore, acquired from the Washington Nationals on January 22, held the Phillies hitless through five innings in his Rangers debut. He struck out seven over 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks before exiting with bases loaded in the sixth. Cole Winn relieved him and limited the damage to one inherited run on a sacrifice fly, with Gore having struck out Bryce Harper earlier in the inning but hitting Alec Bohm to score the first Phillies run. A swinging bunt single by Justin Crawford ended Gore's no-hit bid, exploiting a defensive shift with Josh Jung playing near shortstop. The Rangers needed length from Gore after Jacob deGrom was scratched from his season debut the day before, extending Saturday's game to 10 innings in a 5-4 win. “We needed him to get at least into the sixth inning with the way our bullpen was set up, and three or four guys down,” Schumaker said. “He was not only on the attack, but he got us into the sixth inning. It was exactly what we wanted.” Gore credited his success to avoiding the heart of the plate against a familiar lineup. “I know this team pretty well,” he said. “We stayed out of the heart of the plate for the most part, executed enough.” Andrew McCutchen, signed to a Minor League deal on March 6 and added to the Opening Day roster, went 2-for-4 with a double, a three-run homer off Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo in the fourth, three RBIs, and two runs scored. He also delivered the game-winning RBI single in Saturday's win. Brandon Nimmo also homered for his first with Texas. Schumaker highlighted McCutchen's impact: “He’s still got something left, and more. Those were some big hits he's had in the last couple games. Luzardo, we know how tough he can be.” McCutchen shared a light moment with Phillies fan Dave Osokow after his homer, apologizing with a shrug and laugh while jogging back to the dugout.
