Rowdy Tellez’s two-run single in the eighth provided the winning runs and backed Nathan Eovaldi’s superb eight innings of one-hit pitching as the Texas Rangers beat the slumping New York Yankees 2-0 on Tuesday in the second of a three-game series in Arlington, Texas.
Tellez’s bases-loaded game-winning hit off Yankees closer Devin Williams (3-4) drove in Adolis Garcia, who had doubled, and Joc Pederson, who had walked. Williams struggled for the second straight game after surrendering the game-tying home run to Pederson in the ninth on Monday in a game the Rangers won 8-5 in 10 innings.
Eovaldi (10-3), the American League pitcher of the month for July, retired the first eight batters he faced until a two-out double in the third by Anthony Volpe. That was only baserunner he would allow, leaving after eight innings for the newly acquired Phil Maton, who earned his third save of the season and first for the Rangers.
Eovaldi’s one-hit, no-walk appearance included six strikeouts and lowered his ERA from 1.49 to 1.38, which would lead MLB in the category by almost three-quarters of a run if he was eligible.
The Rangers won for the third time in four games and clinched the series with New York. The Yankees, who managed just two hits despite return of slugger Aaron Judge from the injured list, have lost five straight games.
Yankees starter Will Warren was nearly as good over his five-inning stint Tuesday, allowing three hits and three walks while fanning five.
Pederson doubled to open the fourth off of Warren and became the first runner to reach third base in the game when he advanced on a ground out. Warren wiggled off the hook by coaxing Tellez into a pop up and striking out Jonah Heim.
Camilo Doval and Luke Weaver pitched scoreless sixth and seventh innings, respectively, for the Yankees.
Maton gave up a lead-off single to Ryan McMahon in the ninth before pinch hitter Giancarlo Stanton grounded into a double play and Trent Grisham struck out.
–Field Level Media
