Jacob deGrom excels as Rangers blank Nationals

Jacob deGrom pitched seven strong innings, Marcus Semien had two hits and drove in three runs and the Texas Rangers beat the Washington Nationals 5-0 on Saturday.

The 36-year-old deGrom (6-2) allowed two hits and didn't walk a batter while striking out eight. He has allowed two runs or less in ten consecutive starts and his ERA for the season is 2.12.

Semien singled home a run in the first and added a two-run double in the eighth. Sam Haggerty had three hits and scored twice for Texas, which had lost four straight.

Washington starter Mitchell Parker (4-6) nearly matched deGrom. The lefthander gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits over six innings. He struck out five without a walk.

After being shut out 2-0 on Friday night, the Rangers jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead on Saturday. Haggerty led off the game with a single and with one out, Josh Jung singled. Semien singled to center and when the ball got by centerfielder Robert Hassell III both runners scored and Semien went all the way to third.

Nathaniel Lowe singled off deGrom with one out in the second. With two outs, Alex Call was hit by a pitch but deGrom struck out Keibert Ruiz.

Semien walked leading off the seventh against Cole Henry and went to second on a balk. After Jake Burger walked, Henry retired the next two batters before walking Kyle Higashioka to load the bases. Andrew Chafin came on and retired Josh Smith to end the inning.

In the eighth, Haggerty and Wyatt Langford opened with singles against Eduardo Salazar. With one out, Semien doubled to left center, scoring both runners. Semien scored to make it 5-0 when Adolis Garcia blooped a two-out single to center.

The Nationals got the first two batters on in the bottom half against Luke Jackson, but Ruiz grounded into a double play and Jose Tena grounded out.

--Field Level Media