Overview

• Nathan Eovaldi returned from a brief back issue to pitch five scoreless innings, allowing three hits, walking four and striking out seven to lower his ERA to 1.50.
• Joey Wentz made his second start for Atlanta after being claimed off waivers, lasting 4⅓ innings and yielding four runs with six strikeouts and a walk.
• Texas’s offense produced eight runs by scoring in four of the first five innings, building a lead early and putting the game out of reach.
• The Rangers improved to 54-50, marking their first time above .500 since April 25 and cementing their emergence as a post–All-Star break contender.
• Atlanta fell to 44-58 with its third straight loss, and the series resumes Saturday with Grant Holmes facing Texas rookie Kumar Rocker.