Overview

• The Texas Rangers knocked out Mets rookie Josh Tong after two outs during a 22-minute top of the first, staking deGrom to a 6-0 lead before he took the mound.
• DeGrom allowed three runs and four hits over seven innings, retiring his final 15 batters to lower his season ERA to 2.82.
• His fastball averaged 98 mph and topped at 99.6 mph, reinforcing a return to elite velocity following his Tommy John surgery in 2023.
• SNY’s Gary Cohen and the booth noted the muted reaction as he took the mound, contrasting with a pregame video montage set to his old warmup song, “Simple Man,” that drew applause during warmups.
• The homecoming unfolded as the Mets’ recent six-game skid and a four-game sweep by the Phillies left fans tense and their Wild Card standing shaky.