In a classic pitchers' duel under the Texas sky, the Arizona Diamondbacks edged the Rangers 1-0 on Monday night, thanks to a masterful performance by Michael Soroka and a timely first-inning hit from Geraldo Perdomo.
Soroka was in complete control, scattering just three singles over 6 1/3 scoreless innings to improve to 5-2 on the season. It was a welcome bounce-back for the right-hander, who suffered a 1-0 loss to Pittsburgh in his previous start. The Diamondbacks bullpen kept the pressure on, with Paul Sewald slamming the door in the ninth for his ninth save in as many chances.
The game's only run came early. After Corbin Carroll ripped a one-out double to left-center in the first inning, Perdomo followed by driving a pitch into the right-field corner for an RBI double. That single run proved to be all Arizona needed, as their pitchers have now surrendered just two runs over their last three games—a stretch that has produced the team's first three-game winning streak since mid-April.
Texas was forced to improvise on the mound after scheduled starter Nathan Eovaldi was scratched Monday morning with left side soreness. The Rangers turned to a bullpen game, with Jakob Junis making his first start since 2024. Junis worked a season-high 2 2/3 innings, but the early run snapped Texas pitching's streak of 20 consecutive scoreless innings—tied for the fourth-longest in MLB this season.
The Rangers' bullpen entered play with a majors-best 2.80 ERA, but they couldn't overcome Arizona's stingy pitching. Corey Seager, the hero of Texas's 2023 World Series victory over these same Diamondbacks, went 0-for-3 and left three runners on base. The shortstop is now hitless in his last 19 at-bats, his average slipping to .189.
There was a notable milestone for Arizona's Ketel Marte, who played in his 1,092nd career game, tying Paul Goldschmidt for second on the franchise's all-time list behind Luis Gonzalez (1,194). The Diamondbacks also showed defensive savvy when reliever Taylor Clarke picked off pinch-runner Sam Haggerty at first base in the eighth inning.
Both teams will look to carry momentum into Tuesday night, when Arizona's Zac Gallen (1-3, 4.70 ERA) faces Texas's MacKenzie Gore (2-3, 5.18) in a matchup of pitchers seeking their first wins since early April.