ARLINGTON -- MacKenzie Gore wanted the ball. It was as simple as that.
When ace Jacob deGrom’s final start of the first half of the season had to be delayed due to a mild left glute strain, the Rangers were facing a potential bullpen game against the in-state-rival Astros in the series finale.
Instead of challenging an already overworked bullpen in an important game, Gore stepped up on short rest and offered to start.
“He came in and said, ‘I want the ball. I'm ready,’” manager Skip Schumaker said. “That was the conversation. Obviously, I can't just say yes. There's some people that I have to make sure that it’s OK that I do give him the ball today. But everyone felt good about his health. As long as that all checked out, we were good to go.
“He's an unbelievable teammate, competitor. He always wants the ball. He's a 10 out of 10 competitor, and I think after the last start too, I think he really wants this start to go into the second half in a positive direction.”
Gore ultimately allowed one run -- a Jose Altuve solo shot -- in four strong innings to put the Rangers pitching staff on his back and set up Brandon Nimmo to hit a walk-off single in a 6-5 win over the Astros.
Four days ago, Gore allowed a season-high seven runs in five innings in what would have been his final start of the first half. Now, he doesn’t have to sit with that one going into the break. Both he and the Rangers as a whole can finish the first half on a positive note.
This isn't the first time Gore has attempted to step up in this way. On Opening Weekend, when deGrom had to be scratched against the Phillies due to neck stiffness, Gore offered to pitch that day, but Schumaker wouldn’t allow him.
Just two weeks ago, when Nathan Eovaldi was scratched from his start against the Padres, Gore took the ball and delivered a quality start in a Rangers’ 6-4 loss.
“[Gore’s] been great,” deGrom said. “He wants the ball. Obviously I feel bad not being able to go or whatever and getting scratched from this start, but you know Mac wants to step in any way he can. It says a lot about the competitor he is. … he wants the ball. He’s gonna take it. It’s cool to see.”