Jacob deGrom wanted to stay with Rangers, and extends their win streak with 9 Ks

Arlington, Texas (AP) — Jacob deGrom expressed his belief in the Texas Rangers and his desire to stay with the team before the trade deadline. The two-time Cy Young winner went on to pitch a stellar game, striking out nine batters in five innings, leading the Rangers to a 5-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. This win marked the Rangers' fourth consecutive win since a six-game losing streak, which had previously eliminated them from the first place in the AL West.

DeGrom, who has a full no-trade clause in his contract, was checked by at least one playoff-contending team before the deadline. Despite dealing with hip discomfort, deGrom delivered an impressive performance, walking just one batter and allowing only a solo home run to Jackson Holliday. Manager Skip Schumaker praised deGrom's "vintage" performance, emphasizing the pitcher's ability to strike out batters and limit contact.