Jacob deGrom Shines in Rangers Return to Citi Field as Texas Tops Mets 8-3 on September 12, 2025

Friday, September 12th, 2025

Texas Rangers Surge Past New York Mets 8-3 at Citi Field

The Texas Rangers cruised to an 8-3 victory over the New York Mets on Friday night at Citi Field, powered by a potent first-inning offensive explosion and a stellar homecoming start from Jacob deGrom. This win handed the Mets their third seven-game losing streak of the season, a feat not seen since 1980 for New York.

deGrom Shines in Return to Citi Field

Jacob deGrom, a former Mets ace and two-time Cy Young Award winner, was handed a comfortable six-run cushion before he even took to the mound. In his return to Queens with Texas, deGrom (12-7) delivered in dominant fashion, allowing three runs on just four hits over seven innings. He retired the final 15 Mets batters he faced, reminding fans of his power and poise in high-stakes situations.

Rangers Strike Early and Hold the Lead

The Rangers wasted no time, chasing Mets rookie starter Jonah Tong after just two outs in the first inning. In a 22-minute top half, Tong (1-2) surrendered six runs on four hits and three walks, all on changeups. Texas batters Josh Jung and Alejandro Osuna contributed RBI singles, Cody Freeman drove a two-run single, and Michael Helman capped the inning with a two-run double. Freeman’s single pushed the lead to 4-0, a key moment in establishing the Rangers’ early dominance.

Texas Thrives Despite Key Injuries

Texas continues to soar, winning 15 of their last 19 games and five straight, even while missing big names like Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Evan Carter, and Adolis García due to injuries. The Rangers remain locked in the AL West race, starting the night two games back of both Houston and Seattle, and also two games out in the battle for the last AL Wild Card berth.

Mets Struggles Continue in Critical Stretch

Boos echoed through Citi Field as New York began its final homestand of the season on a sour note. The Mets’ offense was stalled by deGrom after a brief rally in the third inning. Francisco Alvarez hit a home run while Juan Soto and Pete Alonso each contributed sacrifice flies, but the Mets couldn’t overcome the early deficit. Pinch-hitter Dylan Moore put the game out of reach for Texas with a two-run homer in the seventh inning.

Notable Stats and Milestones

Cody Freeman’s single in the first extended Texas’ lead to 4-0—a pivotal juncture in the contest. Meanwhile, Mets hitters went without a baserunner for 29 consecutive plate appearances until Mark Vientos’ one-out single in the second inning broke the streak. Tong’s short outing was also the briefest for a Mets starter since David Peterson in September 2022.

Up Next

The series continues Saturday with Rangers lefty Patrick Corbin (7-9, 4.36 ERA) set to face Mets rookie right-hander Brandon Sproat (0-1, 4.50 ERA).

In summary

The Texas Rangers maintained their hot stretch with a decisive 8-3 win over the slumping New York Mets, led by a commanding return from Jacob deGrom and an explosive first-inning rally. While the Mets continue to struggle at a critical point in the playoff race, the Rangers push forward in both the AL West and Wild Card standings, proving their resilience despite significant injuries to key players. This matchup further highlights the Rangers’ momentum and the Mets’ ongoing search for consistency down the stretch of the MLB season.

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