Alex Speas struck out his first three batters in his big league debut for the Texas Rangers, getting two outs with his first one when All-Star catcher Jonah Heim threw out a runner trying to steal second base.
Heaney (6-6) allowed six hits and one walk in 5 1/3 innings, striking out four. “It was really nice to get out there and feel a little more like myself,” said Heaney, who said he worked with pitching coach Mike Maddux over the All-Star break. Grant Anderson relieved with runners at the corners and got Tyler Freeman to ground into a double play.
Major League Baseball’s All-Star break has already delivered fireworks, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. winning the Home Run Derby, 16 years after his dad had achieved the same feat.
Adolis García and Corey Seager homered, rookie Cody Bradford earned his first major league victory, and the Texas Rangers defeated the Washington Nationals 7-2 Friday night in the opener of a three-game series. Garcia and Josh Jung each drove in two runs for Texas, which had dropped six of eight. The Rangers assured themselves of entering the All-Star break with at least a share of the AL West lead.