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Braves lose third in row as Rangers win series opener

AP photo by Tony Gutierrez / Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson stretches for the throw as Texas Rangers batter Wyatt Langford runs and first base coach Corey Ragsdale looks on in the second inning of Friday night's game in Arlington, Texas. Olson made the catch, and Langford was out on the play.
AP photo by Tony Gutierrez / Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson stretches for the throw as Texas Rangers batter Wyatt Langford runs and first base coach Corey Ragsdale looks on in the second inning of Friday night's game in Arlington, Texas. Olson made the catch, and Langford was out on the play.

By The Associated Press 3 min read

ARLINGTON, Texas — Nathan Eovaldi pitched three-hit ball over five scoreless innings in his first start since the midseason break for the MLB All-Star Game, and the Texas Rangers beat the Atlanta Braves 8-3 on Friday night to open a three-game interleague series at Globe Life Field.

Eovaldi (8-3) threw 53 of his 86 pitches for strikes as the American League’s Rangers extended their winning streak to four games. The 35-year-old right-hander struck out seven batters but walked a season-high four.

The National League’s Braves have lost three games in a row and five of seven since the break.

It was also Eovaldi’s first start since the Rangers paid him a $100,000 MLB All-Star Game bonus even though the 35-year-old wasn’t selected despite a 7-3 record and a 1.58 ERA. An All-Star in 2021 and 2023, he missed his first start after the break — a matchup with 2025 AL All-Star starter Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers — with back tightness.

Texas designated hitter Sam Haggerty singled against Joey Wentz (2-2) to lead off the game before stealing his 10th base of the season and scoring on a sacrifice fly by Marcus Semien for a 1-0 lead.