ARLINGTON, Texas — Max Kepler hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the seventh inning, and the National League East-leading Philadelphia Phillies rallied to defeat the Texas Rangers 3-2 on Saturday night, handing All-Star right-hander Jacob deGrom his third consecutive loss.
The Phillies trailed 1-0 into the seventh before Brandon Marsh singled with one out and Harrison Bader walked. Kepler then drove a full-count fastball into the right-field corner, scoring both runners. Bryson Stott followed with an RBI single off Rangers reliever Danny Coulombe, putting Philadelphia ahead 3-1.
“I was just trying to put the bat on the ball and make something happen,” Kepler said. “DeGrom’s tough, but we kept battling.”
Corey Seager led off the bottom of the eighth with his 17th home run, cutting the deficit to one.
The Rangers, however, could not push across the tying run as Phillies relievers Seranthony Domínguez and Jhoan Duran closed out the win. \
Duran, acquired at the trade deadline from Minnesota, worked a perfect ninth for his third save with Philadelphia and 19th overall.
Jesús Luzardo (11-5) allowed one run on four hits in six innings for the Phillies, striking out four and walking one.
“I just tried to keep us in it,” Luzardo said. “Our offense always gives us a chance.”
The Rangers scored first in the opening inning when Seager singled and scored on Wyatt Langford’s RBI single.
Texas threatened in the fourth when Adolis García doubled, but he was thrown out attempting to steal third. Jake Burger singled immediately after, a hit that likely would have scored García.
“That was a key moment,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “We didn’t capitalize, and it came back to hurt us.”
DeGrom (10-5) struck out eight and walked one in 6 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs. He had given up five runs in each of his previous two starts, part of a career-worst streak of allowing home runs in six straight games.
The last time deGrom lost three straight starts was in early 2019 with the New York Mets.
“He pitched well enough to win,” Bochy said. “We just didn’t get him enough support.”
The Phillies improved to 30-13 in road games when scoring at least two runs. The win kept them atop the NL East and continued their strong play away from home.
Zack Wheeler (9-5, 2.64 ERA) will try to reach 10 wins for the fifth consecutive season for Philadelphia in the series finale on Sunday. Left-hander Patrick Corbin (6-7, 3.91) is scheduled to start for Texas.
The Rangers, who have now dropped three straight, will look to salvage the final game of the series and avoid a sweep.