Jacob deGrom came within eight outs of baseball immortality yesterday. The Rangers’ ace sat down 18 consecutive Orioles batters through six perfect innings, throwing with surgical precision. His mastery began to show cracks in the seventh inning when he issued a leadoff walk to Jackson Holliday, followed by another free pass to Ryan O’Hearn later in the frame. Yet deGrom navigated through the two-walk seventh inning with his no-hitter intact, showcasing the veteran poise that has defined his comeback season. Then Colton Cowser‘s eighth-inning single shattered the silence at Camden Yards, ending what could have been deGrom’s first career no-hitter.
Cowser emerged as Baltimore’s breakout star in 2024, hitting 24 homers with a .242/.321/.447 slash line after struggling in his 2023 debut. The young outfielder entered Wednesday’s game riding strong momentum but had managed just one hit in his previous ten at-bats. The moment that followed revealed everything about deGrom’s competitive fire. Standing on the mound after surrendering his only hit, he looked directly at Cowser and delivered an honest confession that cut through baseball’s typical corporate speech: “I even stood over there and said to [Cowser], like, ‘Dang it, I wanted that.”
“He’s so efficient, so effective, that it makes it really tough to square him up.” – @Anthony_Recker on Jacob deGrom https://t.co/rdoAfsO1EV pic.twitter.com/VLzmtH3f4j
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 26, 2025
That vulnerability caught the attention of former MLB catcher Anthony Recker, who recognized something profound in deGrom’s dominant performance. “The profile is similar to what we saw from Jacob deGrom when he was at the height of his powers, when he was blowing 103 and 102, it seemed like every pitch… He hits three spots, and he does it so consistently with those three pitches that it’s just really hard for hitters because he’s so efficient, so effective, that it makes it tough to square him up.” Recker said this on MLB Network.
The crowd watched closely as deGrom pitched for the Rangers on Wednesday night. For six innings, he was perfect—no Orioles player reached base. In the seventh inning, he walked two batters, but still, no one had a hit. Then, at the start of the eighth inning, Cowser stepped up for the Orioles. He hit a hard ground ball to right field, breaking up deGrom’s no-hitter. The fans cheered, knowing they had witnessed something special. The two-time Cy Young Award winner finished with seven strikeouts. He threw 89 pitches, 59 of them for strikes, before leaving the game after Cowser’s hit. His record for the season is now 7-2.
DeGrom maintained his characteristic focus despite the near-perfection: “When I’m out there, I try to take it one pitch at a time and try to hit my spot. And if I miss, go back to that mentality and just try to make the next pitch.” His methodical approach has paid dividends this season, posting an 8-2 record through 16 starts after missing significant time because of Tommy John surgery. The performance extended his franchise-record streak to 13 consecutive starts, allowing two runs or fewer, marking a triumphant return to his Cy Young-caliber form.
Rangers left in awe of Jacob deGrom’s dominant display
The Rangers’ dugout applauded Jacob deGrom when he touched perfection in a masterpiece against the Baltimore Orioles. Manager Bruce Bochy said deGrom was pitching very well and was going to allow him an opportunity to complete a no-hitter, showing the confidence that the skipper had in his ace, even though the team had a normal pitch count limit. Bochy was being enthusiastic, talking about how he had watched deGrom pitch seven innings of no-hits. “We had a nice lead, and he’s so fun to watch. He really is. I’ve said this. I’m a fan when he’s pitching,” the manager said.
Behind the plate, catcher Jonah Heim had a front-row seat to deGrom’s dominance and was effusive in his praise. “That’s the best I’ve ever seen him since he came over here,” Heim said, noting how deGrom was commanding all four pitches for strikes with surgical precision. The catcher emphasized that his job was simplified to merely calling pitches, as deGrom executed each one flawlessly.
The collective reaction from the Rangers’ organization reflected not just admiration for a stellar performance but genuine pride in deGrom’s remarkable comeback journey from Tommy John surgery. Their support underscored the special nature of witnessing a generational talent return to his dominant form.
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