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ARLINGTON, Texas — If the Texas Rangers are going to win the World Series, they will likely need Max Scherzer to make at least one more start, perhaps as many as three — and they will need him to perform a lot better than he did Wednesday night against the Astros, when he allowed five runs in four innings.

Making his first appearance in a major league game in 36 days, after being sidelined by a strained right shoulder, Scherzer struggled to command his slider, the pitch that has been a difference-maker for him throughout his career. The Rangers couldn’t make up the deficit, losing 8-5 to see their ALCS lead cut to 2-1.

“It comes down to execution,” said Scherzer, who talked over and again about how he was not able to complete pitches as he intended, his words tumbling quietly and quickly in front of his locker. “I know what I need to do.”

Scherzer’s first pitch was 95 mph, even more velocity than Rangers manager Bruce Bochy hoped for; given Scherzer’s long layoff, Bochy mentioned before the game that he’d be pleased if Scherzer reached 93 mph. And Scherzer spun his curveball effectively.

But his slider was not sharp, and he couldn’t wield it to finish off hitters, as he has so often in his career. Scherzer threw 13 sliders and allowed more hits (two) with the pitch than he generated missed swings.

As Astros second baseman Jose Altuve acknowledged after the game, this allowed the Houston hitters to narrow their focus and look for pitches to drive.

Altuve jumped a high fastball for a home run, among five hits that Scherzer allowed, and as Scherzer tried to establish his slider or an alternative, he hit Yordan Alvarez with a pitch, threw a wild pitch and issued a walk.

“He’s going to be a little rusty overall,” said Bochy, who pulled Scherzer after four innings and 63 pitches. “I was really pleased with his stuff. It’s only going to get better. … He feels good, that’s what important.”

As he left the field in the fourth inning, Scherzer stopped for a brief conversation with Bochy as he reached the dugout, with Bochy pointing toward the bullpen. Rookie left-hander Cody Bradford replaced him in the fifth.

“I was trying to communicate how I felt,” Scherzer said. “I’m not second-guessing any decisions, but it’s also my job as the starting pitcher to communicate how I feel. I still felt strong. I still feel like I could get outs. Then it’s up to them to make the decision whether they want to use me or not.”

The Rangers are listing left-hander Andrew Heaney as their probable starter for Game 4 on Thursday night. If Bochy keeps his rotation in its current alignment, Scherzer would be on track to start Game 7 in Houston.

“I don’t know exactly how I’ll be used from here on out,” Scherzer said. “But my arm feels good. That’s the No. 1 thing.”

Bochy talked about how, moving forward, Scherzer will play an important role for the Rangers.

“We did all we could to get him ready for this,” Bochy said of Scherzer. “He was ready. You saw the stuff. He’s one of our guys. There’s no regret on that.”

For a lot of September, there was doubt that Scherzer would pitch again this year, and step by step, he rebuilt arm strength, threw simulated games, spoke hopefully about wanting to contribute. His first attempt to help went badly; this was the Rangers’ first defeat after seven consecutive postseason wins.

Information from The Associated Press was included in this report.

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MLB: Iassogna crew chief, plate umpire for ASG

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MLB: Iassogna crew chief, plate umpire for ASG

NEW YORK — Dan Iassogna will be the umpire crew chief and work the plate during Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at Atlanta’s Truist Park.

His crew will include Marvin Hudson at first, Chris Segal at second, Jansen Visconti at third, Jeremie Rehak in left and Erich Bacchus in right, Major League Baseball said Thursday.

Iassogna, 56, will work his second All-Star Game. He was at third base for the 2011 game at Arizona.

He worked his first big league game in 1999, was hired to the major league staff in 2004 and appointed a crew chief ahead of the 2020 season. Iassogna umpired the World Series in 2012, ’17 and ’22 along with eight League Championship Series and seven Division Series.

Segal, Visconti, Rehak and Bacchus will work their first All-Star Games and Hudson his second after being in left field in 2004 at Houston.

Tony Randazzo will be the replay umpire in New York.

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A’s Rooker joins list of HR Derby participants

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A's Rooker joins list of HR Derby participants

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Athletics slugger Brent Rooker is adding his name to the list of Home Run Derby participants.

Rooker announced Thursday that he’s participating in the event, which takes place Monday in Atlanta. He will become the first Athletics player in the Home Run Derby since Matt Olson in 2021.

“Competing in the Home Run Derby has always been a dream of mine,” Rooker said in an Instagram post. “Can’t wait to make it happen next week in Atlanta! See ya there!”

Rooker, 30, entered Thursday with a .270 batting average, 19 homers and 50 RBIs, putting him on pace for a third straight season of at least 30 homers. He went deep 30 times in 2023 and had 39 homers in 2024.

His 58 homers since the start of the 2024 season rank him third among all American League players.

The only A’s to win the Derby were Mark McGwire in 1992 and Yoenis Céspedes in 2013 and 2014.

Other announced participants include Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr., Minnesota’s Byron Buxton, Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero, Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz, Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and Washington’s James Wood.

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Mets recall Acuna from Triple-A, DFA Jankowski

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Mets recall Acuna from Triple-A, DFA Jankowski

BALTIMORE — The New York Mets recalled 23-year-old utility man Luisangel Acuna from Triple-A Syracuse before Thursday’s split doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles.

The brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr., Luisangel Acuña went 13-for-45 (.286) for Syracuse after the Mets optioned him in late June.

Capable of playing second base, shortstop or the outfield, Acuna had batted .241 in 65 games before going to the minors.

“He was a big part of this team the first couple of months,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters. “We got to a point where we felt like, ‘Hey, let’s get him some everyday playing time. ‘And now it’s time for him to be back up here, continuing to help us win baseball games.”

In a corresponding move, the Mets designated outfielder Travis Jankowski for assignment.

Acuna was on the bench for New York’s first game of the doubleheader.

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