Jacob deGrom surrendered four solo home runs as the Texas Rangers fell 4-1 to the Houston Astros on Saturday night, May 17, 2026. The blasts came from Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Christian Walker and Zach Cole, turning a promising start into a rough outing for the former Cy Young winner.
DeGrom entered the game with a season ERA of 2.91, the lowest among Rangers starters, but his fastball location drifted early, prompting the Astros to capitalize in the second inning. “That’s frustrating,” he said after the game, adding he “was fighting myself to throw the ball where I wanted to, and wasn’t able to make an in‑game adjustment.”
What triggered the four solo shots?
DeGrom’s command slipped on his first pitch, gifting Altuve a clean drive to left‑center. Alvarez followed with a towering line to deep right, while Walker and Cole each found the gaps with isolated blows that piled up a 4‑1 scoreboard. The numbers reveal that DeGrom had allowed only three homers in his previous 13 innings, making this surge an outlier in an otherwise stingy season.
How did Texas react on the field?
Rangers manager Chris Woodward kept DeGrom in the game through five innings, trusting his ace to settle down. The defense missed two double‑play opportunities, and the offense managed just one run on a solo single by Jon Singleton. After the loss, DeGrom accepted responsibility, saying he “did not do a good job of putting us in a good position to win a game.”
Rangers’ broader pitching picture
Texas sits third in the AL West, a half‑game behind the Houston Astros and a full game ahead of the Seattle Mariners, according to MLB.com. DeGrom’s 2.91 ERA still anchors the rotation, yet rookie right‑hander Luis García posts a 4.12 ERA over his first ten starts, highlighting the staff’s unevenness. When DeGrom arrived in Texas last winter, the front office hoped his veteran poise would steady a staff that had surrendered the league‑worst 5.32 runs per nine innings in 2024. Instead, the club has swung between dominant outings and puzzling lapses, a pattern that could force a mid‑season bullpen reshuffle if the trend continues.
Key Developments
- DeGrom entered the contest with a season ERA of 2.91, the lowest among Rangers starters.
- The four solo homers marked the most he has allowed in a single game since his 2023 Mets season.
- Houston’s pitchers struck out 10 Rangers batters, underscoring the contrast in pitching effectiveness.
- Rangers are 48‑42 overall and sit .500 above the AL West median, a modest climb from their 2024 finish in fifth place.
- DeGrom’s fastball velocity has dipped to an average 94.2 mph, down from 96.5 mph in 2024, raising questions about his long‑term durability.
What’s next for DeGrom and Texas?
Going forward, the Rangers must decide whether to tweak DeGrom’s pitch mix or give him a brief rest to regain confidence. If the location woes persist, the front office could explore bullpen support or a spot start on the road. Meanwhile, fantasy owners should monitor his strikeout rate and potential injury flags before making lineup moves.
How many solo home runs has Jacob deGrom allowed this season?
As of May 17, 2026, DeGrom has given up seven solo home runs, three of which came before the Astros game.
What was Jacob deGrom’s strikeout total in the Astros loss?
DeGrom recorded six strikeouts over five innings, a drop from his season average of 9.2 K/9.
Has DeGrom historically struggled with solo homers?
During his 2023 Mets tenure, DeGrom allowed a career‑high nine solo shots in a single season, making the May 2026 outburst his most severe since that campaign.
What is the length of DeGrom’s current contract with Texas?
DeGrom signed a two‑year, $32 million extension in December 2025 that runs through the 2027 season, with an opt‑out after 2026.
How does DeGrom’s performance impact Texas’ playoff chances?
If DeGrom returns to his sub‑1.00 ERA baseline, the Rangers improve their odds of overtaking the Astros for the AL West lead; prolonged struggles could push them into a wild‑card scramble.