ARLINGTON -- A wolf appeared on the screen at Globe Life Field, howling in front of the moon, as Jon Gray’s warm-up song, “Thunderkiss ’65” by White Zombie echoed through the ballpark.
The Gray Wolf was returning, and it wasn’t in a particularly low-stress situation during the Rangers’ 2-1 victory over the Athletics on Wednesday night.
Gray entered the series finale in relief of Rangers starter Patrick Corbin. The A’s had just tied the game, 1-1, in the sixth inning, and runners were on the corners with two outs.
Tyler Soderstrom gave one a ride, but thanks to a leaping grab at the wall, Gray escaped the jam left to him by Corbin and the defense.
“It was just really intense,” Gray said. “I was just remembering how tough the bullpen was, how different it was -- just the energy and trying to maintain that and ride the energy in a positive way. But we got there eventually.
“The first couple of pitches weren't that great, but we settled down for the last two innings. It was a lot of fun to get back out there.”
The Rangers right-hander finished with two scoreless innings of relief, securing his first win since July 23, 2024. Gray opened the regular season on the injured list after he fractured his right forearm midway through Spring Training, when he was struck by a comebacker.
Gray also spent the last six weeks of 2024 on the injured list with a right foot neuroma that required offseason surgery. Gray, on top of everything, was just amped to be back on the mound and helping the team.
“Making rehab starts in Minor Leagues and then going into the Major League bullpen, the energy is a lot different,” he said. “It was awesome to have fun again and get out there and really help the team.”
Gray immediately contributed, helping Texas to its fifth series sweep of the year. The Rangers’ pitching staff has been one of the best in baseball this season and it has gotten even better since the break.
The Rangers have allowed two or fewer runs in seven straight games since July 13, tied for the longest such streak in Texas history (since 1972) with another seven-game run from Sept. 20-27, 1983.
Getting Gray back from injury at this time is almost like a Trade Deadline acquisition.
“You get somebody like Gray to help you out, sure, sure, I see that,” said manager Bruce Bochy. “It's good to see him out there. I'm sure he was glad to be back, excited. I did put him in a tough spot, but he handled it well. He's got the kind of stuff you like late in the ballgame, too. He's a weapon.”
Down the stretch, Gray is likely to be a swingman of sorts. His best use is likely as a multi-inning reliever, though Bochy emphasized that it’s not outside the realm of possibility that the Rangers decide to use him for spot starts, especially considering the injury history of the existing rotation.
Gray -- who is in the final year of a four-year, $56 million contract -- has spent his entire career as a starter. He posted a 4.21 ERA across his first three seasons with the Rangers, though he allowed just one run in 5 2/3 innings as a reliever in the postseason in 2023 and one run across seven relief innings in ’24.
Now, in six career regular-season relief appearances, Gray owns a 0.96 ERA with just five hits allowed in 9 1/3 innings.
Gray readily admits he wasn’t exactly comfortable with pitching in relief back in 2023, but it’s something that he has grown to enjoy over the last couple of years. He has felt it’s easier to clear his mind when he doesn’t have the pressure of facing every hitter three times a game.
“With starting, I’m trying to get guys out multiple times with different pitches,” Gray explained. “It can be fun, but it's a lot easier to just go in there with your best stuff [as a reliever]. It feels a little more raw. I like it.
“Relieving is a different feeling. I remember doing it the first couple of times, you feel really fast. It's hard to really keep your mechanics and tempo in sync. I'm not really worried about that part at all now. I'm just excited to help out any way I can. It's 60 feet, 6 inches, and just get the guy out. It’s the same thing.”