PHOENIX — The Rangers went from graybeard to Gray on Monday in reclaiming the lead in this World Series.
Max Scherzer’s latest malady is back tightness, an ailment that ended his night after three scoreless innings, but the Rangers were fortunate to have a solid reinforcement in waiting.
Jon Gray, previously a candidate to start Tuesday, emerged from the Rangers bullpen and delivered three scoreless innings in the team’s 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks in Game 3 of the World Series at Chase Field.
In taking a 2-1 lead in this best-of-seven series, the Rangers established a major league record with their ninth straight road victory to begin a postseason.
The 39-year-old Scherzer had back issues earlier this season that forced the Mets to push him back in the rotation at least once, but never sent him to the injured list.
Scherzer had a strained teres major muscle near his shoulder late in the season that landed him on the IL and forced him to miss the ALDS.