PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — MacKenzie Gore’s dominant Texas debut and a pair of timely home runs powered the Rangers to an 8-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park, securing a series win in the season-opening set between the 2025 league champions.

In a game where the Phillies were heavy statistical favorites, the Rangers defied projections by roughing up Philadelphia starter Jesús Luzardo and riding Gore’s arm to their second straight win. Texas took two of three in the series after dropping the opener, improving to 2-1. The reigning National League East champion Phillies fell to 1-2.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the middle innings, transforming a tight contest into a comfortable Rangers lead. After Brandon Nimmo’s two-run homer in the third gave Texas a 2-0 edge, the Rangers broke it open in the fourth against Luzardo. Following a Corey Seager walk and a Jake Burger single, veteran designated hitter Andrew McCutchen launched a three-run shot to left field, extending the lead to 5-0 and effectively seizing control of the game.

That cushion was more than enough for Gore, the centerpiece of an offseason trade with Washington. The left-hander was brilliant, carrying a no-hitter through five innings before it was softly broken up by Justin Crawford’s leadoff infield single in the sixth. Gore’s command wavered slightly thereafter, as he walked a batter and allowed a run-scoring single before striking out Bryce Harper with the bases loaded for a pivotal second out. He departed after hitting Alec Bohm to force in a second run, finishing with 5 1/3 innings pitched, allowing two hits and two earned runs while striking out seven.

Gore earned the win, while Luzardo took the loss after surrendering six runs on six hits over six innings, fanning seven but serving up the decisive homers.

The Rangers bullpen, despite some traffic, largely contained the Phillies’ rally attempts. After Gore left, Cole Winn entered to record the final out of the sixth, stranding two runners. Texas added insurance in the seventh on an RBI double by Ezequiel Duran and a sacrifice fly from Seager, making it 8-2.

Philadelphia’s offense, which mustered only three hits all afternoon, struggled to string rallies together and grounded into two inning-killing double plays. The first, started by Josh Jung in the seventh, erased a two-walk threat. The second, a 4-6-3 turn by Duran in the ninth, ended the game. The Phillies plated a final run in the eighth on an RBI single from Bryson Stott, but could not mount a serious late challenge.

McCutchen, finishing 2 for 4 with three RBIs, and Nimmo, who went 2 for 4 with two RBIs, provided the offensive firepower for Texas. The Rangers tallied eight hits overall. For Philadelphia, Crawford’s infield single was the first of the team’s three hits, with Schwarber and Stott adding the others.

The game, played in 2 hours, 46 minutes before an announced crowd of 38,018, saw Texas pitchers combine for 19 strikes, 54 balls, and 19 balls in play. Phillies pitchers threw 19 strikes, 64 balls, and 19 balls in play.

The Rangers now travel to Baltimore for a three-game set beginning Monday. The Phillies will remain at home to open a three-game series against the Washington Nationals on Monday.