NEW YORK -- Right-hander Jacob deGrom heard the roar from the crowd at Citi Field on Friday night -- and deservedly so. He returned to the stadium for the first time since leaving the Mets for the Rangers in free agency before the 2023 season.

deGrom spent his first nine seasons with New York and was the ace of the pitching staff, posting a 2.52 ERA in 209 starts and winning a pair of Cy Young Awards in 2018 and ‘19 before back, shoulder and arm injuries derailed his 2021 and ‘22 campaigns.

Not surprisingly, the Mets gave him a video tribute while deGrom tipped his cap to the 41,040 fans.

A half-hour later, deGrom was on the mound for Texas and had his way -- aside from one inning -- in an 8-3 victory. The Rangers have won five consecutive games -- six out of their past seven -- a

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