From the very beginning, this was a different Dane Dunning. For one thing, he didn’t give up runs in the first like he normally does.

Instead, he came out slinging, striking out Ronald Acuña Jr, Matt Olson, and Austin Riley to start the game. Those are three top-quality hitters. Doing that is impressive.

Dunning just kept being impressive. Suddenly, he was pitching into the eighth inning, the furthest a Rangers starter has been allowed to go this year.

When he walked off the mound, he had given up just three hits and one run. He struck out seven and walked none.

That was the promise of the Dane Dunning the Rangers dealt Lance Lynn for. That was Dane Dunning’s best start as a Ranger.

That was good to see.

*****