Pitcher’s Duel in Texas: Rangers Win a Tight One 3-2

Before yesterday’s game the Texas pitching staff was 4th in the American League with a 3.25 ERA. They also had the 3rd lowest opponent’s average in the league .221. Opponent’s were also batting .195 with runners in scoring position. The Rotation has had three straight quality starts entering last nights game.

Enter Alexi Ogando, the converted reliever who was stretched out in the spring, told he would be in the bullpen, and then placed in the rotation after Tommy Hunter’s injury. I have to admit after strong starts from CJ, Colby, Matt and Derek, I did not have tremendous optimism for Ogando. Mainly because we hadn’t seen him very much. I was wrong. Ogando picked up his first win in a start and it was a big one.

Ogando was strong, and that may be an understatement. He went a full six innings allowing two hits two walks and ZERO runs. On top of that he only threw 90 pitches and 55 were for strikes. Ogando also earned four strikeouts in his debut outing.This was a truly amazing start for this young player, at this rate if Tommy Hunter comes back he won’t take Ogando’s spot for sure. Honestly I wouldn’t replace any of the pitchers in the rotation for Hunter.

More after the jump…

Seattle’s Fireballer:

Seattle countered with their own rookie pitcher Michael Pineda. Pineda had good stuff on the mound going six innings as well but gave up five hits and three runs. This was a glimpse of a superstar with Seattle and I don’t look forward to seeing him the four or five times we may encounter him this season.

Minimal Offense:

The Rangers only had three runs on the game, only one run was on the board for most of the game. Nelson Cruz earned a walk in the bottom of the second inning and then Mitch Moreland hit his career first triple to score Cruz. In the sixth inning they picked up another two runs on a string of hits by the Rangers, Josh Hamilton and Michael Young picking up the RBIs.

Michael Young played career game 1513 which passes Jim Sundberg for 2nd most game played in Rangers history, second to only Rafael Palmeiro 1573.

Feliz Saves the Day:

Rangers closer Neftali Feliz came in for the second save opportunity in as many days. After letting Seattle come within a run to tie the game Feliz had no room for error. He came in and took care of all three batters and had a strike-out as well.

Feliz is sixth in the club’s history for saves with 44 he is nine saves shy of next on the list C.J. Wilson’s 52 saves.

Today’s game:

1:05pm the Texas Rangers (5-0) host the Seattle Mariners again (2-3) and its a battle of Ace’s with C.J. Wilson against “King” Felix Hernandez.

-Jonathan