Rangers Beat Braves, and a Look at Pitching Last Night in the Minors

There is a lot to be excited about on the major and minor league levels after last night. Your Texas Rangers defeated the Atlanta Braves easily 6 to 2. A Home run from Josh Hamilton, three RBIs from him and Nelson Cruz, were all the Rangers needed.

Colby Lewis was decent, not bad. Lewis went 6.2 innings, allowed five hits and two runs. The impressive number is that Colby had 10 strikeouts.

In their first game against their old team, Elvis Andrus was 1 for 5, and Neftali Feliz threw one inning and allowed no hits, picking up three strikeouts.

Now on to the exciting stuff- almost all of the Rangers’ top pitching prospects were on the mound. Here’s a trip around their starts.

Neil Ramirez threw for AAA Round Rock and went five innings, allowed six hits and four runs (three earned), and picked up six outings. This wasn’t necessarily a super-impressive outing, but if he continues to do well against Triple-A hitting, look to see him if the Rangers need a quick replacement pitcher.

Martin Perez took the mound for AA Frisco, the RoughRider allowed five hits and four runs. He gave up two home runs and two walks, and earned five strikeouts.

Joe Wieland, (who is dangerously close to a promotion) started at Myrtle Beach for the Pelicans. Wieland went 7.2 innings, allowed nine hits and five runs, but only two were earned. There were six strikeouts and no walks.

Last but not least, in his professional debut David Perez with the Spokane Indians went three innings, allowed five hits and four runs. In those three innings Perez had an impressive eight strikeouts, he has miles to travel up the ranks- this kid will be great.

-Jonathan