Rangers Swiss-Army knife reliever quietly emerging as bullpen hero Bruce Bochy needs

As the Texas Rangers continue to do battle with a bullpen that has a ton of tired arms, one Swiss-Army knife type reliever has stepped up and taken command. Shawn Armstrong came into Sunday's game to hand the club a series win over AL West-leading Houston and, in the process, once again looks like the guy who could be the full-time 9th inning answer for the rest of the month, at least.

"I mean," catcher Kyle Higashioka said after Armstrong recorded a four-out save to notch his seventh of the season. "That’s who you want in those situations."

Texas Rangers reliever Shawn Armstrong posts elite second-half stats

The Texas Rangers' quasi-closer has also had a near-perfect second half. The veteran right-hander, who also notched four outs in the 10th and 11th innings of Friday's Game 1 4-3 win vs. the Astros.

Armstrong has operated as the team's bullpen ace with a 0.83 ERA in 21.2 innings since the All-Star break. Only eight other American League relievers have a sub-1.00 ERA since July 14, and none has pitched in more games than he has in that span.

"This guy," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday afternoon. "He has been saving games for us, but he has saved us, really. He’s been steady, so consistent, and a guy that we have so much trust in."

The Texas Rangers have spent a good portion of the season trying to find someone who can really lock down the 9th inning. So far, everyone but Shawn Armstrong has faltered. It looks like the club has finally found its guy. Now it's all about using him properly in the season's final month and getting into the playoffs.