One unexpected Rangers issue has reared its ugly head at the wrong time

Let's face it, not much was expected of Patrick Corbin when he was signed for a bargain basement deal of $1.1 million to come in and compete for starting pitching innings this year.

What they got in the first half was a pitcher who was not only eating up innings and saving the bullpen, but contributing quality starts. It was a surprise, as Corbin seemed to be turning back the clock and overachieving at the tail end of the best rotation in baseball.

The long season is starting to catch up with Patrick Corbin

Before the All-Star Break, Patrick Corbin pitched into the sixth inning and beyond eight separate times on his way to racking up six wins and an ERA below 4.00.

Since the break, the soft-tossing lefty has failed to make it beyond 5 innings pitched in four of his five starts and in his most recent outings he has lasted just 4.1 and 3 innings respectively.

In his last three starts he has given up 8 ER in 12.1 innings pitched - good for an 5.84 ERA. Just as problematic is he's not getting deep into games.

Corbin's short outings are taxing the bullpen

Even though President of Baseball Operations Chris Young went out and added two more arms to the Ranger bullpen, when your starters aren't getting past five innings consistently, it puts additional strain on the relievers.

Over his career, if he has been anything, Corbin has been a guy who will get out there and grind out a start and do everything he can to get his team into the sixth and seventh inning.

The 36-year-old has thrown over 2,000 innings in 14 seasons. He has never been what you would call an ace, so his value comes in gobbling up those innings toward the back end of a rotation.

Right now, he isn't doing that and it couldn't have come at a worse time with the Rangers fading from playoff contention following a miserable homestand.