AO-KA solid 45K packed into the Ballpark tonight for nine innings of fireworks than an aftershow of rockets.
The Rangers won 4-1 behind Alexi Ogando's fourth win.
It's mid-May: Who has the lowest WHIP and ERA, Jered Weaver or Alexi Ogando? Try Ogando (2.06, 0.89) over Weaver (2.26, 0.94).
Ogando has been really good, a fact lost among the struggles in the bullpen, the line-up and the bottom of the rotation, in addition to all the injuries. Julio Borbon pulled up in centerfield. Alleged strained hamstring. I suspect there's a trip to the 15-day disabled list as Endy Chavez was taken from the game in Tucson tonight for Triple A Round Rock.
Oganodo's allowed just 10 walks and 29 hits in 43 innings. Truth is, Ogando wasn't very good tonight. In the mid-innings, he began to throw a lot of pitches. Was working behind to just about every batter continuously throwing first-pitch balls.
Still, he was great, despite that. Kept the ball down and induced 10 groundball outs. Can't believe there's still talk of moving Ogando back into the bullpen when he's ultimately more important in the rotation.
Per the bullpen, Cody Eppley and Darren Oliver were perfect for 1.2 innings. Neftali Feliz struggled again allowing two baserunners.
Frustrated with the later innings arms. Eppley pitched to two betters to end the seventh innings. Ron Washington put Oliver in for the eighth to face Erick Aybar, Bobby Abreu and Maicier Izturis. I would have left Eppley in to face the righty Aybar, at least. Instead, Oliver put a bit more strain on that old arm. Still, Oliver is great. He has 12 strikeouts and a lone walk this sseason.
Notes:
1. Two dudes who might be heating up: Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus. Posted a two of hits each, including an Andrus home run and a Kinsler double.
2. Mike Young continues to rake: two more hits including his fifteenth double.
3. Not enjoying Mike Napoli's .197 batting average.
