Pitching duel, in ARLINGTON?!
Michael Pineda struck out the first batter he faced from a major league mound. He then he induced a ground out and recorded a second strikeout to end the inning. In the second inning, after getting the first two batters to fly out, he allowed a walk and then a triple (that apparently Saunders should have caught instead of climbing the wall) and the Rangers scored their first run. Michael showed good adjustment and great poise as he proceeded to retire the next EIGHT batters until things unraveled a bit in the 6th when he gave up a single and a couple of doubles and the Rangers got their other two runs. That would be it for MP (84P - 6IP - 5H - 3ER -1BB - 4K).
Not too shabby for a rookie pitcher against THAT lineup.
And, oh by the way, Pineda was the first Mariner rookie pitcher to make the Opening Day rotation since Freddy Garcia in 1999 AND the first Mariner pitcher to go 6 innings in his major league debut since Joel Pineiro in 2000.
And lookie here, amidst all the love for MP, what's up with Jamie Wright?!? Another TWO scoreless innings? Awesome.
The first game this season where the Rangers were held homer-less AND to less than FIVE runs.
Kudos go to Ogondo, the Rangers young starter, who was also making his first start (although he pictched out of the bullpen for the Rangers last season).
at the plate
Well, bad news for the most part - only 2 for 7 w/RISP tonight.
The 7th was the best scoring opportunity (off old friend, Mark Lowe) when FOUR singles would net TWO runs but, it could have been SO much more. Figgy popped up with the bases loaded and then Milton was ROBBED of a bases-loaded double by the CF'er Borbon.
Adam Kennedy got the start at 2B tonight and had a couple of hits and scored a run.
of base paths and leather works
Not much to say here - no stolen bases and no double-plays (but there were none on the other side either)
So, it goes in the books as a loss but, I can't help but feel encouraged for the future that we have another young phenom in the making ~ we now have a Prince to go with our King.
Speaking of kings...
He takes the hill tomorrow at 11:05am
Not a bad start!
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