Ogando No Longer Perfect

[Molina00]

The Rangers chances against the Yankees were looking good sending Alexi Ogando to the mound in the series opener in New York. Alexi was the only 7-0 pitcher in baseball and had given up just 1 run in each of his previous 2 starts. Nothing lasts forever. Ogando pitched a scoreless 1st inning but the Yankees rocked him for 6 runs in the 2nd getting only 2 outs before the Rangers opted for the bullpen. The pen wasn't much better with Kirkman and Tateyama combining to give up 6 runs over 4 1/3 innings of work. The Rangers fell 12-4 in the Bronx dropping their 3rd straight game and dealing Ogando his first loss of the year. His ERA also skyrocketed to 2.71, previously 2.10. The only bright spot is that Seattle has dropped their last 2 so Texas is holding a 2 game lead in the AL West.

Derek Holland takes the mound tonight looking to snap the skid against Ivan Nova.

[ljshorty89]

Alexi was the only 7-0 pitcher in baseball

False. Dillon Gee.

[zodious]

False. Dillon Gee.

That said.... Put $$$ on Tim Hudson and the Braves to beat Gee for the first time this year....

You can put it on the boooooooard! YES!

[ljshorty89]

That said.... Put $$$ on Tim Hudson and the Braves to beat Gee for the first time this year....

You can put it on the boooooooard! YES!

We'll see, 12.2 IP, 9 hits, 1 run for the Braves against Gee so far this year...

[zodious]

We'll see, 12.2 IP, 9 hits, 1 run for the Braves against Gee so far this year...

I'll guess 7-2 braves win tonight.

[Molina00]

False. Dillon Gee.

Okay, the American League. It was true at the time Ogando won his 7th game anyway.

[ljshorty89]

Yeah, Ogando moved to 7-0 on June 8th...Gee on June 10th.

[zodious]

Why did Gee leave in the 4th?

[ljshorty89]

Why did Gee leave in the 4th?

There was a 1:22 rain delay at the start, and 1:11 more after the 4th inning, so the Mets didn't wanna send him back out. Tough for the kid to pitch extremely well and not get the W, but the team moving back to .500 should ease the pain.

[zodious]

2 hits total for Atlanta tonight, solid pitching all around.

[love_that_reefer]

Alexi Ogando could be optioned to Triple-A after Friday's start.
The Rangers are worried about Ogando's recent struggles, thinking he could be starting to hit a wall after already throwing a career high in innings. When he's sent down, he will not pitch for Triple-A Round Rock but rather simply get some rest before likely rejoining the rotation after the All-Star break. Scott Feldman (knee) is close to the end of his rehab assignment and is likely to be Ogando's replacement.

Not a bad idea for the Rangers. Rangers could always find a starter on the trade market and move Ogando to the pen where they desperately need help.

[Molina00]

I think it may be a bit premature to hit the panic button on Ogando. He may have lost his last 3 starts, but he didn't pitch that bad against the Braves. One earned run on 5 hits in 5 innings, his other two starts were pretty bad though. I agree with them, after his next start, to give him his rest then put him back in the rotation later in the month. If he is still struggling at that point then consider bullpen duty. There would still be time to trade for another starter unless they want to try Feldman again.