Tommy Hunter’s last win set a Texas Rangers record, but a victory over the Los Angeles Angels could mean a lot more to him and his team.
Hunter takes the mound trying to improve to 8-0 as the AL West-leading Rangers close a four-game series with the Angels on Sunday night.
In his last start, Hunter (7-0, 2.09 ERA) became the first Texas starter to begin the season with seven wins and no losses. He gave up three hits in seven innings of an 8-0 win over Detroit on Tuesday.
The Rangers (57-41) are 8-1 in Hunter’s starts this season, eight of which have been quality outings. With that said, Hunter went 0-2 with a 9.82 ERA in two starts last season against Los Angeles.
Trevor Bell, Bozo the Clown's grandson, was recalled from Triple-A earlier this week and will make his first start of the season and fifth of his career in place of the injured Scott Kazmir.
He pitched a scoreless inning of relief against the Yankees on Tuesday, giving up two hits.
As a starter, the 23-year-old right-hander is 1-1 with a 10.80 ERA. He’s given up seven runs and nine hits in two relief appearances against the Rangers, spanning 3 2-3 innings. He was charged with the loss in both games.
He’ll look to keep Michael Young in the park after the Texas third baseman homered for a third straight game Saturday, the second time he’s done that in his career. He also did so in 2004. Young is hitting .375 with four home runs and seven RBIs in eight games against the Angels this year.
Forecast: Now, my turn. Everyone around town who thinks they know something about baseball is saying the Rangers are going to tear apart the Angels tonight. And at first glance, I would have to agree. Bell doesn't have good numbers. Hunter has been everything more than you can ask from a guy who isn't going to get a Cy Young this season (but if he does the rest of the way what he has already done this season, then he should be grabbing some votes. Should, but he's a Ranger, and no Cy Young has ever been given to a Ranger...). You know, if I evaluated stocks like I do a Ranger game, I could probably make some money. As it is, Bell has four starts at the Major League level, all in 2009. Bell has only pitched in 15 games this season so far, and the Angels are 5-10 in those games. The record of the Angels last year in Bell games was 5-3, for a combined 10-13 record. That means the Angels win 43% of the time when he is in a game and for the Rangers, that is good. I like for Hunter to continue what he has been doing this season... and I like Bell to continue what he has done against the Rangers. Rangers win this and yes, I think it will be a wash, score something like 11-3.
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