Managers express praise for Matt Harrison as Texas Rangers take down the Boston Red Sox
A new season leads to a new beginning. That is something Matt Harrison was looking for, while going into Sunday’s game against the Boston Red Sox. Coming in to the Texas Rangers rotation from an impressive display in the spring training in Arizona, the pitcher
was eager to prove a point in Arlington as the hosts took on the travelling Red Sox in their third, and final encounter of the series.
The hurler made short work of the impressive American League East club, as the ace struck out eight players, while conceding a run and two walks in a span of seven innings. With an earning runs average of 1.29, Harrison proved that he is more than just a
25 – year – old ball thrower rising through the ladders in the minor league. With no Tommy Hunter, Brandon Webb and Cliff Lee in the side, the ace made his case to be a formidable replacement in the lineup.
Managers from both teams were more than impressed by the rookie star. Boston’s Terry Francona was all praise for the maestro. He conveyed his views to the press that hovered over the player as Rangers beat the Red Sox 5 – 1.
"You know what, he had good stuff," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "Fastball ranging from probably 90 to 95 [mph], so there's some differential there, and the off-speed made him really, really good. And then to the right-handed hitters, he was busting
them in hard, opening up the rest of the plate. He was pretty impressive."
With a concession coming in the seventh inning, it seemed Harrison was losing control. However, manager Ron Washington made no move to replace the young star. He let the ace pitch, and end the inning with a strike out against Jacoby Ellsbury.
"That was Harry's game," Ron Washington said. "I felt the ball was still coming out of his hand well. It was a big-time moment, but that was his moment. We're in the process of letting these young guys grow up, and he grew up."
With a good crop of youngsters in the squad, the Rangers look more than ready to take out the competition in the American League West.
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