Texas Rangers: Alexi Ogando impresses manager Ron Washington
There is a lot of trouble when one player has to make the transition from a bullpen player to a rotational one. For Alexi Ogando, it seems it did not take much effort.
The ace maverick was instrumental in lining up Texas Ranger’s second straight victory against the Kansas City Royals on April 23, 2011. The player was immensely consistent in tying the score to 3–1 in his team’s favour.
One of the important things to note in the recent encounter was the starter’s change in tactics, that brought the side to its all important win. What mattered most was that manager Ron Washington was highly impressed by the way Ogando executed the change.
The kipper had seen the maestro fumble in the first three innings. He was unable to find the strike zone with his deliveries. That is when the ball thrower started pitching the changeup more.
While the pitcher focused more on his fastballs and sliders in his previous outing, he aligned himself well with the change in artillery. The tactical upgrade allowed the ace to retire six base runners.
"It just goes to show you he has pitch-ability", Washington said. "His command wasn't very good, where it normally is. But he found a way to get through it".
Ogando was brought into the rotation to replace Tommy Hunter, who is recuperating from a right groin strain. Looking back at the four games he has played, the results are overwhelmingly stellar in nature.
The pitcher had previously thrown 92 times in a game to equal his highest pitching outing. Against the Royals, that record went up to 115 pitches. Not once did his speed dip.
"By the time he reached the fourth inning", Washington said, "I wasn't sure he was going to get through six. He got to the seventh. And we were able to get his pitch count up and he didn't show any drop in velocity, which is good".
The star pitcher is a regular starter for the future and that has many fans expecting more from him in the coming weeks as the American League season intensifies.
Tags: