Thursday Newsletter time: It was too early to panic then, and it’s too early to celebrate now

Jeff Wilson May 5, 2022

(AP photo/Matt Slocum)

The prescription for all those who wanted to tear down the Texas Rangers after their 2-9 start was patience.

It was too early in the season to do anything crazy. Things were always going to get better.

They have, with the Rangers going 8-5 since.

Guess what? The prescription is still patience.

It’s still too early to start planning the ticker-tape parade. Things aren’t always going to be this good.

But the Rangers have won four straight games and have been playing much better.

Their record is 10-14. Five American League teams have worse records, though Oakland and Boston are 10-15. Still worse.

However, nine teams have better records.

This might be where the Rangers reside all season. They might be a tad better or worse.

Yes, it’s still early, but this is better than than where things stood two weeks ago.

Perez still cruising

Speaking of it was too early … remember the first two Martin Perez starts this season?

Same old Perez, people said after two short, traffic-filled starts.

Well, he has a 0.45 ERA in his past three starts, surrendering one run in the past 20 innings. He tossed seven scoreless innings Wednesday in the Rangers’ 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in 10 innings.

Perez got some help from replays after a fan interfered with a deep Nick Castellanos drive in the seventh inning that was initially called a home run. The fan, though, reached over the fence to catch the ball, and it was scored a two-out double after a replay.

Perez once again was able to dial up the double-play ball when needed. He’s been one of the best in baseball at inducing double plays since he came up from the minors. He has two pitches that can get a grounder, a sinker and a changeup.

He has registered three straight quality starts, and the Rangers are 2-1 in those games.

“When you go out there and you try to go deep in the game, that’s good because you give your teammates a chance to score some runs,” he said. “Our bullpen held the game and gave us a chance to score in the 10th.”

Adolis Garcia opened at second base and went to third on a fly out by Kole Calhoun. Mitch Garver walked, was replaced by Eli White, and White stole season as Nick Solak struck out.

Brad Miller, who signed with the Rangers after playing with the Phillies last season, dropped a single into right field to score both runners.

The Phillies’ free runner scored in the bottom half, but that was all Joe Barlow would allow as he picked up the save for a second straight game.

ICYMI …

I, for one, am shocked that it’s Thursday. The Rangers are off, which means it’s time for me to play catch-up but also to try to get ahead in preparations for a busy weekend. If anyone else needs to catch up, here’s the latest from Rangers Today in case you missed it.

What to do with Willie Calhoun

Semien and Washington in 2015

Bullish bullpen

Dave Raymond on Texas Rangers Baseball Podcast