D

  1. Find It
    Food & Drink
    Health Care
    Prof. Services
    Shopping
    Beauty
    Weddings
    Home & Garden
  2. Blogs
  3. Videos
  4. Buzzworthy
  5. Magazines

Live Blog Feed

  1. Blogs
  2. Best of Big D
  3. Restaurants
  4. Bars
  5. Entertainment
  6. Party Pics
  1. Home
  2. Shopping
  3. Home & Garden
  4. Real Estate
  5. Weddings
  6. Find a Doctor
  7. Find a Lawyer
  8. Giveaways

Nippert Wins; McCarthy Goes for Rangers Sweep

Posted on September 1st, 2009 7:26pm by Jeff Miller
Filed under AL West race, Baseball, Post-Game Wrap up, Texas Rangers

ARLINGTON - Dustin Nippert stated his case for retaining the No. 5 slot in the Rangers’ starting rotation in Texas’ 5-2 victory over Toronto in the first half of Tuesday’s doubleheader. Next up, Brandon McCarthy, making his first start since leaving the rotation in early June for the disabled list.

Nippert had much better control than in his most recent outing last week at Yankee Stadium. In the Bronx, he allowed 11 base runners (four hits, seven walks) and got 11 outs. On Tuesday afternoon, he pitched out of trouble to earn his fifth victory of the season and third as a starter. Nippert gave up five hits, walked only one. He lowered his ERA as a starter to 4.43 and overall to 3.91. It was his third quality start in his last five appearances.

Nippert said there really wasn’t much difference between how he threw last week and on Tuesday: “Just able to throw strikes. In New York, I think I threw one curveball for a strike. The bigger hole I dug myself in, I tried harder to get out of it. I was just going the wrong way. I kept walking guys, trying to make that perfect pitch.

“Today, I was able to throw it ahead in the count, behind in the count. Keep ‘em off my fastball.”

Said manager Ron Washington: “I don’t think he was overthrowing. He was equalizing with his change-up and his breaking stuff. Elevated his fastball.”

Washington and Nippert both indicated Nippert wasn’t pitching to keep his position in the rotation. And Nippert said he’ll gladly start or come out of the bullpen.

“I just want to help out this team,” he said. “It’s good for us that we have more arms now. Whoever’s hot you can go with.”

Bookmark and Share
5 Comments to “Nippert Wins; McCarthy Goes for Rangers Sweep”
  • JustSaying @ September 1st, 2009 at 7:40 pm

    i actaully think the long bullpen position should go to holland right now……when he has an outing like ny makes me feel like we’re rushing him……

  • Win's Dad @ September 1st, 2009 at 8:34 pm

    Ranger pitching has come a long way when a starter in the rotation goes out and wins, allowing five hits in a quality start and gets demoted to the bullpen for his effort.

  • David @ September 1st, 2009 at 9:23 pm

    McCarthy is pitching well; however, I’m not watching the game in Seattle. But the MPH readings has his fastball touching 86 to 87. Is this a result of needing to build up strength or his new delivery? I would hope he would be able to at least touch 90. Thoughts?

  • Jack Daddy @ September 1st, 2009 at 10:17 pm

    @david – he really only hits 92 occasionally. he sits at 88-90. gets by more on movement and location, which works for him.

  • Post-Game(s) Show: Rangers 5-5, Blue Jays 2-2 « wire2 @ September 2nd, 2009 at 2:42 am

    [...] Nippert kept the Blue Jays off balance for six innings in Game 1 while the Rangers built a slim lead. In Game 2, McCarthy unveiled new smoother mechanics after missing most of the last three months while recovering from a stress fracture in his right scapula. He lasted 6.1 innings and got the benefit of a pair of homers from CF Josh Hamilton to stake him to a 5-0 lead. In both games, RHP Frank Francisco came on to close out the game. [...]