Chi Chi Gonzalez roughed up early as Angels rout Rangers 8-2
The way the Texas Rangers’ schedule falls the rest of the first half, with seven games in nine days, Chi Chi Gonzalez would be scheduled to start just once more.
After that, well ...
The Rangers are going to have decisions to make and pitchers to slide back into their rotation. They made a significant one after the game, designating former closer Neftali Feliz for assignment.
Gonzalez is a rookie who can easily be moved off the roster, much easier than a DFA, and he has also started to hit some road bumps for the first time in his career.
What happened Friday night at Globe Life Park was the worst of it.
Gonzalez lasted only 1 2/3 innings against division rival Los Angeles, surrendering six second-inning runs as the Angels opened a three-game series with an 8-2 cakewalk.
“I’m trying to do what I did my first outings, and balls aren’t falling where I want them to,” Gonzalez said. “I’m trying to stay positive. It’s baseball. It’s a game. It’s fun. You win some, you lose some.
“I’m upset, sad I didn’t give my team that full chance, but it’s just another day.”
The Feliz move creates spots on the 40- and 25-man rosters for Matt Harrison, who will be reinstated Saturday.
Feliz was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2010, saving 40 games and another 32 in 2011. He also used a fastball that hit 100 mph and a slider that could be devastating at times to save seven postseason games.
He finished off the 2010 AL Championship Series with a strikeout of Alex Rodriguez, which rates as the biggest moment in franchise history. But Feliz could not close out Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, allowing a two-run triple to David Freese with the Rangers a strike away from the world championship.
“A tough call, mostly in the fact that Neftali has been on the mound for probably the greatest moments in franchise history,” general manager Jon Daniels said.
The Rangers will attempt to trade Feliz but would like him to accept assignment to the minors if he clears waivers. Daniels said that Feliz hasn’t been the same since needing Tommy John surgery after a transition to the rotation in 2012.
Feliz worked two scoreless innings against the Angels on Friday, hitting 95 mph and ending his outing by getting Freese to bounce into a double play in the eighth.
“My mentality is to keep pitching and keep doing my job,” said Feliz, who hopes to stay in the organization. “I feel good with everybody over here. I like it here. All my friends are here.
“I have great moments with this organization. I’m not thinking about leaving. Of course, I don’t know what will happen, but I’m happy here.”
The grisly details for Gonzalez (2-4) included 39 pitches in the second, with four hits and two walks. The big blow was a three-run double with two outs by Kole Calhoun, who was down in the count 0-2 before driving a 3-2 pitch to right-center field.
Gonzalez was lifted after walking the next batter, Mike Trout, and long man Anthony Bass needed 22 more pitches to get the final out of the inning.
Gonzalez has allowed 15 earned runs in his past three starts, spanning 13 1/3 innings (10.13 ERA), after opening his big-league career with three earned runs allowed in his first four starts, covering 30 innings (0.90 ERA).
Harrison is expected to start Tuesday against Arizona, his first start since May 2013 and only his seventh in the past two seasons.
Gonzalez’s next start would be Friday against San Diego, two days before lefty Martin Perez (elbow) makes his final rehab start.
Perez should be ready to join the rotation after the All-Star break, and Nick Martinez is expected to return from Triple A Round Rock after being demoted Thursday to get some rest.
That’s two spots that need to be opened. Gonzalez, a struggling rookie who has minor-league options, would be a logical choice to be moved out.
He is also at 86 2/3 innings after throwing just 138 2/3 last season. If the Rangers felt Martinez needed rest, Gonzalez could be a candidate for similar treatment.
“We’ll continue to watch his innings,” manager Jeff Banister said. “We’ll continue to maintain the innings with all our starters.”
The Rangers trailed 8-0 before finally scoring in the sixth against Garrett Richards. Prince Fielder doubled with two outs and came home on a single by Adrian Beltre.
Josh Hamilton followed with a double for his first hit against his former team after striking out in his first two at-bats before being replaced in the eighth inning by Ryan Rua, who homered in the ninth.
The game had long been decided by then. The Rangers have decisions ahead with their rotation, and Gonzalez could find himself in the middle of them.
Feliz just did.
Jeff Wilson, 817-390-7760
This story was originally published July 3, 2015 at 11:25 PM with the headline "Chi Chi Gonzalez roughed up early as Angels rout Rangers 8-2."