Rangers notes: Bullpen implosion leaves Texas clinging to AL West title hopes

The Texas Rangers’ bullpen has been a huge reason why the club is just one game away from clinching the American League West title.

But Saturday against the Angels, it was the bullpen that blew a five-run lead in a nightmare ninth that ended with a shocking 11-10 loss to Los Angeles.

Needing just three outs with a four-run lead, closer Shawn Tolleson — pitching in a fifth consecutive game for the first time in his career — gave up back-to-back solo homers to Erick Aybar and Kole Calhoun to start the inning.

“I told them I felt good, that I was good to pitch,” Tolleson said. “Down in the pen my stuff felt really good. I went with changeups, and it seems like they were just sitting all over that. They were swinging and got a hold of it. I wasn’t exhausted or anything like that. I felt good.”

Tolleson’s five consecutive appearances coupled with Saturday’s performance make it unlikely he’d be used again in Sunday’s game, even if the Rangers need a victory to clinch the division.

Tolleson was quickly replaced by Ross Ohlendorf, who recorded two outs around a double to Albert Pujols. But Ohlendorf allowed singles to C.J. Cron and David Freese as the Angels pulled within 10-9.

Ohlendorf then had a 2-2 count on Carlos Perez before Perez singled to center to tie it at 10. Johnny Giavotella followed with the Angels’ fourth straight single to score pinch-runner Kaleb Cowart from second with the go-ahead run. Rookie left-hander Andrew Faulkner replaced Ohlendorf and finally got Calhoun for the final out.

Ohlendorf said his pitches had good life, especially after getting the first two outs in the inning.

“I don’t feel like I had a different approach before I got two outs,” he said. “I still felt strong, still felt like my fastball and slider were still really good. I just need to make a few better pitches. I’ve got to find a way to get the last three outs there”

Kela’s status

Rookie reliever Keone Kela has been dealing with minor elbow soreness but entered in the seventh inning to get a crucial out.

Kela has been used sparingly the past two weeks after experiencing tightness in his throwing arm at Oakland. He made four appearances (four innings) since Sept. 14 before being used for one out in the seventh Saturday.

“I’ve pitched through fatigue and soreness before, so I don’t think that’s anything that’s a big factor,” Kela said. “We have other tools in the bullpen that can get the job done, and he’s just giving me time.”

Banister has said he’s trying to rest Kela for the postseason. Kela has thrown a career-high 60  1/3 innings this season.

“We check in with him and how he feels,” Banister said. “He’s thrown a lot this year, more than he’s ever thrown, so we’ll continue to manage the situation and what’s best for Keone and what’s best for the club.”

Odor apologizes

Rougned Odor apologized to Angels infielder Giavotella for a late slide into second in the fifth inning Saturday.

Odor’s spikes caught Giavotella on the shin and ankle. Giavotella was shaken up on the play but stayed in the game through the eighth inning. Odor said Giavotella told him it was OK.

“[I was trying to] break up the double play,” Odor said. “I slid late. I said sorry to him, but it’s part of the game. He knows it was my bad. We both play second base. I told him sorry because I didn’t try to hit him with my spikes. I slid late; that’s why I hit him with my spikes.”

DeShields OK

Center fielder Delino DeShields said his left knee was fine after colliding with the wall on a fly ball in the sixth inning.

“It hurt momentarily and loosened up and was fine later,” said DeShields, who was lifted for pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland in the bottom of the inning.

Socially awkward

The Rangers had to issue a statement apologizing for a message sent out on their official Twitter account Saturday afternoon.

A member of the Rangers’ social media department who was not working during the game, tweeted “Fire Charlie,” referring to University of Texas football coach Charlie Strong, whose Longhorns lost 50-7 at TCU.

In their statement, the Rangers apologized to the university and Strong for “the very inappropriate and insensitive message that was briefly posted on the team’s twitter account.”

The employee was fired, effective immediately, the Rangers said.

Quotable

“It’s tough to swallow because of the situation. We were one out away and we didn’t get it done. It’s baseball. It’s happened before.” — Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre on Saturday’s outcome

This story was originally published October 3, 2015 at 11:02 AM with the headline "Rangers notes: Bullpen implosion leaves Texas clinging to AL West title hopes."