Heading into his relief appearance back on Aug. 12 against the Tampa Bay Rays, Scott Baker had a pretty dubious distinction for the Texas Rangers.
Heading into that appearance, the Rangers were a ridiculous, almost mathematically impossible 0-20 in Baker's appearances this season, whether they were starts or relief appearances. But on that fateful night in Arlington, Baker pitched two innings of relief as the Rangers pulled off a late win to give the Rangers their first victory in a Baker appearance. The veteran swing man also picked up his first win of the season with his two shutout innings.
Fast-forward 12 days, and Baker was back on the mound in an emergency start against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday looking to salvage a win and prevent a sweep at the hands of the AL Central leaders. He did just that by throwing five innings of one-run ball to pick up his second win in as many outings, this time as a starter.
After that 0-20 run, Baker, and the Rangers, are now 2-0 in his past two appearances. It was a long time coming, but things are going pretty well for the veteran righty now.
