Yovani Gallardo was in the midst of a pretty impressive scoreless innings streak earlier this summer, one that was overshadowed by an even more impressive one from Zack Greinke, but it was an impressive one nonetheless.
Since that streak ended at the beginning of July, Gallardo hasn't been very reliable, especially when it came to working deep into games.
But on Saturday night against the Tigers, that Gallardo was back as he pitched six shutout innings to register his first quality start since an identical line back on July 2 against Baltimore. It was only his second time to get through six innings since that game, with the other being against the Yankees when he allowed five runs.
Gallardo was efficient by his standards, needing just 98 pitches to get through six, and he scattered eight hits with four strikeouts and one walk — a low total for Gallardo.
The Rangers hope they get more of this version of Gallardo even though it's quite apparent he isn't in their plans for 2016. They held on to him at the trade deadline exactly for this late-season push, and on Saturday, he gave them that.
"I think this is what you prepare yourself for," Gallardo told reporters. "Obviously, the last two months of the season are very important, especially in the situation that we're in."
