Ogando “Still Trying To Find It”

Since returning from the disabled list, Alexi Ogando has been just a bit inconsistent. It’s a small sample size--Ogando just returned from the DL a week ago today--but in the three innings pitched since his return, the former All-Star (as a starter, it should be noted) has  given up five hits, three runs and two walks. He’s thrown 66 pitches in this span, only 36 of which have gone for strikes.

On Sunday, this lack of command reared its ugly head as Ogando needed 23 pitches to get through just 1/3 of an inning in the rubber match against the Angels. He allowed four hits and two runs--these coming off the bat of Albert Pujols, who took Ogando deep to bring the Angels’ lead to 6-2.

However, fans might take comfort in that, just the day before, Ogando had been in fine form against Texas’ biggest rival, striking out two in a perfect, 12-pitch inning. To Manager Ron Washington, the two very different performances, separated by less than 24 hours, are merely a sign that Ogando is still getting settled in following his return.

“He’s still trying to find it,” Washington said, per the Dallas Morning News. “He came out Saturday and looked like the old Ogando.”