Wash: Starters Must Go Deeper in Games

There has been plenty go wrong with the Texas Rangers' 2014 season, mostly due to the gluttony of serious injuries suffered by starters all over the field, as well as their backups.

The lineup manager Ron Washington has had to run out every day has been closer to a minor-league lineup lately than that of a big-league contender, and it's showing.

But following Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Angels — their second straight home sweep — Washington talked about how key it will be in the second half for his makeshift starting rotation to work deeper into games to help preserve an overworked bullpen.

“We have to figure out a way to get our starting pitches to go deeper in ballgames,’’ Washington said. “Get ahead and make pitches. That’s what they have to do.’’

The ineptitude of the Rangers' starters — guys like Miles Mikolas, Phil Irwin, Scott Baker, Colby Lewis, etc. — to work deep into games has turned the strength of the team into a shell of its former self as guys like Jason Frasor and Neal Cotts have hit a wall of ineffectiveness due to being overworked.

A four-day break will help, but their starters in front of them need to do their part, as well.

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