Gallardo Does Gallardo Once Again

Yovani Gallardo has been a steady hand in the Rangers' rotation this season with the exception of about three or four bad starts leading up to the trade deadline.

He was thrown the wrench of being the staff's de facto ace after Yu Darvish and Derek Holland suffered early injuries, putting him in a position he simply isn't cut out for as he was brought in to be the club's No. 3 starter.

But he's been good, and his 3.39 ERA this year — his first season in the American League — is the lowest he's ever posted, better than his career-low season-ending mark of 3.51 last season in Milwaukee.

He's had one problem, though. He hasn't been efficient, and it's resulted in lots of pitching lines that read something like 5 1/3 innings or 5 2/3 innings.

In fact, he hasn't worked six complete innings since he allowed five runs in six innings on July 30. He hasn't registered a quality start since July 2, and he did it once again on Sunday when he allowed three runs but only made it through 5 1/3 innings while allowing 11 hits.

He didn't have his best stuff, as his slider was really ineffective from the get-go, but he did battle to make it through 5 1/3 and kept his team in the game before they eventually pulled away.

It's frustrating to watch, but he's been solid this year. Now, if he could only be a little more efficient and work deeper into games. Maybe next time.

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