Almost a month after making his big-league starting debut, Josh Lindblom got another opportunity on Monday night, and after tanking back in May against the Oakland A's, Lindblom made a better case for himself on Monday against the Indians.
Lindblom lasted six innings and gave up three runs — a quality start — and it was after a rough inning early in the game when he surrended a bases-clearing double to turn a 1-0 lead into a 3-1 deficit. After that, he settled in and got through six innings, saving a bullpen that has been worked tirelessly recently.
"I knew the situation of the bullpen," Lindblom told ESPN Dallas. "To be able to do that was huge. Being someone who's pitched in the bullpen, I know what it's like to have arm fatigue when the starters aren't going deep into games."
Lindblom gave up four runs in 4 2/3 innings back on May 20 against Oakland in a 9-2 A's win, replacing Alexi Ogando the first time he went on the disabled list, but he made a much better account for himself and might have earned himself another start after the Rangers went with Martin Perez after Lindblom's failed outing last time. Perez didn't fare much better.
"He really relaxed and kept us in the game," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "He pitched well tonight."
