ARLINGTON, Texas — The third MLB debut in six days by a Texas Rangers starting pitcher looked a lot like the first two — professional, effective and good enough to earn another look.
Right-hander A.J. Alexy completed the rookie trifecta Monday night, tossing five scoreless innings on just one hit in a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Globe Life Field.
The performance followed left-hander Jake Latz, who allowed three runs in 4 ⅔ innings Aug. 24 at Cleveland, and right-hander Glenn Otto, who blanked Houston on two hits over five innings Friday.
Some history was made, too, as the Rangers became the first major-league team since at least 1900 to have two pitchers toss at least five innings on two hits or fewer in their major-league debuts in the same season.
The rookie trio allowed three runs in 14 ⅔ innings, good for a 1.84 ERA. Unlike the other two, Alexy picked up his first career victory as the Rangers hit three home runs against Rockies starter German Marquez.
Second baseman Nick Solak swatted a two-run homer, and rookie outfielders DJ Peters and Leody Taveras each connected for a solo shot as the Rangers won consecutive games for the first time since winning three straight July 31-Aug. 2.
Former Irving High School star Trevor Story hit two homers, a solo shot in the seventh and a two-run shot in the eighth, to account for Colorado’s offensive output.
Alexy, 23, dazzled in the minors this season, posting 1.66 ERA and a .175 opponents average in 65 innings. Most of his season was spent at Double A Frisco before a bump earlier this month to Triple A Round Rock.
He might not be going back, at least not for the rest of the season. There is room for Alexy to continue in the rotation or in a tandem role as right-handed starters Dane Dunning, Spencer Howard and Mike Foltynewicz work their way back from the COVID-related injured list.
Woodward said that the Rangers will consider rehab assignments for that trio to begin the process of building up again rather than doing it in the big leagues and putting a strain on the bullpen.
They are likely to be limited once ready, and the Rangers will need pitchers who can work multiple innings even if they are starters working out of the bullpen.
“There have to be some changes made, obviously,” Woodward said. “There are some guys that have priority over others that we want to see. Some of these guys are on the COVID IL. They’re going to be built back up to even pitch multiple innings, let alone starter innings. Some of this is taking care of itself.”
Alexy worked a 1-2-3 first inning, picking up his first career strikeout as former National League All-Star Charlie Blackmon swung through a full-count changeup. Alexy had some help along the way, including catches by Taveras and left fielder Jason Martin on flyballs to the warning track.
The Rockies opened the fifth with a walk by Raimel Tapia, but Alexy helped himself by picking off Tapia two batters later for the second out.
Alexy, who threw 81 pitches, walked three and struck out four. The lone hit against him was a well-placed one-out double in the second inning by C.J. Cron.
The Rangers returned Latz to Round Rock to make room on the roster for Alexy. Because of the size of the COVID outbreak, the Rangers were able to take Latz off the 40-man roster without exposing him to waivers.
He may be back later this season. It appears Alexy will stick with the Rangers, at least for the rest of the season.
