Dustin Nippert claimed his basis for keeping the No. 5 slot in the Rangers’ starting rotation of pitchers in the Rangers’ 5-two win versus the Blue Jays in the first portion of Tuesday’s doubleheader. Next to pitch, Brandon McCarthy, coming back for his first start because departing the pitching rotation in June for the inactive list.
Nippert displayed far better finesse than in his previous appearance last week in Newborn York. In the Bronx, he allowed 11 base runners (four hits, seven BBs) and was only responsible for 11 outs. On Tuesday afternoon, he got out of trouble to get his fifth victory of the year and third as a starting pitcher. Nippert gave up 5 hits, and walked just one. He lowered his ERA as a starter to 4.43 and on the whole to 3.91. It was Nippert’s third quality start in his most recent five outings.
Nippert claimed there seriously wasn’t much disparity between how he pitched last week and on Tuesday: “Just able to throw strikes. In the Bronx, I believe I pitched one curveball for a strike. The bigger dilemma I found myself in, I tried relentlessly to get beyond it. I was clearly going the wrong way. I continued walking men, trying to throw that flawless pitch.
“Today, I was able to throw it early in the count, behind in the count. Keep the hitters off my fastball.”
Insisted skipper Ron Washington: “I do not think he was overthrowing. He was equalizing with his change-up and his moving stuff. Elevated his fastball.”
Washington and Nippert mutually stated Nippert was not throwing to guard his role in the pitching rotation. Furthermore Nippert said he’ll happily start or come in from the bullpen. Since the Rangers are in wild card contention, each teammate’s role augments in significance.
“I truly want to contribute to this team,” he insisted. “It’s pleasant for us that we possess more arms now. Whomever’s hot you could go with.
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