Staff report
It happens occasionally, the manager of a team on the short end of a lopsided score choosing not to work his relief pitchers.
That was the case Thursday night, when the Texas Rangers trailed the Minnesota Twins 9-1 in the late innings. And instead of going to his bullpen for one of his pitchers, he turned to a position player. And that player was Fort Loramie’s Jared Hoying.
Hoying had just been called up to the big club for the second time this season a day earlier when the Rangers were in Boston, and got two hits and drove in a run.
On Thursday, the Rangers opened a home series against the Twins and things didn’t go well. So when it was time for another pitching change in the ninth inning, manager Jeff Banister turned to Hoying.
It was the first time Hoying had pitched since he played for coach Bill Sturwold at Fort Loramie, he told writer T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. “I didn’t pitch much at all then, may 2-3 times,” Hoying said. “I can’t say this is something I expected.”
Sullivan said in his story, which is on the Rangers’ website, that Hoying “didn’t extend himself, throwing almost everything between 59 and 62 miles per hour.”
According to the story, the scoreboard said Hoying was throwing a knuckleball, but that wasn’t the case.
“Just a super-slow ball,” Hoying told the writer. “I was just trying to lob it up there and throw it down the middle.”
Hoying first retired Eduardo Escobar on a liner to Ryan Rua at first base before getting Max Kepler to pop up to shortstop Elvis Andrus. But Kennys Vargas then homered before Eddie Rosario grounded out to short.
Hoying was told in the eighth inning that he might have to pitch.
“I had to ask where the bullpen was,” Hoying said. “I didn’t know how to get to the bullpen through the tunnel. (Bullpen coach Brad Holman) said to throw strikes and keep it under hitting speed.
“It was quirky,” Hoying said. “You never want to do that, because it means we’re losing, but you go out there, save somebody’s arm and move on to the next day.”
Craig Stammen
Stammen, a Versailles High grad, reported to the Akron Rubber Ducks, the Indians’ Class AA team, and saw action Thursday night against Altoona as he continues his rehab.
He pitched one inning in a 6-2 loss, and allowed one hit, one walk and struck out one. He did not allow a run.
Cory Luebke
Luebke, from nearby Maria Stein, had a good appearance for the Class A Jupiter Hammerheads in the Florida State League.
He started the game Thursday against St. Lucie and went one inning, retiring all three batters and striking out two of them.
He signed earlier this week with the Florida Marlins.
