Josh Donaldson

Matt Bush debuts with a perfect inning and calls it 'awesome'

Published May. 14, 2016 5:39 a.m. ET

foxsports

Friday certainly was a day to remember for Matt Bush.

The former No. 1 overall pick -- in 2004, as a shortstop, with the San Diego Padres -- made his long-awaited major-league debut after taking one of the most unlikely paths ever to The Show. There were the substance-abuse problems, the years in prison and the tribulations that go along with the conversion to a pitcher.

And then there he was on the mound at Globe Life Park on Friday night, just hours after his call-up from Double-A.

Bush entered with the game with his Texas Rangers trailing 5-0 in the top of the ninth inning. And he shut down the heart of the Toronto Blue Jays' lineup in order.

First came a strikeout of reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson, then popouts from sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. And there was plenty of upper-90s heat.

.@Rangers RHP Matt Bush begins @MLB career by striking out Josh Donaldson with 97-mph heat: https://t.co/Z8c2soHXhp pic.twitter.com/EYJtASJqdU
— MLB (@MLB) May 14, 2016

"I was just focused on being myself and continue what I was doing in Double-A," Bush said, according to the Rangers' website. "It was pretty surreal having those guys in there. It was just a boost of confidence, to be able to have a good inning like that is awesome."

It was just one inning in a loss, but it still was something no one could have dreamed of even a few months ago.

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