ARLINGTON, Texas – The Texas Rangers have all their attention on the Los Angeles Angels but also realize that there's a chance they could be playing baseball past Sunday.
Texas manager Ron Washington said that if the Rangers had to play in a play-in game Monday, rookie left-hander Martin Perez would get the start.
"If we have to play this through and it's turn on Monday, yes," Washington said. "It's another challenge and experience for him to get. He deserves it just like every other starter deserves it. I don't in the position we're in if we play this out and we end up having that opportunity, we can't finagle anything. We can't move anything around so it's going to stay the way it is."
Perez won his 10th game Wednesday, surpassing Matt Harrison for the most ever wins by a rookie Texas left-hander.
He's also one of two rookies (Tanner Roark) with seven-plus wins since the start of August.
Washington has been impressed with the way Perez has matured this year.
"His emotions are not as vivid anymore," Washington said. "He's able to check himself and get back into control. Each time he takes the baseball it's an experience."
