ARLINGTON, Texas - The odds were with a rookie to make an impact for the Texas Rangers Wednesday night in their series finale against Houston as the club started seven rookies including starting pitcher Lisalverto Bonilla.
All seven of them played a role in the 5- 1 beating of Houston that allowed the Rangers to sweep the series and win their 11th game in the last 12 contests.
Bonilla pitched six scoreless innings to pick up his third-consecutive win since joining the rotation. He got offensive support from homers from Rougned Odor and Ryan Rua. Catcher Tomas Telis made a nifty swipe tag to keep the game scoreless early while Luis Sardinas and Daniel Robertson each contributed with stolen bases and Jake Smolinski scored a run.
According to Elias, Wednesday marked just the third time in club history the Rangers have started at least seven rookies in a game and it was the first time since 1982. The Rangers started eight rookies in a game once in 1982 and seven in another that same season.
Bonilla set the pace with his six innings of four-hit ball and he also struck out seven while becoming the first pitcher in club history to win each of his first three starts.
"I feel great and I'm very happy," said Bonilla. "My focus is with the catcher. I don't want to feel the pressure. I don't want to get along with the emotions of the game. I want to feel as calm as I can."
Bonilla avoided an early deficit when Leonys Martin cut down Robbie Grossman at the plate in the third inning of a scoreless game. The Rangers took the lead an inning later on an RBI double from Elvis Andrus and then the rookies took over.
Odor's seventh-inning solo homer was followed later in the inning by a three-run blast from Rua. Since Aug. 29 Odor is the club's RBI leader with 15 and Rua is second with 13.
"It shows that we're all confident," Rua said of the rookie play. "It shows that the developmental side of the minor-league system is great getting us ready for this. That's what everyone works for. It's good for the organization."
