Jose Leclerc Takes Step Forward for Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers are taking their time in getting relief pitcher Jose Leclerc back on track.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Lost amid the Texas Rangers’ eight-run explosion that led to an 11-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday was pitcher Jose Leclerc’s scoreless ninth inning.

As the Rangers try to rebuild Leclerc as an option in the bullpen, ninth innings like the one he pitched against Oakland will help get him back in the mix in higher-leverage situations.

With the Rangers up eight runs, Leclerc threw a quality ninth. He started the frame with back-to-back strikeouts of Jesus Aguilar and Ramon Laureano.

Then, after allowing a single to Aledmys Diaz, struck out Shea Langeliers to end the game.

One inning, three strikeouts, one hit allowed and 16 pitches, 13 for strikes.

That’s what Rangers manager Bruce Bochy and his coaching staff want to see more often.

“I think so,” Bochy said Monday before 12-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves. “I think he looked good in that outing [Sunday]. His stuff picked up. Everything was good. That was really, I think, encouraging for him and he should feel good about that.”

Leclerc started the season as the primary option at closer, though he shared opportunities with Will Smith during the first month based on matchups. But Leclerc fell out of favor near the end of the April after blowing a pair of save opportunities.

Sunday’s game was his first without giving up a run since April 21 against Oakland.

He still has a ways to go. While he has a 3.00 ERA, in a recent five-game stretch he went 0-1 with a blown save in 3 2/3 innings, giving up five runs (four earned). He walked five, struck out three, gave up two home runs and allowed four of five inherited runners to score.

For right now, it’s small steps for Leclerc. But Sunday was a step forward.

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