On Monday 25 year old Grant Anderson got the call up from Triple A Round Rock to join the Texas Rangers. On Tuesday he was making his major league debut as a reliever for the Rangers.
Manager Bruce Bochy didn’t exactly toss him the ball underhanded. He put him in the game in the fifth with the Rangers holding a 7-6 lead against Detroit and the tying run at second base.
Anderson threw his first pitch high out of the strike zone. And then he settled in.
The former West Orange-Stark/McNeese star sat down eight of the nine hitters he faced. He collected four consecutive strikeouts to start and finished with SEVEN K’s in 2 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. Texas would go on to win 10-6.
Baseball is full of crazy stats. But here’s one Anderson can add his name to: Anderson became the 6th pitcher in MLB history to strike out the first 4 batters he faced in his MLB debut.
Veteran manager Bochy said, “I know in all my years, I can’t think of a better debut than what he did. Seven strikeouts is just so impressive. He had so much poise out there.”
Anderson got the water treatment after being named player of the game.(photo courtesy of the Texas Rangers)
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