ARLINGTON, Texas -- Interim Rangers manager Tim Bogar is not shy about going to the bullpen in the eighth inning.
The Rangers are hoping to get a chance to use the formula again for Sunday afternoon’s series finale against the Atlanta Braves set for 2:05 at Globe Life Park. The Rangers will be trying to win three in a row for the first time since mid-June.
In Friday’s 2-1 win over the Braves and again in a 3-2 victory Saturday, Bogar used three relievers in the eighth inning.
Just because the Rangers are eliminated from playoff hopes, there remains a responsibility to the other contenders.
“We’ve got a job to do for the rest of the league," said Bogar. “We are playing teams down the stretch that have a postseason chance."
In Friday’s game with the score tied 1-1, Shawn Tolleson entered to start the eighth and struck out Phil Gosselin. Left-hander Michael Kirkman was summoned and issued a walk. Then it was eventual winning pitcher Phil Klein coming on for a walk and two strikeouts.
On Saturday, with the Rangers up 3-2, Roman Mendez stayed on after a scoreless seventh to get the first out in the eighth. Kirkman got Freddie Freeman on a deep fly ball to right. Spencer Patton came on to strike out Justin Upton to end the inning.
For the ninth inning Friday, the Rangers turned to Neftali Feliz for his ninth save. On Saturday, Neal Cotts worked a scoreless ninth for his first save.
“We’ve got a lot of guys down there and we’re going to use them," Bogar said.
