Texas manager Bochy says he'll consider a rotation spot for Latz after impressive start vs. Orioles
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob Latz delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob Latz delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob Latz delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Baltimore Orioles' Jackson Holliday (7) tosses his bat after being walked by Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob Latz during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob Latz delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob Latz delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
BALTIMORE (AP) — Jacob Latz may have earned a spot in the Texas Rangers' rotation.
Manager Bruce Bochy says he'll consider it.
'Of course,' Bochy said. 'He's a weapon whether he starts or he's in the bullpen, but he's stretched out. You've heard me say he's got starter's stuff.'
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Latz took a no-hitter into the seventh inning Tuesday night against Baltimore, and although the Rangers blew a four-run lead, they recovered to win 6-5 in 10. Latz set career highs in innings pitched (six-plus) and pitches (88) and lowered his ERA on the season to 3.22.
'I don't know the plans going forward. I was kind of just trying to soak it all up today," Latz said. 'It was just a lot of fun out there.'
In his third career start and second of the season, Latz didn't allow a hit until Ramon Laureano singled to center to start the bottom of the seventh. A walk later, Latz was removed, but a 4-0 Texas lead didn't last much longer.
Chris Martin came on and gave up homers to each of his three batters — Gary Sanchez, Ramón Urías and Ryan O'Hearn — and left with the Rangers down 5-4. But a sacrifice fly by Jonah Heim the following inning tied it, and Evan Carter slid home safely on Sam Haggerty's grounder in the 10th.
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Latz walked three and struck out four — including the last three hitters of the fifth inning. His previous longest outing in the majors was Thursday, when he threw 5 2/3 innings of relief in a loss to Kansas City.
'That's one of the better jobs in all of baseball — to be a starting pitcher,' Latz said. 'I'm not going to say I don't want to be a starting pitcher. Obviously I do. I'm comfortable either way obviously. If it's in the rotation, it's great.'
___
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