Teagarden’s first hit makes the difference
By john • Jul 21st, 2008 • Category: major leagues, taylor teagarden, texas rangers, usa baseball
It’s been quite the week for Texas Rangers prospect Taylor Teagarden. In the last week he has played in the Futures Game, been selected to the U.S. Olympic team and made his major league debut.
On Sunday he collected his first big league hit, a solo home run off of Minnesota Twins starter Scott Baker who had a perfect game going in the sixth at the time.
Teagarden’s fly went to center field just past the out stretched arm of Twins center fielder Carlos Gomez.
The game ended 1-0 following a sterling performance by Vicente Padilla who went 7 innings allowing just three hits and two walks. Relievers Eddie Guardado and C.J. Wilson pitched the final two innings of the game.
“Teagarden was the hero today,” closer C.J. Wilson said. “He caught the shutout and hit the homer to win the game. And he threw a guy out [Brian Buscher in the fifth]. The only thing he didn’t do, I guess, was clean the stadium after we leave.”
The Rangers will need to send Teagarden down prior to Tuesday in order for him to participate in the Olympics. The team also is expected to activate Eric Hurley and Scott Feldman and considering that three catchers are on the active roster one will almost surely get sent down.
“I can’t tell Ron Washington that I want to go to Beijing, because that’s not even how I feel,” Teagarden said. “It’s such an honor to be asked to do that. But if I’m called upon to play in the big leagues, you better believe I want to be here in the big leagues.”
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