ARLINGTON, Texas — Chris Woodward didn’t want to put the weight of the world on starting pitcher Taylor Hearn’s shoulders, but he did need Hearn’s absolute best on Saturday night. Actually, more specifically, he needed Hearn’s absolute maximum.
From a pitch count perspective, Woodward pretty much got that from Hearn, but considering the way this season has gone so far, Woodward still needed more.
The Rangers lost to the Los Angeles Angels, 7-2, on Saturday night in a way that’s starting to make this season feel like an iteration of Groundhog Day. Hearn threw 82 pitches and allowed three runs in 3 2/3 innings before Woodward called on the bullpen for the rest of the game — a group that owns the most bullpen innings per game in the league with over five a game. The five Rangers bullpen arms allowed four runs, including two home runs.
