It was only one start, but on Monday night, Texas Rangers pitcher Bartolo Colon turned back the clock.
In their quest to fix their pitching woes, the Texas Rangers opted to take the quantity over quality approach, signing every arm possible to a minor league deal. One of those pitchers was Bartolo Colon, a fan favorite, but one whose best days appeared to be far behind him.
It was difficult to see what, exactly, the Rangers felt they would get from Colon. After all, he was a disaster with the Braves, being released midseason. Even though Colon performed better in Minnesota, his overall 7-14 record, along with his 6.48 ERA and 1.587 WHiP, were numbers for a pitcher at the end of the line. At 44 years old, the end was in sight for Big Sexy.
As such, when the Rangers turned to Colon on Monday night, not much was expected. And then, when Colon stepped on the mound, he turned back the clock. Instead of being the washed up jollux he had been last year, Colon was back pounding the strike zone was great efficiency. he threw six solid innings, allowing just one run on seven hits and a walk, striking out four batters as he took a no decision.
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Even though the Rangers would go on to lose the game, that outing was still far more than they could have dreamed of. Colon was a strike throwing machine once again, filling the zone with 62 of his 89 pitches. He only had two three ball counts, and his only real mistake resulted in a third inning home run by Matt Chapman.
Typically known for throwing almost nothing but fastballs, Colon showed a bit more diversity in that outing. He threw 10 changeups and more sinkers than in years past on Monday, while decreasing the amount of four seam fastballs he threw. Perhaps that change in repertoire can help explain that unexpected success that Colon had against the Athletics, his evolution as he continues to pitch into his mid 40s not yet complete.
Of course, it is fair to give the outing the usual caveats. It is just one outing, and anyone can have that one game where they look competent. The A’s have not exactly been the reincarnation of Murderer’s Row through the first five games of the season either, with a .691 OPS. Their 43 strikeouts are also the fifth most in baseball, as they have helped out the opposition quite a bit.
Nonetheless, it is an encouraging start for Colon. This gives him, and the Rangers, hope that maybe he can rebound one more time. Having Colon get back to being the pitcher he had been even two years ago could go a long way towards the Rangers hopes of being able to contend in the 2018 campaign.
For one night, Bartolo Colon found the Fountain of Youth. The Texas Rangers are hoping that he can continue to turn back time.