Bacsik outstanding in debut
08/04/2004 8:53 PM ET
By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com
DETROIT -- From the moment he released his first pitch to Tigers leadoff hitter Alex Sanchez in the first inning Wednesday, Rangers starter Mike Bacsik became part of franchise folklore.
During the next 85 pitches that followed in the Rangers' 8-0 victory, he kept himself from becoming history.
Bacsik, the son of a former Rangers pitcher Mike Bacsik, allowed four hits in seven scoreless innings for the victory, earning his next big league start Monday at Baltimore along the way. In doing so, he became part of the first father-son tandem to ever play for the Rangers.
The elder Bacsik pitched for the Rangers from 1975-1977, but on this evening, it was junior's debut and his night to shine.
And with the Rangers in search of a No. 3 starter in the rotation, that's exactly what he did.
"It was pretty special for me," said Bacsik, who was informed he was starting Wednesday's game on Tuesday night. "We scored a lot and we started getting some quick outs. Luckily, I have been up here in the Major Leagues and I know not to put that much pressure on yourself."
Bacsik was perfect for the first three innings and did not allow a hit until the fourth frame when Alex Sanchez led off with a base hit to right field. The next batter, Omar Infante, reached base on an error, but Bacsik and the Rangers defense recovered to sit down the next three batters in order, including a strikeout by former Ranger Ivan Rodriguez for the first out to squash any scoring threat.
With the Rangers ahead, 4-0, in the fifth, Rondell White led off with a single, but was soon erased from the base paths when Marcus Thames followed by hitting into a 6-4-3 double play. Chris Shelton attempted to ignite the Tigers' offense with a sinking line drive to shallow center field, but Laynce Nix made a spectacular diving catch to his left for the final out to stymie any hint of Detroit momentum and quiet the Tigers faithful.
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