ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Chi Chi Gonzalez calmed down enough following first-inning jitters in his major league debut to hold the Boston Red Sox hitless through five innings and he went on to earn the win in the Texas Rangers’ 8-0 victory Saturday night.
Gonzalez was again amped as manager Jeff Banister came out to remove him with two runners on and two outs in the sixth. Banister had to stop the 23-year-old right-hander as he prepared to head to the dugout.
“I asked him to listen to the noise and the crowd,” Banister said. “I said, ‘That’s for you. It’s getting ready to get real loud. Don’t ever forget this.'”
A Globe Life Park gathering of 42, 832 — surpassed this season only by the opening day crowd — likely won’t forget what they were part of Saturday.
Gonzalez went 5 2-3 innings, giving up two hits with five walks and two strikeouts.
Boston’s David Ortiz led off the sixth inning with an opposite-field double to the gap in left-center, ending the no-hit bid.
“He gave me a little clap, head nod, which was awesome,” Gonzalez said of Ortiz. “Just giving me respect, which I didn’t think — I’m a new guy, a rookie.
“It was awesome.”
Gonzalez threw 102 pitches. He and three relievers combined on a five-hitter.
Adam Rosales tied a career high with four hits for Texas.
Gonzalez was the first of the Rangers’ two first-round draft picks in 2013 (23rd overall) and was the organization’s minor league pitcher of the year last season. In eight starts this year for Triple-A Round Rock, he was 3-5 with a 4.15 ERA.
“He settled in and did exactly what we saw in spring training — threw strikes,” Banister said. “When he missed, they were down. All in all, it was a really nice night for Chi Chi.”
The Rangers went into the game tied with Oakland for the worst home record in the American League and won their second straight at home for the first time this season. They go into Sunday’s game having won two of three in the series with a chance to win a home series for the first time this year after failing six times.
“We’ve got to get on that roll, that this is our house,” Banister said.
SECOND THOUGHTS
Texas’ situation at second base shifted again Saturday with rookie Tommy Field, who joined the club May 11 and made 12 starts, being designated for assignment. Opening day starter Rougned Odor was sent to Round Rock a month ago hitting .144. Rookie Hanser Alberto, who made his big league debut on Friday night at shortstop, became the Rangers’ fourth starter at second base on Saturday night.
TEXAS JOSH 2.0
One game after hitting two home runs, Josh Hamilton went hitless in three at-bats with two strikeouts but also walked twice and scored. Through six consecutive games since being activated Monday, he’s hitting .286 (6 for 21).
TRAINER’S ROOM
Red Sox: LHP Edwin Escobar (elbow inflammation) has begun pitching in extended spring training games.
Rangers: RHP Neftali Feliz (arm abscess) will throw his first bullpen session on Sunday.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: RHP Joe Kelly (1-4) has four losses and four no-decisions after opening the season with a win at Yankee Stadium. One of the defeats came against Texas on May 20 despite allowing only two runs in seven innings.
Rangers: LHP Wandy Rodriguez (2-2) was signed on opening day, three days after being released by Atlanta. He won at Fenway Park on May 21, giving up one run in 6 2-3 innings.