Connect the Dots

Yesterday, the Rangers started Kumar Rocker against the White Sox. Rocker came into the game with a 1-4 record; 8.87 ERA; and 1.84 WHIP. In other words, he was giving up nearly two baserunners an inning. But White Sox hitters healed him. Rocker threw five shutout innings for the win in a 2-1 game, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out six. For the game, Sox “hitters” struck out twelve times while walking twice. Wait, there’s more. The recently demoted Tim Elko homered for Charlotte yesterday, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Elko is hitting.325 with the Knights, .155 with the Sox. Maybe he’s just a 4-A ballplayer. Or maybe Jim Rickon is a really good hitting coach. In which case, a team that was handcuffed by a pitcher with a 8.87 ERA should give serious thought to promoting him.