Shawn Armstrong is off to a pretty good start this season for the Texas Rangers.
The journeyman reliever has had two solid outings in as many games for the Rangers. After bailing out his team after fellow reliever Luke Jackson gave up a three-run homer Thursday to the Boston Red Sox, Armstrong came through again on Friday as Texas got its first win of the season, 4-1.
On Thursday, Armstong got the final two outs, one by strikeout to end Boston’s inning. On Friday, he came on for starter Al Leiter in the sixth inning and struck out two after giving up a hit. Armstrong earned his first hold of the season.
The Rangers have their first shutdown inning of the year courtesy of Shawn Armstrong, who throws a scoreless 6th inning #AllForTX
— Kane McCutchen (@Kane_McCutchen6) March 29, 2025
oh hey a shutdown inning (from Shawn Armstrong)
— kennedi landry (@kennlandry) March 29, 2025
I don’t know who this Shawn Armstrong guy is, but I like him already
— Magi557 (@Magi557) March 29, 2025
Nice work from Shawn Armstrong pitching in back-to-back games. He allowed a leadoff single to Alex Bregman but left him at second after a groundout and two strikeouts.
He’s struck out three batters in 1.2 scoreless innings to start the season.
— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) March 29, 2025
Shawn Armstrong our ace relief pitcher pic.twitter.com/VA9eMvHw56
— x-DylanStr0meLover (@strome17lover) March 29, 2025
On X, fans were giving him praise as the Rangers search for the best relievers to close out games.
Jackson did bounce back and got the save, which is what he was called in to do on Thursday. So, for now at least, Jackson looks like he’s the odds on favorite to close Rangers games.
Photo credit: Shawn Armstrong (Texas Rangers photo)
Other Pirates in the pros
- Jeff Hoffman, Blue Jays: DNP in Toronto’s 8-2 win over Baltimore
- Alex Burleson, Cardinals: Off on Friday
- Gavin Williams, Guardians: Off on Friday
- Connor Norby, Marlins: On Injured Reserve
- Clayton McCullough, Marlins (manager): Team lost 4-3 to the Pirates; Marlins now 1-1 on season
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