MESA, Ariz. – A.J. Griffin couldn’t hide a wide smile after his outing Thursday night.
Healthy, happy and battling for a spot in Texas’ rotation, Griffin acknowledged he took satisfaction in pitching well against the A’s in the Rangers 12-1 rout at Hohokam Stadium.
Released by Oakland in November, Griffin held his old team to one run over five innings. He struck out four, walked one and, most importantly to him, maintained his focus. A gregarious sort, Griffin said hi to plenty of friends in green and gold before the game, but once it started, “I was trying not to look at anyone when they stepped in the box.