Left-handed pitcher Joe Palumbo made his big league debut for the Texas Rangers Saturday afternoon against the Oakland Athletics. The #7 prospect threw 66 pitches over four innings, allowing six hits and four earned runs. He got off to a hot start, striking out two of the first three batters he faced, then pitched comfortably through three innings after his offense got him a 5-0 lead.
The fourth inning gave him trouble, however. It was his second time through the Oakland lineup. He gave up a double to Marcus Semien (leadoff hitter), a single to Khris Davis (4th place hitter), a two-run homer to Matt Olson (6th), hit Chad Pinder (7th) with a pitch, then gave up a single to Ramon Laureano (8th) and a double to Josh Phegley (9th).