SAN DIEGO - Once is an experiment. Twice is a trial. Three times, apparently, is a success.
And after that: Well, it's a trend.
A day after the Rangers won for the first time ever in a game started by an "opener," on Saturday, they used an opener for the second consecutive game and the fourth overall. It's the first time they've used openers on consecutive days.
Over the final two weeks of the season, using an opener may become more regular than beginning the game with a starter. The Rangers have only two starters: Mike Minor and Yovani Gallardo.