MINNEAPOLIS -- Kip Wells has been thrust into a
playoff race.
After spending his entire career with the hapless Pittsburgh
Pirates, Wells was acquired by the Texas Rangers on Monday. The
righthander makes his debut for the Rangers on Wednesday
afternoon when they face the Minnesota Twins.
Wells (1-5, 6.69 ERA) left Pittsburgh in style, pitching seven
scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory over San Francisco last
Friday.
Wells missed the first 2 1/2 months of the season after
undergoing surgery for a blocked artery in his right arm in
March.
The Rangers are hoping Wells will be a valuable contributor down
the stretch, and also hope the offense stays consistent. Gary
Matthews Jr. provided the spark with four RBIs to pace the
Rangers to a 9-0 victory on Tuesday.
Twins rookie sensation Francisco Liriano will miss Wednesday's
scheduled start due to inflammation in his left elbow.
Liriano has emerged as one of the favorites for the Rookie of
the Year and Cy Young awards in the American League this season.
The 22-year-old lefthander has made 26 appearances - 14 starts
- for the Twins, going 12-2 with a major league-best 1.96 ERA.
Rookie Boof Bonser (2-2, 5.30 ERA) is expected to start in
Liriano's place.
Bonser has been inconsistent this season, which is epitomized by
his last two starts. In a 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on
June 24, Bonser allowed no runs and six hits in six innings.
But he lasted just three innings while giving up four runs in
a 7-2 loss to Kansas City on July 4.