Right-hander Gonzalez might be called up to Rangers,
Mendoza, bullpen come through after starter is scratched.
Express right-hander Alex Gonzalez may have gotten the call he’s been waiting for Thursday, just hours before his scheduled start against El Paso at Dell Diamond.
Gonzalez (3-5 with a 4.15 ERA in 43 1/3 innings) was a late scratch as the Texas Rangers demoted Saturday’s scheduled starting pitcher Phil Klein to Triple-A on Thursday and promoted hot-hitting infielder Hanser Alberto.
The Rangers didn’t announce Gonzalez’s promotion, but the roster moves and scratched start may suggest the Rangers are looking to bolster their rotation with Baseball America’s No. 6-rated Rangers pros- pect, the Dallas Morning News reported.
Express officials said Gonzalez was not pulled for health issues, and the Morning News reported that Rangers manager Jeff Banister declined to name a starting pitcher for Saturday’s game against Boston.
The first-place Express started right-handed reliever Francisco Mendoza as Round Rock (3016 overall) closed out the eight-game home stand with 5-3 win over the Chihuahuas (24-22).
Mendoza, who made his Triple-A debut on May 22 against Albuquerque, went three innings, allowing four hits, one run and striking out five.
The bullpen continued to do the rest Thursday, allowing just two runs. Luke Jackson, who struck out three, picked up his first save.
With Alberto out of the lineup, Ed Lucas moved from first base and made his second start at short- stop this season. Lucas, 33, also has 34 starts at third and nine at first and second.
“I’ve played everywhere in the infield. I’ve caught before, but I don’t think you want to put me at catcher,” he joked.
Lucas can switch positions, but he doubted he could mimic El Paso starter Jason Lane’s career path. A former Express outfielder, Lane, 37, went six innings and allowed five hits and five runs (one earned) for the Chihuahuas.
Outfielder Jake Smolinksi tagged Lane with a three-run home run in the third inning that gave the Express a 4-1 lead. Smolinski was optioned back to Round Rock on Wednesday after three games with the Rangers.
The Express added another run in the fourth off a sacrifice fly from Ryan Strousborger.