Joaquin Benoit has been a huge, pleasant surprise for the Texas Rangers in 2007
The Rangers were almost ready to give up on Joaquin Benoit before this season. They are glad they have held onto him as he has emerged as a part time closer for the Rangers after the trade of Eric Gagne to the Red Sox. Benoit has worked in 66 games this season for the Rangers and he is 7-4 with 5 saves, a 2.65 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. In 78 innings this season he has allowed 62 hits, walked 24 batters and whiffed 84. Before this season, Benoit had pitched in 159 games for the Rangers and he was 20-20 with 1 save and a 5.12 ERA. The Rangers are now 70-81 on the season which has them in last place in the American League West, 19 games behind the Angels but only 3 behind the A’s.