ARLINGTON -- Rangers manager Jeff Banister admitted that he is "flying without a net" by not having a long reliever.
The Rangers could have been in trouble on Thursday if Lucas Harrell had not survived his early-inning troubles. Instead he fought his way through six innings, although he gave up six runs and threw 118 pitches.
Harrell's toughness in the intense heat was remarkable, but it was a reminder that the Rangers don't have a true long reliever.
"I was ultra-aware of that going into the game," Banister said. "Yeah, the Flying Wallendas didn't have a net either.