• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Escobar should know his fate before facing Rangers

Jul 5, 2007 - 2:52 PM LA Angels (51-33) at Texas (36-48), 8:35 pm EDT

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Kelvim Escobar is in the midst of a five-way battle for the 32nd and final spot on the American League All-Star team. Unfortunately, he does not get one more start to impress the voters.

The final vote will be announced on Thursday night, just before Escobar takes the mound for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim when they visit the Texas Rangers.

As of Wednesday, Boston reliever Hideki Okajima held a slim lead over Detroit's Jeremy Bonderman, Minnesota's Pat Neshek, Escobar, and Toronto's Roy Halladay in the balloting.

Escobar (9-3, 3.32 ERA) must certainly hope the fans do not hold his last start against him. The veteran righthander turned in his worst effort of the season last Friday, yielding seven runs and 10 hits in just 4 1/3 innings at Baltimore.

The Venezuelan has struggled against the Rangers in his career, posting a 3-8 record with a 4.45 ERA in 30 appearances - 12 starts. However, he picked up his first win of the 2007 campaign against Texas on April 3.

The Rangers will counter with Robinson Tejeda (5-7, 6.69). The 25-year-old righthander has made it past the fifth inning just once in his last 10 starts, due mainly to problems with his command. He ranks third in the AL in walks allowed with 46 on the season.

Jamey Wright's victory on Wednesday continued a run of successful appearances for Texas starters. Over the last 19 games, the starting staff has gone 10-4, giving up four or fewer earned runs 17 times.