‘The Mosquito’ makes major league debut, but Texas Rangers stung in loss to LA Angels

Yonny Hernandez’s nickname is the “Mosquito” because “he’s a pest on the field,” Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward said.

Hernandez made his major league debut on Thursday at Globe Life Field after being recalled from Triple A Round Rock as outfielder Eli White was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right elbow strain.

Hernandez, who played third base and batted ninth, went 0-for-2 with a walk as the Rangers closed out a nine-game homestand with a 5-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Texas, which opens a six-game road trip Friday at Oakland, went 4-5 on the homestand but dropped the last three to the Angels.

“He’s a ballplayer. That’s the best compliment I can give is that he’s a ballplayer,” Woodward said before the game. “I’ve watched him since I’ve been here. He walks, he doesn’t punch out. He does what it takes to win games.”

Hernandez, who also committed a throwing error Thursday, debuted for the Rangers in 2015 in the Dominican Summer League.

In 61 games with Round Rock this season, Hernandez batted .250 with a .424 on-base percentage, 51 walks and 21 stolen bases.

Hernandez also bring versatility to the big league club. He has played second base, shortstop and third base this season, and also has played some outfield during his minor league career.

“He can play anywhere and is consistent,” Woodward said. “In the batter’s box or on the field, he’s exactly the type of player we look for. He’s a pest on the field and does anything he can to help you win and he’s been doing that ever since I’ve been here. Our player development has raved about this guy. We get to see him in a big league uniform. It’s pretty cool.”

Delino DeShields trade

The Rangers and Boston Red Sox agreed to a minor league trade on Thursday that sends Delino DeShields to Boston in return for cash considerations.

DeShields, who was with Triple A Round Rock, will head to Worcester, Boston’s Triple A affiliate.

DeShields spent his first five major league seasons with the Rangers before he was traded to Cleveland after the 2019 season. He returned to the franchise and spent this season in Triple A, where he played 66 games for Round Rock.

He batted .263 with five home runs, 50 walks and 16 stolen bases.

Selected in the first round of the 2010 MLB Draft by Houston, DeShields never reached the majors until the Rangers drafted him in the 2014 Rule 5 Draft. He made Texas’ opening day roster in 2015.

In five seasons with the Rangers, DeShields batted .246 with 18 home runs and and 106 stolen bases.

Also Thursday, outfielder Willie Calhoun (fractured forearm) was transferred from the 10-day to 60-day IL.

Howard also makes debut in loss

Newly acquired starting pitcher Spencer Howard made his Rangers debut on Thursday against the Angels and lasted 2 1/3 innings. Howard was part of the trade that sent Rangers pitchers Ian Kennedy and Kyle Gibson to Philadelphia.

Howard rolled through the first two innings.

After leading off the game with a four-pitch walk, Howard fanned the next two batters, including Shohei Ohtani, but ran into trouble in the third.

Adam Eaton led off the frame with a solo home run to right field. Jack Mayfield followed with a single to right and advanced to third on an error that went into the Rangers’ dugout.

Two more runs came across as LA grabbed a 3-0 lead.

“[Spencer did] fine. Right around the pitch count we wanted,” Woodward said. “Last inning, the spin wasn’t as sharp, but the fastball was coming out with life. Just that mistake to Eaton. Outside of that, he was decent.”

The Angels added two more in the sixth on a two-run single to left from Jose Iglesias.

Howard (0-3) allowed three runs on three hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

Overall, Texas pitching recorded 11 strikeouts.

“Not as sharp as I would have liked, but still just learning from it and building off it so all in all, just have to progress,” Howard said. “I’m excited to get to work here. It felt good to shake the rust off and get out there and compete. Just being more consistent here, pounding the mechanics, getting better with repetition and routine, and that will start to fall in place.”

Allard solid in battle vs. Ohtani

Despite a good effort from Texas starting pitcher Kolby Allard, Ohtani and the Angels edged the Rangers 2-1 late Wednesday at Globe Life Field.

Allard (2-10) gave up two earned runs on six hits and struck out three in six innings. Ohtani (6-1) gave up one earned run on four hits and struck out six in six innings.

Ohtani, a leading MVP candidate who leads the majors with 37 home runs, also batted second and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout.

The Rangers’ only run came in the sixth on an Adolis Garcia groundout.

The Texas bullpen of Jimmy Herget, Joe Barlow and Drew Anderson gave up just two hits and no runs in three innings.