Wandy Rodríguez
Encyclopedia
Wandy Fulton Rodríguez is a Dominican
pitcher
for the Houston Astros
. He is a native of Santiago Rodriguez, located in the North Region (Cibao Region) of the Dominican Republic
.
out 80 batters
throughout the season.
The Astros succeeded in getting to the 2005 World Series
in which they were swept in four games by the Chicago White Sox
. Rodríguez performed decently in the game 1 of the series, relieving Roger Clemens in the third inning with the score tied at 3. Rodriguez surrendered one more run in the bottom of the fourth inning, earning the loss as the White Sox went on to win 5-3. Rodriguez posted a 2.45 ERA in the four losses to the Chicago White Sox
.
In , after struggling to a 5.22 ERA
, Rodríguez was optioned to the minors on July 21. Brandon Backe
was activated from the 60-day disabled list to take his place on the major-league roster and the Astros rotation. However, Rodríguez was recalled on August 19 after Backe had to have Tommy John surgery
. Rodriguez finished the season with a 9-10 record and a 5.64 ERA, along with 98 strikeouts in 135 innings.
On July 6, 2007 Rodriguez earned his first complete-game shutout in a 4-hit performance against the New York Mets
. Rodriguez had his first full healthy season in the majors, as he started and played in 31 games, finishing with a 4.58 ERA and a 9-13 record, along with 158 strikeout in 182 innings. His BAA was a major improvement, going from .290 of the previous year to .254.
Rodriguez struggled with injuries again in 2008, starting only 25 games and pitching only 137 innings. However, his performance was a big improvement statistically-finishing with a 3.54 ERA and a 9-7 record, along with 131 strikeouts and a perfect fielding percentage.
Rodriguez had a career year in 2009, after being moved up into the #2 spot in the Astro's rotation behind ace Roy Oswalt
. He started in 33 games and pitched 205 innings while finishing with a 3.02 ERA, which ranked 9th in the NL. He struck out 193, ranking 8th and had his second complete game and shutout of his career.
Rodriguez regressed from his impressive 2009 campaign in the first half of 2010, going 6-11 with a 4.97 ERA with only 77 strikeouts in 101.1 innings pitched prior to the All-star break. He turned it around in the second half however, going 5-1 with a 2.11 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 93.2 innings, to finish with an 11-12 record with a 3.60 ERA and 178 strikeouts.
As of 2011, Rodriguez is the only current Astro (player or coach) remaining from the 2005 squad that went to the World Series
. On January 26, 2011, he and the Astros agreed to a new three-year contract for $34 million.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. He is a native of Santiago Rodriguez, located in the North Region (Cibao Region) of the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
.
Playing career
Rodríguez, who concluded with a 10-10 record in his 2005 rookie season, ended the season with a rocky September, going 1-4. Overall, he had a 5.53 ERA and struckStrike Out
Strike Out, , North American Harness racing championStrike Out was born in 1969 at Castleton Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, and is by Bret Hanover out of the mare Golden Miss....
out 80 batters
Batting (baseball)
In baseball, batting is the act of facing the opposing pitcher and trying to produce offense for one's team. A batter or hitter is a person whose turn it is to face the pitcher...
throughout the season.
The Astros succeeded in getting to the 2005 World Series
2005 World Series
The 2005 World Series, the 101st Major League Baseball championship series, saw the American League champion Chicago White Sox sweep the National League champion Houston Astros four games to none in the best-of-seven-games series, winning their third championship and first since 1917.Home-field...
in which they were swept in four games by the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. Rodríguez performed decently in the game 1 of the series, relieving Roger Clemens in the third inning with the score tied at 3. Rodriguez surrendered one more run in the bottom of the fourth inning, earning the loss as the White Sox went on to win 5-3. Rodriguez posted a 2.45 ERA in the four losses to the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
.
In , after struggling to a 5.22 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, Rodríguez was optioned to the minors on July 21. Brandon Backe
Brandon Backe
Brandon Allen Backe is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. He joined the Houston Astros in , after two seasons with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays....
was activated from the 60-day disabled list to take his place on the major-league roster and the Astros rotation. However, Rodríguez was recalled on August 19 after Backe had to have Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
. Rodriguez finished the season with a 9-10 record and a 5.64 ERA, along with 98 strikeouts in 135 innings.
On July 6, 2007 Rodriguez earned his first complete-game shutout in a 4-hit performance against the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. Rodriguez had his first full healthy season in the majors, as he started and played in 31 games, finishing with a 4.58 ERA and a 9-13 record, along with 158 strikeout in 182 innings. His BAA was a major improvement, going from .290 of the previous year to .254.
Rodriguez struggled with injuries again in 2008, starting only 25 games and pitching only 137 innings. However, his performance was a big improvement statistically-finishing with a 3.54 ERA and a 9-7 record, along with 131 strikeouts and a perfect fielding percentage.
Rodriguez had a career year in 2009, after being moved up into the #2 spot in the Astro's rotation behind ace Roy Oswalt
Roy Oswalt
Roy Edward Oswalt is an American Major League Baseball pitcher and Olympic gold medalist who is currently a free agent. Oswalt, a slender six-foot right-handed starting pitcher, is currently in his eleventh major league season...
. He started in 33 games and pitched 205 innings while finishing with a 3.02 ERA, which ranked 9th in the NL. He struck out 193, ranking 8th and had his second complete game and shutout of his career.
Rodriguez regressed from his impressive 2009 campaign in the first half of 2010, going 6-11 with a 4.97 ERA with only 77 strikeouts in 101.1 innings pitched prior to the All-star break. He turned it around in the second half however, going 5-1 with a 2.11 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 93.2 innings, to finish with an 11-12 record with a 3.60 ERA and 178 strikeouts.
As of 2011, Rodriguez is the only current Astro (player or coach) remaining from the 2005 squad that went to the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
. On January 26, 2011, he and the Astros agreed to a new three-year contract for $34 million.