“I just need to get better.”

That was Jack Leiter’s quote after last night’s game. Sad to say, it’s been his mantra since he made his first major league start.

Leiter is a hint. A wisp. He’s supposed to be good but just hasn’t done it consistently enough. He’s like walking through the narrow streets of Venice. He turns one corner, only to find another. Then another. Then another. 

After last night’s 6-0 loss to Cleveland in which the 26-year-old righty gave up five runs in 4.2 innings, Leiter’s ERA is now 4.69 through 13 starts this season.

His previous start against Kansas City was dominating: no earned runs in 5.2 innings. But, as has frustratingly been the case with Leiter, he can never seem to generate any sustained excellence.

He held the Guardians hitless through the first three innings. Gave up a leadoff homerun to eventual Hall of Famer Jose Ramirez to lead off the third. Then fell apart in the fifth, giving up four runs and putting the nail in the coffin of a Rangers team that once again was unable to generate any offense.

It’s a sign of the frustrating season this has been. A win would have put the Rangers at .500. They lost. Shutout. Leiter fell apart after a nice first three innings. 

More of the same for the Rangers and for Leiter. Both just need to get better.

*****