Gallardo eager for August, hopefully in Texas

ARLINGTON -- Yovani Gallardo is still with the Rangers and Cole Hamels is not officially here yet.

On the day before the non-waiver Trade Deadline, the Rangers and the Phillies were busy taking care of all the administrative details involved in completing the eight-player deal that will bring Hamels to Texas. Medical records were exchanged and the Commissioner's Office signed off on the financial components of the deal. All that is left is some paperwork before the deal is officially announced on Friday.

Gallardo still has some waiting to do before the 3 p.m. CT Deadline expires. Clubs have expressed interest, and scouts from the Dodgers, Giants, Pirates and Blue Jays were all at Thursday's start in the Rangers' 7-6 win over the Yankees. Gallardo's next start will be in August, and by then, he will have July behind him. That is a good thing.

"I agree, August can't come soon enough," Gallardo said.

Gallardo is hoping to be a part of a rotation that includes Hamels.

"That would be awesome," Gallardo said. "He makes us better. I have seen him quite a bit in the National League, and he has great stuff. Hopefully I can stick around and enjoy the next couple of months."

Gallardo enjoyed Thursday night as the Rangers rallied for the victory, earning a split of the four-game series. Josh Hamilton, who had a three-run home run in the first inning, delivered the game-winner with two outs in the ninth on an RBI single off reliever Andrew Miller.

Gallardo went six innings and allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out one. He gave up home runs to Mark Teixeira and Brian McCann, but also retired 10 of the last 13 batters he faced.

"In the last three innings, we were able to mix in some changeups and some offspeed pitches and get them off the fastball," Gallardo said. "To get out of the jams I did was definitely a positive."

Gallardo still hasn't won since June 27, but he said this outing was much better than his two previous when he couldn't go more than four-plus innings.

"I felt good," Gallardo said. "I threw strikes and pounded the strike zone. I can live with that. The last two starts, I was walking guys and that was hurting me."

Now he waits. Gallardo was 0-3 with a 5.46 ERA in six starts in July, with opponents hitting .300. He is also a nine-year veteran with a track record of success and there are clubs looking for starting pitching.

The Rangers will listen, but not give him away. They'll insist on value in return or Gallardo will stay in the rotation the rest of the season.

"My main thing is just to keep going out there," Gallardo said. "The last couple of starts I haven't pitched the way I am capable, but I feel confident in my stuff. Unfortunately I had a few rough starts at this time of year, but it's not the first time that I have struggled in my career. It's a matter of making adjustments and pounding the strike zone."