Justin Grimm: Texas Rangers Righty Earns AL Worst of the Night Honors

Justin Grimm's first major league start went pretty well. The Texas Rangers' 23-year-old righty allowed three runs over six innings against the Houston Astros, earning the win in a game the Rangers won by the final of 8-3.

His second major league start didn't go so well.

On Monday night against the Detroit Tigers, Grimm managed to record just three outs. In his one inning of work, he allowed six earned runs on eight hits and a walk.

Five of the six runs the Tigers earned against Grimm came in the first inning. Austin Jackson started things off with a double, Quintin Berry reached on a bunt single, Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run double to right-center, Delmon Young singled home Cabrera, Jhonny Peralta doubled...

Well, you get the point. It was a rough start, to say the least.

Ron Washington sent Grimm back out there for the second inning, though. That decision immediately backfired, as Grimm started the inning by walking Berry and then giving up a single to Cabrera.

After that, Washington had seen enough. Michael Kirkman came in and gave up a sacrifice fly to Prince Fielder that resulted in the sixth run charged to Grimm.

The Rangers went on to lose 8-2.

According to Baseball-Reference.com, Grimm earned a game score of 12. His ERA jumped from 4.50 to 11.57, and his WHIP now stands at 2.14.

Credit where credit is due, at least Grimm threw 34 of his 52 pitches for strikes. But as Anthony Andro of FoxSportsSouthwest.com pointed out, that was part of the problem:

"

Just like he was in his first start, Justin Grimm is a strike thrower. Problem is Tigers are strike hitters.

— Anthony Andro (@aandro) June 25, 2012"

So take note, kids: Don't throw strikes. Ever.

Monday's start could be Grimm's last for a while. The word from Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram is that the Rangers are calling up prized left-handed prospect Martin Perez, and that he may take Grimm's roster spot.

If Grimm does end up being sent down to the minors, at least he'll have a trophy to take with him. He is the winner of today's American League "Worst of the Night" award.

Which, in case you're curious, is a golden troll face on a stand (in my mind, anyway).

It's not all bad, though. At least Grimm has a win under his belt. As TCU media relations guru Mark Cohen pointed out, that gives him one more than a certain Philadelphia Phillies lefty:

"

A tough outing for the Rangers' Justin Grimm, but he still has more wins this season than Cliff Lee.

— Mark Cohen (@tcusid) June 25, 2012"

So at least Grimm has that going for him, which is nice.

If you ever want to nominate somebody for American League "Worst of the Night" honors, hit me up on Twitter.