Rangers Lose, Hamilton Slumping Again

Josh Hamilton struck out three more times tonight, including once as the lead run in the 7th inning. I suppose he must have started dipping again. That’s five K’s in the last two games and even worse tonight, he took a very bad angle on a ball hit to the right center gap. I feel pretty certain had he not taken such a drastic one in towards second base from center, he would have had a better chance to make a play. It was so bad, that I let Scott Feldman off the hook in the fifth inning, as the flood gates opened after that.  We just can’t seem to get to 22 games over .500.

Positives from tonight: Ian went yard and even better, so did Geovany Soto. While he has had little success throwing out base-runners,  he has been great with the pitchers and now his bat is starting to look good. He may end up making J.D. looking even more like a genius. …David Murphy is now showing everybody that he is serious about being a full-time player for the Rangers…still swinging the bat, he made a hellacious play in the field tonight, nailing a runner at second trying to stretch a single to a double….the law firm of Kirkman, Scheppers and Ross shutdown the Orioles the rest of the way tonight, allowing only one base hit while striking out four and walking none.

We face our former teammate, Tommy Hunter tomorrow night. On the hill for the good guys, Derek Holland. He has spent some quality time with Ryan Dempster, as they had a dual of Harry Carey impersonations. Derek has been hard on himself lately. Something I think that had been missing. But still being a youngster, I think he may have over-compensated that way, so it was nice to see him have a little fun. Hopefully “shutdown” Derek will show up. I think we’re also about due to see Mike Olt get some swings in too. So back to 21 over tomorrow and maybe we can close the deal over the weekend against the improved Twins.

HOLY COW!!!!

Rangers Bounce Back, Beat Sox 6-3

One of the hardest things as a fan has been sitting through entire games we could win and then ultimately lose. Tonight we had to wait until the sixth inning but were rewarded with a solid 6-3 win. Ryan Dempster was as advertised. He missed his spots a couple of times and paid the ultimate price when Will Middlebrooks hit a 3 run shot off of him in the 7th. That came after Ryan’s only walk of the night. He was pretty efficient and it appeared only Cody Ross had his number tonight. Josh Hamilton looked as good as we have seen him in a while. Waiting an extra beat on off-speed pitches for base hits. He did as he said he needed to do and let the game come to him. Robbie Ross, Mike Adams and closer Joe Nathan all had solid outings as well.

Dustin Pedroia was rung up with a HORRIBLE call on a check swing in the eighth and did not go quietly into the good night.  After giving first base umpire Paul Bauert a piece of his mind on his way back to the dugout and then FROM the dugout, he decided being about 30 feet away when the Red Sox took the field would be a better place to let it all out. Except he really didn’t get the chance. Anybody notice that Bobby Valentine looks like Robert Blake when he is going at it with an ump? Not the cute kid from the Little Rascals, but the guy who went back to get his gun at Vitellos.

We wrap up this series and the road trip in the morning (for me) and I am hopeful the “good” Matt Harrison shows up. We need back to back strong starts from our starters. Dempster was good and I think he will be better. We await results from the OAK-LAA game tonight and see if we are five or six games up. But for the night, I will take this.

 

Let’s Get on the Rotation-Go-Round

Sorry I haven’t posted. Things are heating up with the new radio station and I have been buried. I am claiming multiple posts Friday keep my everyday post in-tact. It’s a creative way to make things work. Kind of like what the Rangers are having to do right now. As I write this, we await word on Alexi Ogando’s injury. They are saying we will know about a DL stint tomorrow. Just another rotation injury. Here’s the latest:

Derek Holland– No structural damage to his throwing shoulder. He lost 15 pounds due to illness and they are saying he will need to get back into overall physical shape to get back to it.

Neftali Feliz– He met with Wash to talk about being in another role when he returns from the DL. Looks like Roy Oswalt will get his spot.

Roy Oswalt- Scheduled to throw 100 pitches tomorrow night for Frisco. That would have him ready to go for the Rangers Sunday or Monday. Barring complications.

Alexi Ogando– Tweaked his hammy running to first (hey he’s pretty fast). Tomorrow we learn if a DL stay will be for him. I am guessing yes.

Robbie Ross– Threw 4 innings yesterday. Very well I might add. Were they stretching him out to start?

So our rotation for the week is Lewis-Harrison-Feldman-Darivsh (on extra rest).  After that? Not so sure. The ESPN schedule has Ogando as next. Too soon for Oswalt. Would it be Ross? Would Colby pitch on short rest?

We did mange to score some runs this weekend. Saw a story in the Dallas Morning News about how we hit a good pitcher yesterday. I didn’t read it because the answer was easy. He isn’t that good this year. So bad has he been, that I wouldn’t take him in a trade right now. We have Arizona and Houston this week. Arizona can rake, Houston not so much. I STILL think we should entertain bringing the ridiculously hot Mike Olt up and take him for a spin.  It’s a double win. It could provide some much-needed offense and it could also give Michael Young the motivation he lacks this season. I know this is one of those crazy message board thoughts (have you read those??), but it doesn’t upset the apple cart too much. It also looks like Craig Gentry is working his way into a full-time job. It’s been a lot of fun to watch him the last week.

Happiness is a Long Game with a Happy Ending

With every passing game and more than a few opportunities, it was just a matter of time before we had a walk-off win. Today was the day. It was made even more perfect because the Jays had just taken a lead in the top of the 13th. Love our guys. They never quit. Another remarkable stat that caught me off guard. I knew we had played .500 ball in the previous twenty games before this home stand started, come to find out, no back to back wins since May 10th and 11th.

It was moments like today I couldn’t be a GM. I would have summoned Josh Hamilton to the carpeted office to sign his extension. OK, not really. But the moment wasn’t actually when the ball cleared the center field wall. It wasn’t when Josh touched home plate. It was Josh, after the mob scene broke up at home, taking time to celebrate separately with Alberto Gonzales. Our star. Jammin’ on it with a bench player. Nice.

Other notes from today….Note to Wash: The season is still relatively young. Why not take the suddenly red-hot Mitch Moreland for a spin against lefties?  Sitting him for the still ill and still slumping Mike Napoli was kind of a slap in the face. I know, you’re not platooning. But it sure looks like it….Question of the day: Can Colby seriously not make a start that doesn’t include giving up a homer? Hey home plate ump Marty Foster- you bouncing Henderson Alvarez was cool. Did you do it because there had been a touch of bad blood when we were up in Toronto? I LOVED our 7-8-9 hitters opening a can of whoop ass on the Blue Jay bullpen in the sixth inning. They might need a spotter when they come to Arlington…Mike Adams appears to be back and Joe Nathan appears to be pitching in 2009 again….Alexi Ogando is in a bit of a slump. He knows it and I’m not worried….Cool Fact of the Day- Robbie Ross was born when Jays infielder Omar Vizquel was a rookie…Yu Darvish on the bump tomorrow. You know he’ll be out to get back on track tomorrow and handled the Jays last time….Know how I know Wash is a good manager? Look at the pic.

Rangers Handle the Astros

It was a game we needed. And we had to overcome a little bit of trouble to get it done. Mainly the control problems of Neftali Feliz. It was the same story with him tonight. Almost unhitable, but plenty of base runners. He struck out six but walked five including the unforgivable walk of the opposing pitcher.  He went deep into the count so many times, he hit 100 pitches in the fifth inning. An inning he couldn’t even finish. His performance prompted a visit from Ron Washington and a serious talk in the dugout from him as well.  It’s time to remember he is only 24 and has basically changed jobs. I remember plenty of times that he worked exactly this was as a closer. Not sure if it is adrenaline or concentration. But he is a work in progress.

Adrian Beltre hit a mammoth shot in the 7th inning.  It was a solo shot, but a no-doubter.  Houston, going through offensive problems, really never threatened because our bullpen got it done again. It all added up to win number 5 for rookie Robbie Ross and another save for Joe Nathan, who threw for the fourth straight game. He has been very strong of late and it appears the closer’s spot is not one for worry right now.

One other very cool thing tonight. It was one of those moments that is a reward of sorts for hardcore fans.  We are the ones who not only watch the wins and losses, and the great plays, but those moments I talked about a couple of weeks ago. Things like Yu Darvish and Neffi Feliz becoming friends and Yu learning Spanish. Tonight it was a simple pop fly behind third. Adrian Beltre was parked under it and for sure was yelling “I got it, I got it”, when Elvis Andrus ran in front of him. It seems Elvis was just having some fun with Beltre and on the slow motion replay you could see Adrian say “get away from me”, as they both laughed.  Another thing, along with the team having a good laugh after Neffi’s first at bat, that shows this team is close. And this is special.

One other matter, it happened before the game. There had been buzz that made it look like we had at least been talking to Josh Hamilton’s agent. Not only did Nolan Ryan dispel that but indicated that he expects Josh to test the market when the season is over. Just a hunch? They tried and the Hamilton camp simply wants too much. Hopefully we’ll never know because we will get him signed. But with his start and the way they threw around money this past off-season, I don’t think we feel like many, if any, players are worth that kind of money. So enjoy him while we have him.  As a fan of all we have done the last two years and so far this season, it will hurt, but I’m with Nolan.

Robbie Ross Wears the Wrong Jersey

This is a funny story. The best part of this story isn’t that Robbie had the wrong jersey on. It’s what Brandon Snyder said to him.

Been checking the radar all day. Looks good to start the game…..so far.

Robbie Ross on jersey faux pas: “I guess I’ve got to wear it” | Texas Rangers Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | The Dallas Morning News.

 

Save a Horse Ride a Yankee

I really prefer these kinds of streaks. The winning of all of our series so far kind of streak. We’ve won all six this year and the last few of last year. In fact the only series we haven’t won since last year was THAT series. Before this great team was built, our previous stronghold on the AL West in the 90’s ended in futility against the Yankees.  It is always nice to dispense of them. Even better it is with the new Ranger style of play. The new style? Guess which Rangers will kill you tonight? So many times a team will hop on the back of one or two players getting hot. Not the case with this team, with different faces sending us into the win column with each win.

I am seeing a lot of regular Ranger prognosticators weighing in with its still early” and I won’t be one to rock the boat. I am a big believer in baseball karma. The more smack you talk, the bigger the price. But I will say it is great to see trouble in Anaheim with some back biting (regards to Marv Albert) going on after their most recent loss. Also not lost are all of the mainstream baseball prognosticators calling the Rangers not just the best team in baseball, but even the GREATEST team in baseball. It’s not something any Ranger fan will ever get enough of. Another adds- and they will only get better.

Notes from last night…Robbie Ross is a smart pitcher…Mitch Moreland finally looks like he is going to break out soon. Nice homer last night, but he hit almost everything really hard…Scott Feldman would have gotten a double play in the 3rd had it not been for the bat he had just sheared from the hands of the hitter. Self preservation set in and the grounder slipped by him. Most brutal infield single I have ever seen…wonder if others will walk Josh Hamilton to get to Adrian Beltre. He’s .500 now at making you pay for doing that….I like that on one hand Nolan and crew started the trend of having starters go deep into a game but now, like with Neffi Feliz, regulating starts a little more.  It means lesson learned with Ogando last season…I love to look at stats and now I have added one more to check, pulling for Nolan and crew to get their three million in attendance…the Rangers are now 3rd in attendance in all of baseball. A well deserved off day today as we get ready to face maybe the toughest pitching staff we have faced yet in Tampa Bay this weekend.