I was at this game with my wife, and I have to say – a damned exciting game. The entire thing was under a constant threat of rain, and in the bottom of the 8th, it started. We disappeared into a sheltered area, and watched the bottom of the 9th. As soon as we got in our car, it down poured something fierce.
The game itself was awesome – a spectacular comeback. I do have to say I’m a bit surprised that the Ranger fans booed Will Clark. Sure, he’s not Rafael Palmeiro, but he did a hell of a lot in the five years while he was here. I was disappointed in my fellow Ranger fans for that. I’ll boo Canseco alright, but I felt that the Thrill deserved better than that.
Rick Helling had probably his worst outing of the year, going 6 innings, giving up 7 earned runs (raising his season ERA to 3.14, still awesome by today’s standards). However, our bullpen seems to be coming around, as they pitched the final three innings giving up only a single hit, and one run (Cordero, Venafro, & Wetteland). We seem to finally be coming together after a disgusting April. And, we’re doing it without Rusty Greer & Gabe Kapler (who wasn’t exactly burning things up when he went on the DL). I have to imagine that things will get even better when we’re all back together and healthy again.
Mike Lamb was awesome, going 3 for 4, with three doubles. Royce Clayton was 2 for 3, and everyone except Jason McDonald had at least one hit (Sc Green was a defensive replacement late, and didn’t bat), but McDonald did lay down a nice bunt – was an awesome team game, and a great comeback, after being down 7-2 as late as the 6th inning. However, the name of the day was Frank Catalanotto, who went 3 for 5, and set a few new Ranger records, too. He had hits in 10 consecutive plate appearances, setting a new record, as well as getting on base for 12 straight times, also setting a new Ranger record!