This was shaping up to be a nice pitcher’s duel. Through the first three innings, not much happened. The score was 0-0 at that point. Adam Eaton was going against Scott Baker of the Twins.
Both had things pretty much in check, although Eaton was helped out a bunch in the bottom of the third after he walked two consecutive batters, and each of them was thrown out by Rod Barajas when they attempted to steal second.
However, in the fourth, I had visions of that inning against the Orioles a decade ago when we got 16 runs in one inning (a club record still). We unloaded on the Twins for 8 runs in the top of the fourth. It was a massacre. Carlos Lee started things off with a double. Blalock singled, scoring Lee. Matt Stairs reached on a throwing error, allowing Blalock to score and Kinsler to move up. Rod Barajas got plunked, then Wilkerson (hitting 9th!) singled, scoring Ian Kinsler.
Then Gary Matthews stepped up, and on a 3-2 count, absolutely destroyed a ball into the upper deck for a grand slam, his career second. This home run was an absolute no doubter off the bat – the kind that just looks like it would never come down. I’ve never actually been to the Metrodome, but I’ve seen a bunch of games on TV there, and I can’t recall ever seeing a home run hit that far up there. Quite impressive – and to follow it up, Mike Young hit a solo home run right after that to finish off the scoring. Mark Teixeira followed up with an RBI single in the 9th to add another one, but this game was all over when Matthews hit his slam.
Following that, the Twins pen didn’t do too bad at all. In relief of Baker, the four Twins pitchers combined for 5.2 IP, allowing just two hits and one run – all of that on the fourth reliever (Juan Rincon).
Adam Eaton did a bit better than most people were expecting. His stamina still needs a little work, but he went 6 innings – helped out by the Barajas caught stealings I mentioned before. He gave up just four hits, although he did walk four, which didn’t help, but none of them scored. CJ Wilson & Scott Feldman pitched 3 innings of scoreless relief, for the first shutout thrown by the Rangers in a bit.
I’m getting a little worried about all these lopsided wins. 15-2 one way, 15-2 the other way, and then 9-0. I’d prefer a little more consistancy in our offense and pitching. One way or the other, please. Preferably wins.
I agree with the lop sided wins aspect. Could it be that finally we might have some pitching stability. At least Buck was laughing in today’s win.