Due to work concerns, I was unable to listen to any of this game until about the middle of the seventh inning, when almost all the scoring was done. At that point, the game was tied 4-4, and the only real excitement I got to hear was Andruw Jones’ home run to win the game in the ninth. This is the last time we’ll see the Angels until May 16th (on a Saturday afternoon Fox game of the week). We faced them just two times this spring, and won twice (13-7 on Sunday, 5-4 today).
The Rangers only threw out three pitchers today. None of them are guys making the club. Doug Mathis started. Doug appeared in eight games for the Rangers in 2008, posting a 6.65 ERA. Which is pretty close to what his spring ERA is in 2009 (6.75). In this game he went just four innings, giving up just three hits. However, he accompanied those hits with three walks for a total of three earned runs. Two of those runs came on a home run ball to Matthew Brown. Tommy Hunter followed with a scoreless inning (Tommy was in 3 games in 2008, for a 16.36 ERA). The final Rangers pitcher was Derek Holland, who had the weird line of 4IP, 3H, 1ER, a blown save, and the win.
That win came on the aforementioned home run by Andruw Jones in the ninth to take the decisive lead. Jones had come in for Josh Hamilton in his slot. Josh himself had a solo home run earlier in the game. Jones also had a double in the slot as well, so this hole had some power on April 1st. You know the drill, four doubles, two home runs, six singles, Rangers scored, we won. Old hat, eh? hahahaha
Anyway, it’s nice to see the page flip to April. Next Monday is Opening Day. I’ll be there, as will most others living in this area that read this site, I’d wager. Bunch of roster moves are imminent.