This was an interesting Kenny Rogers day. First off, he had another great pitching performance. He went 6.1, giving up 8 hits, and just one earned run. Struck out 4 and walked three. His usual 2005 pitching performance. But the Rogers real moment of the day was the remark in the press about how he’s not going to talk to Hicks about a contact extension, he’s “authorized Scott Boras to do that after the all star break”. Great way to get inside the team’s head there, Kenny. He also said there will be no “hometown discount again”. To my knowledge, he never got one. When he left the first time after 95, he was talked out of town by Boras to higher money. When he left after the 2002 season, it was because Boras convinced him there was to be better money than the Rangers were offering, which was WAY overpriced at the time. He had to sign a last minute desperation deal with the Twins. He came back here this current time on a deal that no one else was offering. I think Boras will talk him out of town again. Let’s see how much Kenny REALLY wants to stay here. But I can’t feel that the discussion about this issue will be a distraction, especially if it starts carrying over into the press. Stupid Scott Boras.
Back to this game.. Offensively, we mounted a 15 hit attack, lead by homers by Hank Blalock & Kevin Mench. Blalock was 3 for 5 with 3 RBI’s and a run scored. We also had three doubles (Soriano, Young, Mench). Every starter had a hit in the game, so it was pretty well balanced. We did strike out a bit too much (9 times, 3 by Dellucci), and walked only three times.
I missed most of the game due to baby related stuff that evening, but saw enough to see the important parts. :)
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No time to write about this game.

No time to write about this game.

A few complaints. Why take Chris Young out? As evidenced by what followed, he could have done better. And second, why do we keep putting Cordero in with huge leads? He always gives up a few runs. That’s starting to annoy me.
But the rest of the night was great. We were led by Chris Young, who seems to be the #2 of the staff. He’s got that feel about him the last several starts that he’s a big time big league pitcher. Sure, he’s young (har), and he’s got a lot to go through still, but you can’t help but feel good about the way he’s pitched lately. He pitched a 7 inning 2 hit shutout with just one walk and seven strikeouts. I would have left him in for more, but you can’t argue with how well he pitched last night. It was fabulous!
And Alfonso Soriano led the charge with two home runs, and 4 RBI’s. Soriano’s swing looked great all night – he actually had two more swings that looked like home run balls off the bat. One died on the track in center field just to the edge of Greene’s Hill. The other one REALLY looked like a HR ball, but died on the track in front of the scoreboard, and was caught by Ryan Langerhands for an out in one of the best outfielder catches I’ve seen in this ballpark. One handed over the head, crash into the scoreboard, and land face down in the dirt on the track. Was very impressive. Was also nice to see the Ranger fans giving him a hand on TV for that. Classy move.
Mike Young went 1 for 3, and is now batting .309 after being pretty slow early in the season. Teixeira is at .286, although his power numbers seem fine, and seems to be a pretty good candidate to get elected to the All Star game by his peers, as the moron fans seem to be electing Tino Martinez, who doesn’t deserve it. My gut feeling says we’re sending Mike Young & Mark Teixeira, along with Kenny Rogers & Chris Young to the All-Star game. I feel that we’re not sending Blalock this year – have no hard facts on that, just a feeling.
It’s nice to finally beat the Braves. We’re now 1-6 lifetime against them.
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The losing streak comes to an end with a 6-2 win on Sunday afternoon over the Marlins. After the way the road trip went, I personally find it hard to get excited after a win there, but a win is a win I suppose. We’re still only 2.5 games out of first, and seem to have enough to stay in contention (although likely not get anywhere in the playoffs should we get there).
RicRod was called up formally for Sunday’s game and went 5 innings, giving up just two runs on 7 hits and three walks with 7 strikeouts. That’s a terrible WHIP, but since only two crossed the plate, it’s not all bad. :) Another 2005 newcomer John Wasdin was perfect in his four innings of relief, getting the odd save. We had surprising pitching from a surprising source. Like most Ranger fans, I felt good about RicRod last year, then felt awful when he got wailed on with a batted ball, and it ended his season. I really hope he can rediscover that form of mid last year, as it would be a big help to us in the back half of the season. Can’t say I’m thrilled about Wasdin, even given what he did last night. I don’t see him as a permanent piece of the puzzle at all.
We go home now to play the Braves. Hopefully being at home helps out, as we could use several wins, and I’m not confident about getting ’em against the Braves and the surprisingly good Nationals this coming weekend.
(For those of you who don’t get the “Topes Win” reference, it’s a Simpsons gag.)
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Looks like the Philly stink carried into this game, too. We lost when our bullpen couldn’t hold the lead. Kenny Rogers, our best pitcher this season by far had his worst outing of the year, giving up 5 runs in his 5.2IP. Rather un Kenny like, for sure. Juan Dominguez pitched in this game (his first appearance of 2005, I believe), and was OK. Not terrible, but he did give up a run.
Kevin Mench did stake us to a 4 run lead on an absolute no doubter grand slam in the second inning. But that was about it, really. We didn’t garner any sustainable offense, if my memory serves (I’m writing this two days after teh game).
The most amusing moment in the game came from Kenny Rogers. He tripled into the right field bermuda triangle, and after he called time out, immediately bent over with some heavy breathing – they showed video of the bullpen guys laughing at Kenny for his triple. Kenny also had an RBI in the game earlier, so he more than held his own offensively. :)
The rest of the game was just annoying. :)
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After the debacle in Philadelphia (which my brother properly taunted me over), I figured we’d be OK. Nope. We went into Florida and continued to stink up the joint – dare I say, like rotten fish? Get it? Marlins? Fish? Har-har. :) The stink brigade was led by Doug Brocail, who gave up FIVE earned runs in his total of .1IP. Brian Shouse wasn’t far behind, giving up two runs in his 1.3 IP. And bringing up the rear in this stink brigade is good ol’ Chan Ho. He gave up 5ER in his 4.2 IP. Not horrible, but let’s face it. It’s Chan Ho. :)
The capper was Mike Lowell’s grand slam. Lowell was batting about .025 this season it seemed, but of course came up big against us.
Did I mention the total lack of deodorant for out pitchers tonight? Man, they STUNK! The roster overhaul of this past week continued before Friday night’s game, although the way I feel at the moment, it won’t make much difference. John Wasdin? Somehow I don’t think he’s the answer.
But hey, the Yankees are under .500 and in fourth place – so that’ll brighten up my day.
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