Well, this game was mass suckage. About the only interesting thing about this one is that Mark Teixeira hit a foul ball into a trash can in the picnic area at Tropicana Field.
Game notes are here.

Fairly decent pitching (I say fairly because Benoit did give up 3 in 5 innings) led to a 7-3 win over the Devil Rays. This game was interesting in that four of our batters got hit – which seems like a lot. Our bullpen pitched 4 innings of scoreless relief, we had some nice defense, turning three double plays, some stolen bases, some hitting – pretty much a nice balanced game.
Juan Gonzalez had to leave the game, and was replaced by newcomer Shane Spencer. He had an o-fer, and it really seemed odd seeing him in a Ranger uniform, considering what he did to us back when we were in the playoffs against the Yankees.
Game notes are here.

There’s not a whole lot to say about this one. It was a wasted effort by Ismael Valdes, as we got totally shut out, losing 2-0. A shame, as Valdes pitched well. Game notes are here.

We start off the “second half” with a nice win that actually was more dominating than the 12-6 score would indicate. John Thomson was brilliant through seven innings. He scattered hits, and didn’t give up much until the 8th inning when his total went to 3 runs over 7.2 innings. Still most definitely a “quality start”. As many a Ranger fan has pointed out, his trade value only increases with these performances the last few weeks. I wonder who will want to trade for him. Our old “buddy” Jay Powell gave up three runs in the ninth to allow the DRays to get to 6 runs – far more then they should have gotten. We also came this close to breaking that “no pitcher has gotten 10 strikeouts for the Rangers” thing too, as Thomson had 9.
Offensively, we got some surprises. We got a 4-6 night out of Doug Glanville – we got a home run from Donnie Sadler and one from Marcus Thames, making his Ranger debut. There was also a big 3 run blast by Juan Gonzalez to shut up a guy who was REALLY riding Juan all game, and what’s funny about that is the guy started doing the “We’re not worthy” thing to Juan when he hit the home run. It was quite funny, and both Josh & Tom got a charge out of it.
A nice way to start the second half – plus the entire rest of our division lost, so we picked up ground on everyone! (Woo-hoo, now only 19 out)
Game notes are here.

What a game! After all the hype about “This time it counts” (my wife and I were almost to the point of making a drinking game out of the advertisements for that), and all the shtick about not playing all the players, what do we get? The absolute opposite of last year’s All-Star Game. We got a wonderful game! Forget that Hank Blalock was the hero – and forget any specific single thing – it was just a great game to watch!
We got a bit of everything. Throughout the first four innings or so, we got great pitching on both sides. Loiaza & Schmidt were great in their starting roles, and the pitchers that followed also did great. Then the AL gave up 5 runs in the 5th inning to put the NL up 5-1. We picked up two more runs when Garret Anderson homered to score Arod to make it 5-3. However, Andruw Jones homered to make it 6-3, and you kind of got the feeling that it was over – especially when Dusty Baker changed every position on the field all at once – made for an interesting moment scoring the game at home. :)
Anyway, Jason Giambi came in in the 7th and just absolutely tatooed a home run into right field, to bring us back to within two. However, that this point, the NL was into their trio of closers (Wagner, Gagne, Smoltz), so I figured that was about it. However, the AL had some other ideas. IN the bottom of the 8th, Vernon Wells doubled in Melvin Mora (who was pinch running for MVP Garret Anderson, who had just doubled), and then Hank Blalock came in against Eric Gagne, who had not blown a save all season for the Dodgers. He did now – Blalock smacked a rather no doubter home run into right to give the AL the lead, and the win. I actually stood up in the living room with my hands in the air going “Yes!”. I even teared up a bit at this moment. At that moment, I was ready to say Blalock should get MVP. Anderson deserved it, but the Ranger fan in me wanted it to go to Blalock. Watching Arod in the shots shown of him after Blalock’s home run, it seemed that Arod was more excited than Hank was! The Rangers open on the road after the All-Star break, but I have a ticket to the next home game they play after the All-Star Break. I bet Hank Blalock gets a massive ovation when he’s announced and comes to bat! :)
Overall, a wonderful game. We got great pitching early – we got a lot of home runs, and some nice defense in places, too. One of the better All Star games (as baseball games go, and not the ceremonies around it) in recent memory – a pleasure to watch.
Also, what was with that horrid person singing the national anthem? She wore a shirt that looked three sizes too small for her, and it really made her look awful. Thank god for TiVo, so I could skip it.
Hank Blalock made several web headlines right after the game was over – in most cases overshadowing game MVP Garret Anderson. Here are some screen captures I took:

• ESPN
• MLB
• Yahoo
• CBS Sportsline
• SI.com
• Fox Sports
• USA Today

We lost 8-2. Pitching sucked. Blew too many offensive chances. What more do I need to say? Yeah, I know it’s the same commentary as yesterday’s game. :) Game notes are here.

We lost 8-2. Pitching sucked. Blew too many offensive chances. What more do I need to say? Game notes are here.

Busy day to be a Ranger fan. We sign first round pick John Danks. We then turn around and trade closer Ugueth Urbina to the Marlins for three very good prospects. Then we get blown out. :)
Actually, the game wasn’t as bad as the score seems. Yes, 13-3 is an ugly score, but it was only 4-3 after 7 innings. Giving up an 8 spot in the 8th inning will never be good. RA Dickey looked serviceable in starting, and Ron Mahay & Jay Powell didn’t give up a thing in their innings. Aaron Fultz (just activated) & Victor Santos – well, that’s a different story. In fact, it could have been a lot worse, as the Royals left the bases loaded in the 8th inning. I was starting to think we’d give up 10 runs in the inning!
Anyway, I think we got good value for Urbina. Some are saying that we didn’t get enough pitching, but I say we got three great players, and you can never go wrong with getting many great players. If you find yourself with a logjam, you can always trade them, too.
Game notes are here and here.

There’s something we don’t normally get – a sweep. And it was against a team that’s generally considered to be pretty good (just about two weeks ago they were in first place). We’ve been playing well the last few weeks – very nice to see.
Normally, you say you win games with pitching and defense. Well, tonight it wasn’t exactly defense, as we made a couple of errors (one by Arod), but we did with pitching and offense. Our offense was home run driven – 8 of the nine runs scored by the long ball. Two home runs by Juan, and one each by Mike Young and Mark Teixeira.
Joaquin Benoit looked sharp again. Don’t want to get too excited, because when I do that, someone starts pitching bad – but it was nice to see another good outing from him.
It was also really great to see Josh Lewin rendered totally speechless in the pre-game show when they had actor Burton Gilliam show up. Burton was in the movie Blazing Saddles, and that’s Josh’s all time favorite movie. Josh didn’t know he was coming, and was rendered mute on two occasions – was a great moment.
I did miss a few minutes of the game here and there, as I had a power blackout, as well as some rain fade on my DirecTV system due to the heavy storms in Garland.
Game notes are here.

A wonderfully pitched ballgame. From both sides. It was nice to see old friend Kenny Rogers back here again, and not surprisingly, he picked the blue uniform top for the Twins – something he did all the time in Texas. I still wish he was here, and I bet he does too, despite the public claims to the contrary. That’s twice now Scott Boras screwed him up in his dealings with the Rangers.
Anyway, the game was rare, a low scoring Rangers win. For the longest time it was just 1-0, off Mark Teixeira’s solo HR in the second inning. Benot kept us in the lead until Torii Hunter jacked a mammoth home run to left, going over the seats in left field. That was it for the Twins, though – as our pen (Shouse, Cordero, Urbina) didn’t give up any more runs on the way to Urbina’s 200th career save.
Laynce Nix was called up to replace Kevin Mench on the roster, but didn’t play.
I also got a big laugh out of the Rangers Captain being on TV in the “fake portion” of the hot dog eating contest. :)
Game notes are here.