As per my policy, I do not write about losses to the Yankees.
Next game, please.

As per my policy, I do not write about losses to the Yankees.
Next game, please.

Thanks to everyone who sent in a message of condolence for the passing of my stepfather. Was kind of you. Usually when I have a break like that, I have some sort of large update for all the games I missed. This is said post. I decided to tackle this when my little girl was having some issues sleeping tonight, and I got woken up enough that I couldn’t go back to sleep. Decided to write some baseball during 5:00AM dead time. :) In all, I missed 10 games since my last regular update. I probably could have gotten started with the Blue Jays series over the weekend – in fact, I had a ticket to the bobblehead game on Friday, but I was so tired from the recent trip, that I did not feel like driving the 70 miles round trip to the ballpark from my house. I missed getting the bobblehead, though. :)
G22: Rangers beat Blue Jays, 5-3 (Apr 27)
This was an uncomplicated win. The Rangers hit three home runs in the third inning (Wilkerson, Texeira, & Sosa), which accounted for all five of their runs. Mark Teixeira’s was his FIRST of the season, and it came in the 22nd game. That’s not good. We all panicked when he only had 9HR at the All Star break last year. At this rate, he’ll get half of that! :( Robinson Tejeda wasn’t bad, but not great. He gave up 3ER in 5.1IP. He struck out 7 in that time, which is good. Tejeda seems to be a fairly serviceable player for us this year. Mike Young had a bad day on the bases, he was picked off, and was also caught stealing. [ Game Recap on MLB.com ]
G23: Rangers beat Blue Jays, 9-8 (Apr 28)
In a game that saw twelve different pitchers used (5 for Tex, 7 for Tor), the Rangers outlasted the Blue Jays, and finally won an extra inning game – something we never seem to be able to do. Each team had 12 hits, and the Rangers added on a special bonus, two errors. Gerald Laird went 3-5, raising (snicker) his average to .177. He did lead the team with three RBI, though, and had a home run. Millwood wasn’t great, giving up 5 runs in 5.2IP. Willie Eyre also gave up 2ER in 1.2IP. Otsuka had a blown save – it wasn’t great in the pitching department. Mark Teixeira also had another home run; that’s two in two days – plus he had two doubles. Hopefully that’s a good sign. [ Game Recap on MLB.com ]
G24: Rangers lose to Blue Jays, 7-3 (Apr 29)
Tomo Ohka. We lost to Tomo Ohka. That alone should be enough for this recap. McCarthy continued to stink up the joint, giving up 5ER in 3IP, with four walks sprinkled on top for extra flavor. Willie Eyre bounced back from his last outing to go three innings of scoreless relief. Ian Kinsler added his 9th home run. Somehow I doubt he’ll hit his current pace of 54HR, but that would be nice to see. ;) Mike Young is still around the Mendoza line, which is scary as we’ve had about a full month of play now. I just can’t get by.. “We lost to Tomo Ohka”. That’s like saying we lost to Mark Clark. [ Game Recap on MLB.com ]
G25: Rangers lose to Blue Jays, 6-1 (Apr 30)
Vicente Padilla continues to pitch like a guy who has his contract, not one who is pitching for one. He’s now 0-4, with a 5.66 ERA. This is the Padilla the Phillies were eager to get rid of, I’m sure. Roy Halladay on the other hand, pitched like someone who has that kind of reputation should. Complete game win; 1ER on 5 hits with no walks, and 8 strikeouts. That’s pitching. Sammy Sosa was the only player who had any kind of offense here, going 2-4 with a double and an RBI. Halladay was this game. [ Game Recap on MLB.com ]
G26: Rangers lose to Yankees, 10-1 (May 1)
As per my own self induced policy I started a couple of years ago, I do not write about losses to the Yankees. [ Game Recap on MLB.com ]
Rain out (May 2)
This game was a rain out – I was traveling home from the funeral services back home, and didn’t think it was raining that hard. [ Game Recap on MLB.com ]
G27: Rangers lose, 4-3 (May 3 DH Game 1)
As per my own self induced policy I started a couple of years ago, I do not write about losses to the Yankees. [ Game Recap on MLB.com ]
G28: Rangers lose, 5-2 (May 3 DH Game 2)
As per my own self induced policy I started a couple of years ago, I do not write about losses to the Yankees. I did have a great time at a Black Sabbath Heaven & Hell concert this night, though. [ Game Recap on MLB.com ]
G29: Rangers beat Blue Jays, 7-1 May 4)
This is more like it. That’s the Tomo Ohka we know, the one that gives up a boatload of runs and hits, not the one who gave me nightmares a few nights ago in Toronto. Brandon McCarthy stemmed the tide a bit, and got a nice win, going 6 innings, giving up just one run on 2 hits. He still had too many walks, but it didn’t seem to hurt him here. I also got a kick out of Sal Fasano jacking the home run that was Toronto’s only run. Philly fans have a great imagination when it comes to “fan groups” at their home games (The Padilla Flotilla comes to mind), but the one they had for Fasano made me laugh (Sal’s Pals, who dressed up in the huge mustaches that Fasano has). Don’t know why, I always liked this guy. Anyway, we had two home runs from Hank Blalock and Kenny Lofton. Tex also had a double, and the rest of our hits were all singles. Blalock had the best night, going 3-4 with 3RBI, and 2 runs scored himself. This was the game I had a ticket for, but was just so tired after the trip, and the Black Sabbath concert the night before that I just couldn’t go. If anyone has an extra bobblehead that they gave away from this game, please email me. Thanks. [ Game Recap on MLB.com ]
G30: Rangers beat Blue Jays, 11-4 (May 5)
This was a match up of 0-4 (Padilla) vs 4-0 (Halladay). On paper, we lost this one immediately. But Padilla pitched very well (7IP, 1ER, 6H, 3K, 1BB), and Halladay did NOT (5.1IP, 9ER, 12H, 2BB, 3K). It was quite the reversal of what I think just about everyone thought would happen. We had 15 hits in all, and it was nicely distributed. Of our starters, only Sosa was hitless. In all, we had four doubles (Young, Wilkerson, Kata, & Tex). Mike Young also had a home run in this game, and we had ten other singles. The big one was the third inning when we had something like 5 or 6 consecutive hits against Halladay – it was quite surprising to see him like that. Mike Young went 3-5, and it only raised his average to .225. He needs about two straight weeks of 3-5 games to get back to where he needs to be. Matt Kata went 3-3 as well. [ Game Recap on MLB.com ]
G31: Rangers beat Blue Jays, 3-2 (May 6)
Wow. The first usage of the sweep graphic this season! I missed most of this game due to church related events, but I did see enough. All three of our runs were on solo home runs. The first one was by Kenny Lofton in the fifth, the second was by Mark Teixeira in the sixth, and the game winner was by Michael Young in the bottom of the eighth. That was all we needed. Victor Diaz (who was batting cleanup – WTF) also had a double, but outside of the home runs, no other offense mattered, really. Kameron Loe pitched well enough for the win, but didn’t get it, as Benoit blew the save. Loe went 6.2IP, and gave up just the one run and had six strikeouts. That’s the guy who was so great in spring training, but seemed to lose it completely like most of the rest of the team once we came out of the gate. Still, the win is a win, and a sweep at home is very nice. [ Game Recap on MLB.com ]
We’re now 13-18, and still in last place, but it doesn’t feel that awful. The Angels are in first place at 17-15, which is not that big a deal. When first place is only two games over .500 and you’re just 3.5 games back, “last place” doesn’t seem so bad. Still, we have a lot of work to do, but I don’t feel as panicky as I did a week ago. Sweeps usually have something to do with that. :)
Hopefully I can now stay current with games going forward. I don’t want to have to take another week and a half break for the same reason I took this one.

Sigh. It’s a bit early in the season to be disenfranchised, and I really am not, but the road losses are getting rather annoying. We’re something 2-150 on the road this season so far. This franchise seems rather lethargic.
Everyone raise their hand when they thought that Sammy Sosa would be our most consistent offensive performer (in a power department) come April 25th. Sosa was the only real good thing to write about for Thursday’s game. He got his historic 44th different ballpark home run with two of them at Jacobs Field. I think I heard on the radio the only other current ballparks he hasn’t hit home runs in are RFK Stadium & New Busch. Unless it ends up being Rangers/Nats in the world series this year, he’s not getting one at RFK. :) Sosa also needs four more multi home run games to pass Babe Ruth for that record. Course, Barry Bonds is on that list too, one above Sosa at the moment.
We head to Toronto, where we’ll probably win one. Maybe. Sigh. At least it was nice seeing this image on ESPN’s site. That was fun. :)

You know there were a lot of great little moments in this game to talk about (Padilla’s first, Young’s RBI late, etc). There actually was a lot positive that happened. But the only thing I can think of about this game to say is…

SSSssssssshit!

I was driving around listening to the pre-game in my truck, figuring that either the game would be cancelled before it started, or it would be one of those ones they play in the rain, as it wasn’t raining very hard at the time.
It was officially cancelled right before first pitch time. Eric Nadel said that it would be made up as a doubleheader some time in July, which is the next time the Mariners are back here. That will likely be a day I go to, as I always go to doubleheaders. Gotta love the free extra game. They haven’t announced which date yet.
We’re off to Cleveland. I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot about Sosa again, as it’s the only active MLB park he hasn’t hit a home run in. I’m sure we’ll also hear about all the games postponed already up there due to snow and other bad weather.

Odd quotes in the press by Kevin Millwood saying it was his best pitched game of the season. He may have felt like that, but the numbers don’t lie. 6 innings pitched, 5 earned runs, 2 walks. Did get five strikeouts, as well as ten hits. That doesn’t seem like his best game of the year to me. Although, it didn’t seem as bad as the line went. It felt like he was pitching better, but you can’t argue with the results.
Mahay, Feldman, & CJ Wilson did pitch well out of the pen. Not sure which of these guys was the closer today, as Gagne was put back on the DL (shocker), and Wash said in the pre-game that Aki was unavailable this game. Our three relievers went three innings, giving up just two hits and no walks combined. Not many strikeouts, but an out is an out.
Cha Seung Baek, who seems to be a second coming of Bartolo Colon vs the Rangers, was actually not as a good against us as he normally was. Baek went 4.1, giving up 4ER on 10H and 2BB. However, their pen was better than ours was. Using just two guys (Morrow & Putz), the M’s pen gave up just one hit and two walks with no runs over 4.2 innings (longer than Baek went by a little). Morrow looked particularly impressive. We were probably lucky we got the four runs we did.
Seattle’s offense was led by Ichiro who just needed a home run for the cycle. He was what he was supposed to be. I wonder where he’ll be after this year; I can’t imagine him sticking with Seattle. Unfortunately, he’ll probably end up a Yankee playing with Matsui when Abreu’s contract isn’t picked up.
Our offense was topped off by a home run by Hank Blalock into the wedgie in right, driving in two. We also had a triple by Calananotto, a double by Cruz, and six other scattered singles. However, the only person with more than one hit was Sammy Sosa. His .500 performance for this game now RAISES his batting average over the Mendoza line to .206. Blech. Actually, our hits were quite evenly spread out – everyone had one except Gerald Laird, whose season batting average has gone under .100 (.098). Is there a “Mendoza line” nickname for .100 batting averages? Wash has said many times that “whatever you hit is a bonus”. I’m wondering if that’s not the way to take it. Tell him “Dude, you need to get some hits”.
Disheartening loss, as it’s one we should have won. :(

I tuned in Sunday afternoon knowing I wouldn’t be able to watch this whole game. I had to leave for a Sunday evening event at my church at about 4:30, so I figured, OK, I’ll get 7 innings in or so. That’s about what I got. When I left, the game was in in the bottom of the seventh, and when I got to where I was going, it was just starting the bottom of the 8th. We were losing 3-1. It was a typical 2007 Rangers game so far; decent pitching, no hitting to speak of. It’s quite odd writing that. One of the guys who has regularly produced is Kenny Lofton, but the guys behind him (Cat, Young, Tex) aren’t doing much of anything at all, and Ian Kinsler is our only serious offensive threat.
Anyway, Oakland starter Chad Gaudin pitched well. He went six, giving up just one run (an RBI single to Kinsler in the second after a triple by Blalock) on four hits. He looked pretty decent. Noticed someone picked him up after the game in one of the fantasy leagues I am commissioner for through this site. That usually happens after some opponent pitches really well against us. :)
On the flip side, we got the good Robinson Tejeda. Outside of one mistake pitch to Shannon Stewart that was bopped over the fence, Tejeda was pretty good himself. Including the home run, his line was 6.1IP, 3ER, NO walks, and six strikeouts on nine hits. Now it’s not the kind of thing we saw the other day from Cole Hamels for the Phillies great, but this was a decent outing. It was a great outing if you took away the home run, so I’m satisfied with that. He was relieved by Willie Eyre, making his Rangers 07 debut, and Eyre was pretty good as well. Eyre finished the seventh, and pitched the 8th, allowing no runs and just one hit. He walked one, but it didn’t hurt him.
Then the offense clicked in the bottom of the eighth. Lofton led off with a single, and Catalanotto wasn’t the 2007 easy out, and he had a hustling double to right field. OK, now we’re good. Second and third, nobody out. Feeling good. Michael Young, who normally would drive those guys in struck out. Mark Texiera worked a walk, OK. Bases loaded, one out. Not feeling AS good, but still feeling good. That brings up Sammy Sosa, who I’m sure everyone would have loved to have earned his nickname, “Slammin”. He walked as well. OK, not a home run, but still gets a run in. That’s good. That brought in Oakland’s closer, Houston Street, who gave up an 0-2 single to Blalock, driving in Hairston (who pinch ran for Catalanotto) & Texiera, giving us the lead, and the eventual win. There was no more scoring, but that’s the kind of inning we haven’t had all season long, and the kind we need a lot more of going forward.
The ninth had some drama as Eric Gagne finally got to take the mound in Arlington in a save situation. He got Jason Kendall to ground out, but then Gagne hurt himself. He had to come out in the middle of the at bat to Mark Ellis; he was replaced by Akinori Otsuka, who did get the save. Can’t say I’m surprised by the Gagne thing – he still seems way to fragile to have offered 6 million guaranteed to.
Still, a win is a win, and we took the series from division rival Oakland. We now face a short two game series at home against Seattle against Cha Sueng Beck, who probably will be a hard game, and Jarrod Washburn, who we don’t seem to have a problem knocking around in Arlington. Good thing we’re missing Felix Hernandez. :)
We go into the series 8-10, one game behind Oakland and the Angels who are tied for first. Given how lethargic and crappy we’ve been playing overall, this could be a heck of a lot worse.

Yeah, I know. 7-0 isn’t a “close game” score. But for the longest time, this game was 1-0, and then 2-0 through 7 and a half innings. It wasn’t till we put up a five spot in the bottom of the 8th that it became the score it was. This really had the feeling of a 1-0 or 2-0 score, which it was for the longest time.
Well, after I read the good news earlier in the day that Bruce Chen had been DFA’ed, I was excited about Kam Loe’s start, as were most Ranger fans, I would imagine. I bet the guys up in the first row around Section 320 were excited to hang their Kam’s Snake pit sign again. :) Kameron went 5.1 innings, giving up 3 hits and no runs while walking one, and striking out 5. He left in a bit of a jam, CJ Wilson walked Nick Swisher to load the bases, and it had the makings of an ugly inning. However, Wilson showed some really great pitches to Oakland, and struck out both Eric Chavez & Milton Bradley. After Bradley was struck out, there were several guys, including Kam in the dugout who had some really good reactions to the end of that inning. That was probably the best moment of the game from a defensive side for the night.
In fact, our pitching looked absolutely like the staff it was the night before. The three hits that Loe gave up were it. Wilson and the remainder of the bullpen (Benoit, Otsuka, Gagne) gave up no hits at all. In fact, between the four relievers, they gave up just 3 walks in all. That’s it.
Offensively, it was nice to see Mark Teixeira get a double, but it didn’t amount to anything. He did, however get an RBI single in the fourth. But he needs A LOT more than that. No home runs and just 3 RBI’s for the season is starting to get a little troubling. I think we’re past the cheery optimism that Josh Lewin is still showing. I’m a tad concerned. I’m nowhere near panic mind you, but I think sticking one’s head in the sand and saying “it will get better” isn’t enough anymore. It’s been something like 75 at bats. That should be enough by now. It’s making his 9 home runs by the All Star break look like an offensive explosion.
Beyond Tex, we had a few hits scattered here and there, but the next offense was in the bottom of the seventh on a sac fly by Nelson Cruz. But through 7.5, it really felt like a really good old school NL close game. Then we blew it open in the bottom of the eighth, taking away Eric Gagne’s save opportunity. That was done when Matt Kata hit a three run home run to left, pretty much putting the game out of reach.
Gagne came in anyway, threw a scoreless inning, and sealed the win. Was nice to see that kind of game anyway, but especially after the fiasco that was Friday night’s game. Great win.
A few other random thoughts from the game:

• Nelson Cruz looked like he avoided the tag to me
• I’m not sure whether to laugh or be mad by that shot of Eric Gagne faking being asleep in the pen waiting to come into the game.
• Why didn’t Kinsler get an error in the 9th on his relay throw that got away? I know the runner didn’t advance, but he would have been out otherwise.
• That shot of Eric Chavez giving Ron Washington a replacement gold glove for the one that got washed away in Hurricane Katrina was a seriously classy move. I loved hearing that story, and even stopped the pre-game stuff to show my wife who was doing something else at the time. The Rangers site has a story about that here.

I’m writing this before the game is even over. Right now it’s in the top of the 7th, and we’re losing 10-3. Bleargh! I’m betting we’re not coming back on this one. :)
I bet the “Fire John Daniels” folks are gonna have a field day with this.
Edit: Got worse. They gave up a six spot in the 8th as well.
Edit 2: 16-4. That’s just horrendous. Not a good way to start the homestand.
Edit 3: I forgot to mention I had tickets to this game. I didn’t go. Didn’t miss anything. Saved myself a lot of money missing this mess.