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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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Ugh. Will write more later.
Update: No I won’t. Game made me too mad.
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I’ve said this before, and I’ll probably say it again. Whenever you pitch against a guy who is making his major league first start, you either score 50 runs in the first inning, or what happened last night happens – you can’t do anything against them. It’s the nature of the beast with an unknown quantity like that.
We got shut out by Robinson Tejeda (not Tejada, guys!) last night. He went 5 innings of two hit shutout ball. In fact, the Phillies pen (former Ranger Aaron Fultz, Ryan Madson, Billy Wagner) went 4 more innings of shutout ball. Between the four Phillies pitchers, we managed just 5 hits the entire night, with Rod Barajas getting two (the others by Teixeira, Blalock, Hidalgo). That’s pretty much the story of the game. The Phillies pitchers closed us down.
On the flip side, our pitching was pretty decent, too. Starter Chris Young more and more looks like a really good rotation guy every time out this season. He went 5.1, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits (6K, 1BB). Our pen (Tejera, Regilio, Shouse) didn’t give up any runs in their time on the hill.
The highlight of the game for me was the opening of the 6th inning when they showed the Philly Phanatic and Rangers Captain dueling it out with lightsabers, in Jedi gowns. That was most amusing. Stupid me didn’t save the game on the TiVo, I deleted it before I got a chance to take a picture of that. Anyone get one?
But the big talk of the day had to have been the DFA’ing of Ryan Drese. I don’t think anyone following the team would have predicted THAT. A guy who was a 14 game winner just last year, and was this season’s opening day starter gets DFA’ed. I’m really surprised they didn’t carry on with him longer than that, especially since he has a guaranteed contract through next year (and an option for 07). Oh well, I seriously doubt we’ll be able to hang on to him and get him to the minors through waivers. It’s just a surprise to me. Hmm, I know we’re bringing up RicRod from AAA to take his place on Sunday, but an opening in the rotation, eh? Perhaps there’s more to those Roger Clemens rumours.. Nah, just joking. :)
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This was an odd game for me. My adopted team (Rangers) vs my hometown team (Phillies). I’d always wanted this to happen. Finally did (outside of spring training in FL). So it was with much anticipation I drove to the Cheesesteak place not too far from my house to pick up a couple for my wife and I to eat during the game. I pulled up, and the place was gone. Out of business. That was an omen for the Rangers for the night, and sort of put me in a down mood, as I was really in the mood for that. I didn’t really know what to do with my baseball loyalties, as I didn’t really care who won the game.
When I got home, I was about an hour behind the live game on my TiVo, and my brother called me. Wanted to know if I was watching (dumb question). I said yeah, but I’m an hour behind, and while he didn’t tell me the score, he told me enough that the Rangers got torched. The way he told it, it seemed like we gave up 8 runs in the third inning. We did give up a bunch, but it wasn’t as all horriffic as my brother made it sound. Note to self. Don’t answer phone calls when watching games behind on the TiVo.
Ryan Drese, however, looked bad. It was his shortest outing this year, only 2.2IP. He gave up 5 runs on 8 hits. The other three were given up by Ron Mahay in his .1 IP. A scary thing is how well Benoit has been pitching out of the pen. I read where they’re thinking of trying him in the starting rotation again. Have we not learned our lesson with him? He’ll go there and stink up the joint. Leave him in relief where he’s finally doing good.
Offensively we were powered primarily by the longball again. In Philadelphia, that’s an easy thing to do in the new park. We had two run home runs by Hank Blalock and Rod Barajas for a four spot in the fourth. We tacked on another one in the 8th on a Mike Young solo home run. That gives Young a hitting streak of 16 games, and I believe 10 or 11 games where he’s also scored a run in a row. Soriano who was hurt somewhat came in and pinch hit, and extended his own hitting streak to 12 games.
When the Phanatic was in Philadelphia recently, Rangers Captain had let out that he was going to Philly. If he was there, he wasn’t on the TV coverage last night.
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