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Our last game of the year against Seattle ended in a win – our 70th of the year. Unfortunately, it happened to come at Game 153 of the season, which means we’ve lost 83! Eek! It was pretty funny that the pregame show showed Lou Piniella’s blowup two or three times, and the game intro did as well. Still got a lot of mileage out of that. :)
While it was nice that we busted out the big bats in support of Ben Kozlowski – who pitched pretty decently considering the situation. (Raffy Grand Slam, and Arod 3 run home run), we let it get away again after Kozlowski got out of the inning. Jamey Newberg reported today that Pudge was looking sloppy, and I have to agree. If that’s the kind of catching we’ll get if we give him a new contract, then hey, let’s jack up Todd Greene to #1, and have Haselman as his backup. We busted out for 5 runs in the top of 10th, in our fourth straight extra inning game against the Mariners. Nice to see that.
I was astonished to see the total number of walks by both teams in these four games – SIXTY EIGHT!
I was a bit concerned about the goings on in Kansas City, though. Those two mental zeroes that attacked the Royals’ coach should be prosecuted fairly heavily. Also, did you get a look at these idiots? Neither of them looked like they had enough brain cells to even comprehend baseball. Do a Google Image search for ‘William Ligue Gamboa’ – you’ll see what I’m talking about.
Additional game commentary is available here.

This is the time of year that folks who root for bad baseball teams find ways to do other things. I’m no different. Last night I spent a lot of time watching the Monsters Inc. DVD that I got in yesterday. :)
I tuned in late to the game, and guess what? We lost in extra innings again. However, by far and away the most entertaining thing of the game that I watched was Lou Piniella’s blow up after Mike Young made a spectacular play at second to get (at least by the umpire’s call) an out. Lou of course came out and had a major Lou meltdown. Quite funny to watch, ESPECIALLY as the umpire kept his cool and didn’t say a word, just kind of stood there and let Lou spew. I’m fairly sure that egged Lou on a bit more than he might have. Was also nice of the TV folks to leave the game on Lou, and not cut away to commercials, so we could see it all. There’s only one picture below of this, wish there were more stills. Quite quite funny.
He didn’t pitch in this game, but I still don’t like Rich Rodriguez. Oh yeah, Arod didn’t start the game, but did pinch hit late. Would have liked to have seen the entire night off for him, but one pinch hit isn’t that bad, I guess.
Additional game commentary is available here.

You know, when a game is played close, and you lose late, you’re supposed to say “I don’t mind losing that because it was a good game”. I’ve gotten tired of saying that over the last three years. I want to win again. I’m sure the Rangers do too, but as a fan, hey, all I can do is bitch about it, right? I can’t actually make decisions that impact the games, right? :)
Anyway, Chan Ho Park looked good, even though he walked 8 batters, it didn’t seem to impact him too much. Park has done a complete turn around lately, and he seems to be the pitcher we had signed, not that guy wearing #61 for the first half of the season. This is good, as I hope he can carry this over into next season. It does show he doesn’t come back well from an injury, though.
Arod looks beat out there, I think he needs a day off. Also, I still don’t like Rich Rodriguez.
Additional game commentary is available here.

I didn’t see most of this game, as I was watching my hometown Philadelphia Eagles whoop up on the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football. I did see the latter stages of the game though. I was bummed I missed Pudge getting ejected, it looked like quite a scene, especially with him flipping off the umpire. The DMN says that he could be in line for a suspension, but we’ll see if that happens.
Anyway, we managed a comeback against Kaz Sasaki in the 9th (who doesn’t look as impressive this year for some reason). However, our usual problem turned itself up late. Too many walks. In fact, we had 13 walks over the 11 innings, the last one being the worst, as it gave the Mariners the win. Normally I don’t like saying “Let’s end this season”, but since the Rangers seem unwilling to NOT use Rich Rodriguez, I’ll be glad when the season is over so I don’t have to look at him pitch for us (hopefully never again). In fact, all 6 of our pitchers walked at least one Mariner – yeesh.
No home runs at all in this game, which isn’t surprising with the ballpark we were playing in, but what was surprising was how ineffective Arod was last night. He had several opportunities to drive in quite a few runs, and did nothing – that was a bummer. Always love to see Arod stick it to the Mariners. In fact, if he’s gonna hit 60, he needs to get going, as there’s now 12 games left for him to get 5 home runs. 6 home runs to tie Maris’ AL record for home runs.
Additional game commentary is available here.

No time to write about this game as I sit here and do this page on Monday afternoon. Too busy at work. Besides, we got swept. :) Additional game commentary is available here.

No time to write about this game as I sit here and do this page on Monday afternoon. Too busy at work. Besides, we got swept. :) Additional game commentary is available here.

No time to write about this game as I sit here and do this page on Monday afternoon. Too busy at work. Besides, we got swept. :) Additional game commentary is available here.

Listened to this game at work, and as such, I didn’t get much listening done. I rarely do when at work.
Was really nice to see a win, and a sweep of the Mariners, who really got hurt by losing all four in Texas. It also brings us that much closer to actually getting to .500 before the end of the season. It’s not out of the question, but is definitely a tough project with so few games left in the season. It’s the first time we’ve swept Seattle in a four game series since around 1992, I think, and the first time at home since 1986. We’re also 30-30 since the All-Star Break. 19-9 Since August 4th, and 5 games above 500 at home. w00t! :)
Additional game commentary is available here.

I’m not going to touch on the September 11th stuff, as there’s been a lot written by a lot of people who could write about it a lot better than I.
As for this game, Colby Lewis was far more impressive than I anticipated him being. I didn’t see most of the game, because Wed is my bowling league, and missed most of it, but t was nice to see Arod jack another one, for 54 now, as well as a nice finish in the bottom of the ninth, damaging the Mariners chances some more – bet they thought coming to Texas would be a cakewalk. :)
Dare we think sweep? :) Additional game commentary is available here.