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wo in a row for the second time this week! I’m getting spoiled! You’d think we were the Mariners or something. :)
When the game started – with a triple and a run scored early – I figured it would be another Rangers game. Boy, was I wrong. That was *ALL* the A’s got. The one run. From that point on, Doug Davis was masterful, going 7 innings and giving up just 7 hits and one run. It was as if we were an experienced team, playing well like we had done for a long time. If this game is any judge, things are looking good!
Tim Hudson was also brilliant, going the complete game for the loss. He allowed only 5 hits over nine innings, and two runs – however… In the third inning, he gave up three straight hits, allowing for our two runs. Other than those three batters, Hudson was brilliant – it’s just that our pitching staff didn’t make as many mistakes. We even overcame a Mike Lamb throwing error.
Overall, a totally spectacular game – and played in only 2:44, too! I could get used to this.

What can you say about this one? Four runs – four solo home runs. That was all the offense. Arod, Gabe, & two from El Caballo, who looks to displace Andres Galarraga pretty quickly, I would think.
I didn’t see this game either, but I was watching baseball tonight, and they showed all I really needed to see on this one – all the home runs, and the great game saving stop by Raffy to end the game in the 9th.
The team really is starting to look good, even if they’re not winning all the time. Something nice to see. :)

I did not see this game – my cable company showed the Astros game instead of the Rangers game – long time readers of my site will know that pet peeve of mine.
Due to this, I watched some TV and a movie – so no commentary from me except to say that I didn’t think we’d pull off three in a row – but it was close.

Rob Bell made his Rangers debut tonight wearing uniform number 6. The lowest ever for a Rangers pitcher during the regular season. And Rob pitched like… well… a Ranger pitcher. Was mostly mediocre in the first inning, but I attribute that to nerves. Was great for a couple innings, and then pitched mediocre again in the fifth. Overall, not bad. Overall, not great.
I was surprised that we managed to come through and get some runs – we usually choke when we need to. I was also surprised that Narron left Ledee in there and didn’t pinch hit for him with Sierra. However Ledee came through, and it was great to see. It was all capped off by two solo home runs by Pudge late which made the difference.
Dare I hope for three in a row?

Darren Oliver looked great! Except for Craig Biggio, that is (who hit two solo HR’s off of Oliver). Those home runs were the only runs allowed in an extremely well pitched game by the Rangers (bullpen included; a bigger shock). The game was mosying along until the fifth, when we tied it at 2-2. However, Arod jacked a three run home run to really put a stomp on the Astros. Didn’t seem like the Astros really had a chance to get back into it after that.
Don’t know what else can be said about this one – Arod put it over the top after Oliver set it up with some great pitching!

That’s probably it for Ken Caminiti. In the midst of having a good series in a return home to Houston, Ken pulls his hammy rounding first, and was placed on the DL. I suspect that will be it for Ken. He’ll have to be activated to be released (can’t release a player on the DL), but I doubt he’ll play much more for us at all, and Ken’s comments in the press indicate he doesn’t want to be here, he seemed pissed off that we put him on the DL at all. Pudge also had to come out of the game with an injury, but it was just cramps, and he played again the next game.
The game itself was a great pitcher’s duel. It went 1-1 all the way through to the bottom of the 8th inning. Doug Davis pitched brilliantly, I thought – he deserved the win, we just couldn’t figure out their starter, either.
A loss, yes – but one of those losses you don’t mind. The game was great, and the play that won it was over and above the call of duty by the Astros.