I was originally planning on going to this game. I was going to go early, and retake the photos for my seat selector feature here on this site. The pictures are due to be retaken, especially due to all the changes in the park the last two years. Then this happened:
This was an odd game. It was technically the Texas Rangers vs the Round Rock Express. However, after a few innings, it somewhat turned into a scrimmage game between Round Rock and themselves. The Rangers starters played not too long, and subbed in guys who were either going to be in AAA, or were very recently in AAA.
A sloppily pitched game. 18 runs, and 28 hits will qualify for that. If you want to read the details, go check out the mlb.com link above.
However, Josh Hamilton finally got a spring home run – his first. Beltre homered as well. Last year I went down to Round Rock via a Chevy promotion. Was kind of hoping it would happen again, but it didn’t. Had fun last spring. Still, I might have to go down to Round Rock during the season for a game. I miss that road trip.
I’m skipping commentary on this one – didn’t see or hear any of it, and I dont have the time to do a box score recap.
This was the final game in Arizona for the season. The remainder of the exhibition games are in Texas!
I’m skipping commentary on this one – didn’t see or hear any of it, and I dont have the time to do a box score recap. Still, not thrilled at the “eh” outing by Neftali Feliz here.
Yu Darvish looked quite good on Friday night against the Rockies. Six innings pitched, six hits, one walk, but ELEVEN strike outs. That was quite nice. He did give up three earned runs, however two of them came on a two run home run to Jason Giambi, who is still playing (that surprised me). In fact, Giambi was the only guy who Darvish didn’t have control over. Giambi was 3-3. Helton was 2-3. Between those two, they had five of the nine hits that Colorado had for the entire game.
Darvish did pretty well, just not against those two. :)
I would like to say I hope you don’t know anyone who has autism. But you do know one. Me. I don’t personally have autism, but my two year old son does. When your kid has autism, so do you.
When your kid can’t talk to anyone, can cause a scene, you have to explain to people what they are, it is stressful. Dealing with uninformed people’s opinions. None of it is any fun. My wife found a place where we can buy “Autism Cards”, where you can hand them out to people who are giving you weird looks, or make remarks if your kids are acting up in public. Check ’em out.
Remarks: First off, I was wondering when we were going to start making some roster moves, as we’re now under a week to go until opening day, and we haven’t seen a ton of movement on the roster.
The two catcher moves were no surprise. Neither of these guys was breaking camp. Same with Greg Reynolds.
Tanner Scheppers will probably be here at some point this year, but not the opening day 25.
I am a bit surprised that Kirkman was optioned out. Not shocked, but a little surprised. I think this might tip their hand regarding Robbie Ross. Kirkman was widely expected to have a spot, because he was the only left hander in the pen possibilities that has major league experience with the Rangers. I know that’s how I felt anyway. But he hasn’t exactly grabbed hold of the opportunity, and Robbie Ross has for the most part.
We’re getting close – with the Japan series, and the Rangers opening a day after half the teams do, I don’t know what day we have to submit our final 25 man roster. I asked Jamey about it. :)
Ron Washington named his starting rotation for the beginning of the 2012 season on Thursday. It pretty much isn’t a big surprise, although there was one minor surprise to me. Here’s the five:
Remarks: I liked Hawpe. As I said before, he’s helped me out in fantasy leagues in the past. However, that’s the past, and the “now” version of Brad isn’t that old one anymore. He’s coming off surgery, has issues throwing, and hasn’t hit a ton. Shame, as I would have liked to have had him stick around, but he’s not exactly going to make the club like that. Read something about him possibly coming back on a minor league deal too if he doesn’t find any takers.
Matt Harrison started this game, and pitched quite well. Six innings, six hits, one run, one walk, struck out seven. 91 pitches, so he had a good outing.
Problem is Matt Cain and the Giants were a bit better. Cain’s line was seven innings, just three hits and two earned runs, struck out six. However, two of the three hits were back to back solo home runs by Mitch Moreland & Mike Napoli in the second inning. That was it other than a double by Josh Hamilton which didn’t amount to anything. We did get a few more hits off of their bullpen guys, but no more runs.