Angels 7, Rangers 4

Barely a couple of sips into my Farmhouse wit by local brewery Deep Ellum, the omen was set with the very first batter of the game as Mike Trout lead off with a home run. Once the Angels settled in with a 4-1 lead after four innings, it was time watch and rekindle my childhood love with the provocative detective Angela Lansbury and Murder she wrote [now streaming on Netflix.] The Angels have knocked Dempster around since being traded over from the N.L. He’s 0-2 with an 11.20 ERA against them. All other A.L. Teams 7-1, 2.92 ERA.

With the learning today Mike Adams is out indefinitely with a neck strain, it’s even more important that Uehara has been very good this month.

In the month of September. In 11 appearances, Uehara has 8.1 IP, one hit allowed, no walks, no runs, and 14 strikeouts. Uehara has faced 20 straight batters without allowing a baserunner, and has struck out 12 of them.

This recent uptick in performance by Uehara comes at a crucial time with October around the corner. The bullpen usage usually increases in the playoffs, and particularly in the last two years the bullpen plays a large role in the success of a postseason team. Were it not for the work of Uehara and Nathan, the Rangers bullpen would be in a minor state of turmoil. Alexi Ogando has had his struggles in a few September appearances, and beyond that it is a little hit or miss what kind of production is going to be seen from the rest of the bullpen.

Also three more runs were scored on Robbie Ross, who has not looked good of late, in the seventh. Scheppers, Font, and Uehara pitched well after that going 2.1 innings giving up only two hits, allowing a walk and striking out two. Wilmer Font is a very big man, with sexy stuff and could have an outside shot out of the pen next season as Lowe, Adams and Uehara are all free agents.

The only bright spot with the bats is Cruz and Beltre hit home runs and had two RBI a piece.

On Deck

Ervin Santana, RHP, 9-12, 4.93 ERA, 132 SO