Happy Father’s Day to all of you dads out there! What did you get your dad? Me? I got my dad a Rangers W…Well I can’t take all of the credit, but the boys did come out on top today so my dad was happy!

The Rangers started out just like they have in the last couple of games and let the Astros get on the board first. The Rangers went through the first five innings scoring no runs…what’s up guys? Let’s put the bat on the ball.

That’s exactly what they did too. In the bottom of the 6th with the bases loaded, Ian Kinsler belted one to deep left center, clearing the bases and sliding into third for a triple.

That seemed to get the Rangers motivated and they put up 9 runs for the game. Colby pitched another gem… He went 7 innings, allowing one run, one walk and had 10 strikeouts. I don’t know what that boy has been eating lately but he needs to keep it up.

Colbs it starting to look like the ace he’s meant to be. Let’s put him on the Wheaties box!

In fact, let’s keep it up Rangers! Keep playing the way you have been. I like winning and I like staying ahead of the Angels. I’d like to keep it that way!

FINAL: Rangers 9, Astros 3

Tomorrow the Rangers head back to the West Coast (oh please no whiplash this time boys) to take on the Padres.

I love when the Astros are in town. The ballpark is sold out, the Texas rivalry is on, and I get to talk crap to my Houston friends when the Astros lose. It’s awesome.

I’ve been a little worried lately with all of the injuries. I’m somewhat convinced a meteor is going to crash into our bullpen one of these days, but miss everyone else. What? They are dropping like flies lately.

Tonight the Rangers brought up Justin Grimm, the Rangers fifth round pick in 2010, to take on the Astros. He’s the eighth starting pitcher for the Rangers this season. I’m not going to lie. I was a little scared.

BUT…I trust the front office. The Nolan and Daniels would not have brought him up if they didn’t feel he was ready. They were right.

Grimm only allowed three runs over six innings and struckout seven. He didn’t walk a batter and helped the Rangers win the Silver Boot Trophy for the 6th straight year.  Pretty impressive for a 23 year old rookie.

The bats were quiet during the first couple of innings  (well the first 5 innings to be exact) and the Astros got on the board first. Not to worry, the boys bounced back nicely in the sixth with a rally started by Gentry and Kinsler.

A couple of runs and a Nelly boomstick later the Rangers rolled on to an 8-3 win over the Astros.

FINAL: Rangers 8, Astros 3

End of Game Notes:

• Justin Grimm was the first pitcher since Steven Strasburg to have at least 7 strikeouts and no walks.
• Hamilton was released from the hospital and is expected to workout Sunday and return to the lineup on Monday.
• Colby Lewis will make his start tomorrow going for his third consecutive complete game.

What to expect

- Above average velocity

- Control ahead of command

- Curveball flashes plus

- Average to above average changeup

» Continue reading “Texas Rangers: Who Is Justin Grimm?”

Since no one wants to talk about what happened last night, instead I’m going to look ahead.  With interleague play starting next week*, I have to ask…

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*Yes, technically it’s already started since the Rangers played Houston a few weeks ago, but does that really matter?

<image courtesy of baseballbacks>

With the bases loaded and two outs, the Rangers had batted all the way around to the pitchers spot while compiling 3 runs in the process, and Colby Lewis stepped up to the plate and did not disappoint. 

Lewis knocked in David Murphy and Nelson Cruz on a monster shot to short right center to give the Rangers a 5 – 0. The Rangers would put it on cruise control and finish the Astros off 6 – 1.

It was about time Colby Lewis stepped up for the Rangers…or at least short term. Lewis had pitched, let’s just say…not so good in his last few outings, but today he got back on track. And who cares it was against the Astros. They’re still not the Pirates.

<photo courtesy of Keith Allison>

T’s Observations / Game Notes:

• Colby Lewis also had a single in the 5th.
• Mr. Lewis threw 122 pitches, the 6th highest pitch count in the majors. He finished with 8 innings pitch, 4 hits allowed, 1 earned run, and 6 strike outs.
• David Murphy followed up his inside-the-park home run last night with a home run today.
• The Rangers took the series lead 2 games to 3.
• Robbie Ross finished off the Astros in the bottom of the 9th.
• Almost all the Rangers had hits in this game, but one didn’t…poor Adrian Beltre. We still love you though.

Upcoming Action: Yu Darvish and Felix Hernandez face off in a very delicious match up of AL West rivals as the Rangers visit the Mariners on Monday night. Game time is 9:10 central.

WTF was that?!

Anyone else sick of seeing bad Derek Holland?  2 home runs?  Hell, he only threw 59 strikes in 100 pitches.  It’s like he’s now a terrible hybrid of bad Holland and bad Colby Lewis.  You have a 4-0 lead in the 3rd and you blow it?  Sigh.  Oh, and Wash having to actually manage a game?  Not good.

The lone bright shiny moment in the game for the Rangers came in the top of the 3rd.  Two men on and Murphy drills an INSIDE THE PARK HOME RUN.  Lots of yelling.  Lots.

Other than that, the rest of the game is not worth mentioning.  Everyone wearing a Texas uniform pretty much sucked.

Positivity, kids.

FINAL: Rangers 5, Astros 6  

(Photo courtesy of flickr.com user mikelachance816)

Another game, another stupid Wash decision.  I don’t like this trend.

Rangers up 4-1 in the bottom of the 9th, so naturally you bring in your closer, right?  What if your closer is coming off of Tommy John surgery and pitched the previous 3 days?  Yeah, maybe I’d look to someone else, Wash.  Thankfully, no damage was done (tonight).

FINAL: Rangers 4, Astros 1

Aside from Wash’s crazy 9th inning antics, here’s what happened:

Today’s starter, Neftali Feliz was definitely not at his best, going only 4 and 2/3 innings, giving up 3 hits, 1 run, WALKING 5, and striking out 6.  Not so good, but got the job done.  Pitching highlight?  Robbie Ross and Koji Uehara pitching 3 and 1/3 innings of scoreless, 1-hit ball.  Woo! Woo! Bullpen!

Those 4 runs were courtesy of an Adrian Beltre sac fly (scoring Ian Kinsler who had doubled), an Nelson Cruz single, a Michael Young double, and a Beltre solo shot.

Overall, not too shabby.  The Astros starter tonight, Wandy Rodriguez, started the game with a 1.99 ERA.  Getting 4 runs off of that is superb.

This weekend the Rangers will make their way south to take on the Houston Astros for the 1st installment of the Lone Star Series.  The Astros, who will be joining the Rangers in the AL West next season, are currently 4th in the NL Central with a record of 16-21, 3-7 in their last 10 games.  The Rangers took home the Silver Boot last year, going 4-2 against the Astros, and hope to do the same this year.

Friday we’ll see Neftali Feliz (3-1, 3.32 ERA) take the mound against Wandy Rodriguez (3-3, 1.99 ERA).  Saturday we’ll get Derek Holland (3-2, 3.78 ERA) battle Lucas Harrell (2-3, 4.40 ERA).  The series finale on Sunday will feature Colby Lewis (3-3, 3.63 ERA) and Jordan Lyles (0-0, 3.00 ERA).  This will be Lyles’ 3rd start since being called up from AAA on Tuesday.

Some Astros players to watch:

• Brett Myers has taken over the closer duties for the Astros and has been excelling in the role.  He currently has 9 saves in 10 opportunities.
• 1st baseman Carlos Lee has been on a tear lately, hitting 10-17 in the past 4 games.
• For the ladies (and some gents), I’m told outfielder Travis Buck is pretty easy on the eyes.  You know because that’s important.
• 2nd baseman Jose Altuve leads the team with a .309 BA, however he’s hit a cold spell going only 9-44 in his last 10 games.
• LHP Wandy Rodriguez, Friday’s starter, has been stellar all season with a 1.99 ERA.

For more on the Astros, check out Tales From the Juicebox.