I missed you, Yu. (Image via flickr.com user mikelachance.)

In what was supposed to be a very exciting Yu Darvish start, Rangers fans were given Scott Feldman instead.  Can you say let down?  Darvish apparently had some neck stiffness and the Rangers weren’t taking any chances.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m fine with Scooter.  In fact, I think he’s pitched way better than people probably expected once thrown into that starters role earlier this year.  I don’t have a beef with Scooter.

What is upsetting was that if the Rangers won tonight, Yu Darvish would have been only the 2nd rookie in the past 100 years to have 17 wins and at least 214 Ks.  The only other rookie to achieve that feat was Dwight Gooden back in 1984.  Guess Rangers fans will have to wait longer…

Anywho…  Feldman was just eh.  Given a 2-run lead in the bottom of the first, Scooter started out the 2nd by walking 2 of the first 3 batters he saw.  A double later and the A’s were within 1.  A solo shot in the 4th by Chris Carter would tie things at 2′s.  Feldman would only last 4 innings.

» Continue reading “Scott Feldman, Not As Exciting As Yu Darvish”

(Image via Keith Allison.)

On a night when both the A’s and Angels were off, the Rangers had an opportunity to gain a little more ground in the AL West.  With the game tied 4-4 headed into the top of the 10th, Ian Kinsler led off the inning with a (nail biting) triple.  Then who else but Michael Young (trollin’ trollin’) would come through with a game winning single to put the Rangers up 5-4?  Joe Nathan came in to finish things off in the bottom of the 1oth.

Scott Feldman, tonight’s starter, had yet another shockingly decent outing, allowing only 3 runs on 6 hits over 6 1/3 innings.  Unfortunately, despite a solid start, Feldman was not eligible for the win after Michael Kirkman gave up the Rangers 4-3 lead in the bottom of the 7th.

Offensively, the Rangers made quite a bit of noise in the 4th on home runs by Josh Hamilton and Adrian Beltre (I know, you’re shocked).  They tacked on a 4th run in the 7th on a double by Geovany Soto.  But that was it until the 10th.

Since it wouldn’t be a Laura recap without a little “let’s question a Ron Washington bonehead decision” rant… Top of the 9th, tie ball game, 2 outs, man on 1st.  Wash (WITH AN EXTENDED BENCH THAT INCLUDES ANDRUS AND PROFAR) lets Gentry bat against a RHP.  Sigh.  It’s like he’s decided to do the opposite of what is logical nowadays.  Of course Gentry struck out.  Probably doesn’t help that Gentry never plays either…

FINAL: Rangers 5, Royals 4

(Image by Flickr.com user dorena-wm.)

The Starter And Game

Roy Oswalt made a spot start, with the team pushing Yu Darvish back until Tuesday because of a tight quad. He went 5 1/3 giving up four runs, but only three were earned. He walked one and struck out four. He botched a rundown in the third inning as a runner from third was allowed to score and tie the game at two. Body language is easy to read but hard to know what’s really going on, but  again it looked like Oswalt was not happy being lifted in the sixth inning.

» Continue reading “Rangers 6-Run 8th Seals Twins’ Fate, Bottle Of Red Wine Seals Mine”

photo courtesy of Bart Hanlon

The game didn’t end well. It didn’t end well at all. The Oakland A’s finished off the Texas Rangers in the bottom of the 9th on a Brandon Hicks walk off homer. Final Score: Texas 3, Oakland 4…F.

The A’s, Ogando, and the rest of the Rangers bullpen ruined a nice return from Colby Lewis. I guess I shouldn’t say the “rest” of the bullpen because  neither Mike Adams or Joe Nathan partcipated in the action. I’m not really sure why Ronnie didn’t utilize two of the key cogs in the Rangers bullpen system, but he didn’t.

Colby Lewis, coming off the DL with forearm tendinitis, pitched 5 solid innings and gave up 3 hits, 1 run, and notched 3 strikeouts. Robbie Ross, relieving Lewis, gave up his first run in a long time. Ogando followed Ross and blew the save as he gave up a 2-run double to Josh Reddick. Michael Kirkman would finish things off and take the loss.

Michael Young, Nelson Cruz, and Craig Gentry led the offense with a RBI each.

T’s Game Notes / Observations:

• Josh Hamilton is not having a very good July. Is that an understatement? Surely no one else has noticed.
• The Rangers sported blue tops and grey bottoms.
• Adrian Beltre was a beast at 3B.
• Brandon Hicks homer was the 1st of his career. That’s defeating.

Upcoming Action: The Rangers are off tomorrow, but start a big time series on Friday against the Angels.

(Image via flickr.com user mikelachance816)

So when are the Rangers going to wake up and realize the All Star Break is over?

Yu Darvish certainly didn’t have his best stuff, but the offense did little to support him, so does it matter?  Oh did I mention that King Felix pitched a complete game, 3 hit shut out…oh, and struck out 12?  Yeah…

On the night, Darvish gave up 8 hits (including a home run), 7 runs, walked 4 and struck out 4.  Michael Kirkman was brought in in the 7th with the bases loaded and got out of the inning with a nifty play to get Jaso out at home and ended the threat with a strike out.  Martin Perez came in in the 8th, walking the first batter he faced, but then got a double play and a ground out to end the inning.

Maybe the bats will show up tomorrow?

FINAL: Rangers 0, Mariners 7

PS…Michael Young is a terrible 1st baseman.

The Rangers added another win to their spring total, but who really cares, it’s spring training. What matters most is, positions get settled – I’m looking at you centerfield – and guys keep working on what they need to work on.

In his first start since being removed with shoulder soreness on March 20, Neftali Feliz pitched 5 solid innings against the Cleveland Indians on Saturday, leading the Rangers to a 7 to 5 win. Feliz would end up with the W while giving up 3 runs, 5 hits, 3 walks, and 4 strike outs. He would also give up 2 home runs on 85 pitches, 51 for strikes.

In the 2nd inning with a 2-1 lead, Feliz observed the roster of the Indians and decided they needed some exercise. So he proceeded to walk 3 of the first 5 batters he faced. He would end up walking in a run.

» Continue reading “Texas Rangers Rapid Reaction: VICTORY!”

Mark Hamburger got the start against the Halos and RHP Trevor Bell Sunday afternoon.  Early in the 1st, Hamburger was introduced to Major League hitting when Albert Pujols took him yard.  With the exception of the solo home run, it wasn’t a bad outing for Hamburger, who gave up only 1 hit over 2 innings.

Ross, Cotts, Green and Tateyama also spent some time on the mound.  Collectively, they pitched 5 scoreless innings, gave up only 3 hits, stuck out 4, and walked 3.

With the score 0-2, the Rangers mounted a comeback in the top of the 8th.  With 2 outs and Connor Jackson on 1st (who had walked earlier in the inning), Dusty Brown, who had come in for Mike Napoli, hit a long home run to left to tie the game 2-2.

The tie wouldn’t last long.  Michael Kirkman took the mound in the 8th and promptly gave up a 2 run homer to Cantu.

The Rangers would mount another comeback in the top of the 9th against veteran Jason Isringhausen (guys, how is he still pitching?!).  With 1 out, Izzy walked Brad Hawpe and hit Alberto Gonzalez with a pitch.  Greg Miclat hit a double to right, scoring both runners.  Connor Jackson then singled off new pitcher  Jeremy Berg, scoring Miclat.  5-4 Rangers.

Unfortunately for the Rangers, Kirkman couldn’t get his stuff together.  He allowed a single to start the inning.  Then with only 1 out, he allowed 3 consecutive singles, scoring 2 runs.

FINAL: Rangers 5, Angels 6

• Leonys Martin was sent down to the Minors Sunday.  The CF battle has come down to Hamilton, Borbon, and Gentry.
• Hamburger got the start instead of Darvish since Wash didn’t want to expose Darvish to their division rivals.
• This Cardinals fan was not OK with having to watch Pujols homer in an Angels jersey.  Bleh.

Next up: Rangers take on the Reds Monday at 6:05pm.

(Photo courtesy of flickr.com user Mike LaChance.)

(Photo courtesy of flickr.com user Keith Allison.)

This was the second game in a day/ night split squad day for the team. 

Thusday evening, potential long man/ sixth starter Scott Feldman faced off against the Reds and their big offseason trade acquisition 24-year-old right-handed starter Mat Latos.  (Re: Latos – The price tag was quite daunting as they give up top prospects - infielder Yonder Alonso and catcher Yasmani Grandal, along with starting pitcher Edinson Volquez.)

Feldman gave up back to back to back doubles in the first and SIX of them overall in 4  1/3 innings of work (he was scheduled to go five). He also struck out three, walked one and gave up two runs.

» Continue reading “While You Were Sleeping… Rangers 2, Reds 6″

The Rangers win! Thaaaaaaaa Rangers win! Oh…it’s just spring training. But after going into the game with a 4 and 12 record, it’s nice to get another win even if it was against a Chicago Cubs split squad.

PITCHING: In Mesa, Arizona, the big news that came out of today’s game is that Neftali Feliz, the Rangers superstar pitcher, came out of the game an inning early with a sore shoulder…uh oh. He was scheduled to pitch four innings, but was removed after the third.

The 3 innings Nefti pitched were 3 scoreless, solid innings. On 49 pitches, he gave us 2 hits with 2 punch outs and a walk. He also was able to get out of a few jambs, which is always good news for a starter-in-training.

» Continue reading “Texas Rangers: Is Feliz’s Shoulder Okay?”

Oy, more rockiness against the Rockies. Could it be any more ironic? Man, what happened boys? I’m starting to get used to the no pitching during Spring Training, but no hitting either?

No office baseball today people….even though I’m pretty sure I would have looked better with my rubberband ball than the Rangers did today.

Nefty had a pretty good start, striking out Young and Tulowitzki and getting Scutaro to fly out in the first. In the second, he gave up back to back doubles and the Rockies were on the board 1-0.

MINI RANT: Is anyone else convinced that Neftali Feliz should NOT be a starter? Don’t get me wrong- I love the guy- I just don’t think he has the mental capacity to be a legit starter. Someone please wake up and get that guy back to the pen STAT!

» Continue reading “Texas Rangers: No Fireworks For The Rangers”