Bring them up and put them down, that’s the way the Rangers beat them down. Sexy, sexy work by the Rangers pitching staff as they lead the Rangers to victory over the Colorado Rockies 4 – 2. Matt Harrison picked up the win. It’s his 10th of the year.

The offense? Decent. Could have been better. They left way too many runners stranded. Heck, the score should have been 14 – 0. But, who cares…a victory is a victory. If I had to pick an offensive MVP, I’d give it to Leonys Martin. Nice breakout game by him. Elvis wasn’t too bad either. Kinsler and Young…blah.

Here are some of my thoughts throughout the game…

1st Inning and 2nd Inning

• Leonys Martin…you have to catch that ball if you wanna play center field for the Texas Rangers.
• Warm air and current to the outfield bleachers should make for some solid gold home run ball.
• Matt Harry Harrison with some nice balls to the plate.
• Emily Jones has worn that shirt before on the Rangers broadcast. Me still like though.
• Josh Hamilton falls out of the batters box on that single…that’s all I’m going to say about that. Okay, maybe he looked a bit drunk. Sorry Josh.
• F, I hate leaving runners on the base.
• I like the all white uni’s with blue trim and blue hats.
• Harry flirts with danger but no danger is done.
• Nice stolen base Nelson. Speed Power Combo = solid country gold.
• Nice RBI double Leonys! Rangers 1, Rockies 0.
• That a boy Elvis! Nice RBI double yourself. Rangers 2, Rockies 0.

» Continue reading “Rangers Recap: 17 Games Over 500″

<photo by Paukrus>

• Derek Hollands looks so cute with his new face do and hair do. And he looks 12. And he has a hot wife.
• Jesus is batting DH for the Mariners. How can you beat Jesus?
• Elvis Andrus receives a day off. Not good for my fantasy baseball team.
• Chone Figgins is still on a major league team? Wow. Nice contract for the rest of baseball. And nice 1st strikeout for Holland.
• Nice work from Holland…1-2-3, sit down and go pee.
• Former Ranger Blake Beavan is rolling the dice on the mound for the Mariners.
• The bottom of the 1st went by way to fast for the Rangers.

» Continue reading “Rangers Recap: One.Big.Turd!”

When this happens in the 1st, you don't expect the pitcher to go until the 8th... Maddux is Magic. (Photo via Keith Allison)

Matt Harrison, who has really struggled his last few starts, took the mound against the Mariners.  It seemed, in the 1st, that we were getting that guy again tonight.  Walk. Single. Single. Walk.  And somehow the Mariners only scored 1 run, taking the lead early.  Oh, and Matt was already at 36 pitches.

Thankfully, that version of Matt Harrison didn’t stay long, and Harry cruised through 6 more innings before being replaced in the 8th by Mike Adams who pitched a perfect frame in relief.

» Continue reading “Hamilton Busts Through Wall, Rangers Win 3-1″

<photo courtesy of Ron Jenkins>

Surprise surprise, Mike Napoli brought out his big stick and proceeded to swang it around the park for a 2-run home run and 2 other RBI while leading the Texas Rangers to a 2 game sweep of the Boston Red Sox. Derek Holland would tow the rubber for God’s team while pitching 7 strong, strong innings and winning the game 6 to 3. On to the action…

Josh Hamilton led off the 1st with a single, which isn’t surprising, given his bad ass nature. And my bud Chauncey appreciated that since Hamilton has led him to a 1st place lead in our fantasy baseball league. It’s early though. Not much else happened in the top of the 1st at Fenway, other than Derek getting out of a little jam with runners on the pond.

Nothing much happened in the 2nd either…for the Rangers. However, when the Red Sox came up to bat, the ghost of offenses past showed up and Youkilis slammed a home run over the green monster for an early lead. Oh, and David Ortiz just happened to be on base. Rangers 0, Red Sox 2 Who cares, moving on…

In the top of the 3rd, my fantasy short stop Elvis Andrus, finally came through for me with a hit off the green monster, but knowing that I needed some fantasy help, tried to stretch a single into a double and got thrown out. Oh well. I like the effort and Ian Kinsler was able to move from 1st to 3rd.

» Continue reading “Rangers Recap: Yo! Nap Nap Wiener Time!”

The Texas Rangers brought out the whoopin sticks and proceeded to spank the Chicago White Sox 5 to 0. Big Matt Harrison, who I dropped in fantasy baseball (twice), brought the basics to the mound and was dominant.

What started out as a fairly boring game through the top of the 3rd, picked up on a David Murphy home dinger in the bottom of the 3rd and would continue from there.

And not to be outdone by Murph, Adrian Beltre slammed his first hit of the year into the right field bleachers and Josh Hamilton sent an upper decker into the right field home run porch.

ARMS

Matt Harrison was strong as an ox for the Rangers with 6 innings of 4 hit ball. He struck out 3 and gave up 0 runs. Nicely done. And after his 6 innings of Picasso type work, Mark Lowe entered the game in the 7th and did his job.

» Continue reading “Texas Rangers Bring Out The Whoopin Stick”

It’s Texas Rangers opening day! Let that sink in…

I love opening day. I love it so hard. And I was so nervous for the season to begin. I was like a little girl opening a Christmas present and received her first Texas Rangers hat.

WARNING…this post may be long, but I was excited dammit. Get over it. On to the game action…

After missing the first pitch, thank you Fox Sports South West, the always solid Colby Lewis took the mound against the Chicago White Sox and displayed an even-keel approach to pitching. On a beautiful day at the ballpark with the temperature coming in at a Texas 75 degrees and a slight breeze, Mr. Lewis performed admirably in the first.

Although he did allow a White Sox spare to get on base with a single, the Cobra Snake struck out the next hitter and would get out of the inning unscathed. And a little props to Yorvit Torrealba who gunned down Alejandro De Aza at 2nd.

Let the offense begin…In the bottom of the 1^st, the Rangers waited all of two pitches to get the bats going – impatient it appears. With former Ranger John Danks towing the rubber for the White Sox, Kinsler took his second offering down the 3^rd base line for a double. And after a beautiful bunt from Andrus to move Kinsler to 3^rd, Joshy Hamilton sacrificed Kinsler in for the lead. Rangers 1, Sox 0. Boom.

What a great way to start the season. And after 1 inning of work, Kinsler was batting 1000.

Not much happened in the 2^nd inning other than the Nap-O-Li chant engine started up. It never gets old. I sometimes wonder how well I would do at my job if I had my name chanted all the time. I think I would dominate.

In the 3^rd, Colby Lewis dropped the boom arm to strikeout the side after allowing a lead-off double. My 3^rd inning observation – Torrealba is a beast behind the plate with cat like reflexes. Oh, and the Cobra had 5 strikeouts through 3.

» Continue reading “Texas Rangers: Opening Day…Enough Said!”

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!”

So I attended my first Texas Rangers Spring Training games with the wife as part of our prebaby honeymoon (or practice honeymoon). No, that’s not all we did, but it was a part of it. Anyway, some of my thoughts and observations while attending this wonderful event are listed below. » Continue reading “Texas Rangers: The Todd’s Head To Spring Training!”

More Madduxes?  Yes, please. 

After several weeks of fretting that Mike Maddux would leave Texas for a gig up in Chicago, it now seems that Greg may be the one relocating.  According to DallasNews.com, Greg has left his position with the Cubs organization. 

Rumor has it he will take a similar position with the Rangers, working with pitchers at both in the majors and minors on technique and such – basically teaching them the Maddux magic.

Nothing’s confirmed yet.  FINGERS CROSSED.

UPDATE (11/29/2011, 3:20pm): Jed Hoyer has confirmed on MLB Network Radio that Greg is, in fact, joining his brother in Texas.

Dear Mr. Maddux,

I’m writing because I’m concerned about this interest the Chicago Cubs have taken in you.  And, well, I don’t like it one bit.  I’m also concerned that you don’t know how much we Rangers fans adore you, and how much we want you to stay.

Instead of a lot of begging, I’m going to speak to your sensible side.  Prior to your interview Wednesday, I just want you to think about a few things. 

1) Why would you want to manage the CUBS?  Yeah, I know your brother is a pitching legend over there, but seriously.  They’re the Cubs.  You can’t seriously tell me that you’d be excited to manage Carlos Zambrano or Alfonso Soriano? 

2) Just think of the young talent you can mold here in Texas.  We’re not even close to seeing how great Neftali Feliz or Derek Holland will be.  Plus, Holland needs a few tips on how to grow a badass mustache.  You can’t just leave him with that teen-stache he’s sporting.  That would just be mean.

3)  I know you turned down the Red Sox position due to concerns over moving your family, so why would Chicago be any different.  Besides, it’s like, REALLY cold there.  Why would you voluntarily chose cold weather?  Think about it.

So, on behalf of all Rangers fans, please stay.  If not for us, do it for the Dutch-stache.

Hugs and Kisses,

L