News and Notes

Texas re-signed infielder Guilder Rodriguez, 2B/OF Alejandro Selen (a potential six-year minor-league free agent), and RHP Daniel Lopez.

Full-Season Position Players of the Year

1. 3B Mike Olt (Age 24, AA, .288/.398/.579, 46 XBH, 14% BB rate, 4 SB)

Olt led Texas’s minor leaguers with 28 homers in only 95 games, drew a lot of walks, and played excellent defense at third.  He had a brief MLB campaign hampered by plantar fasciitis, Olt barely played down the stretch. But when he played he didn’t hit much. Despite the disappointing conclusion, Olt confirmed his status among baseball’s best prospects during the course of the season.  He’s going to be a solid Major Leaguer. In what should be a busy offseason, Olt’s status is as undefined as anyone in the organization.  In recent years, Texas hasn’t used Spring Training as a tryout camp except for role players, so Olt will probably know his short-term future no later than March 1st. He could be in Texas, Round Rock, or traded to another franchise.

2. SS Jurickson Profar (Age 19, AA, .281/.368/.452, 47 XBH, 12% BB rate, 16 SB) 

Fantastic. Elite. Will be with Rangers in 2013. 

3. CF Leonys Martin (Age 24, AAA, .359/.422/.610, 32 XBH, 9% BB rate, 10 SB)

Statistically, Martin pummeled the opposition.  He only played in 55 games, Martin missed six weeks with a thumb injury after an ill-advised head-first slide but hit as well as ever when he returned. Martin did not affirm his status as Texas’s 2013 CF.  His use of plus running and defensive tools felt short at times.  Like Olt, circumstances and lack of instant production hurt him. Additional AAA seasoning doesn’t serve much purpose. Is a Martin/Gentry platoon in center what the Rangers go with in 2013? 

4. 3B Drew Robinson (Age 20, low-A, .273/.409/.444, 40 XBH, 17% BB rate, 10 SB)

After a highly disappointing 2011 in Spokane, the left-handed Robinson again started slowly then hit 13 homers and spent a fair amount of time at 2B.  His platoon split was huge. Robinson was drafted in 2010 as an uncommonly polished high-school hitter.  The year matched the results. Myrtle Beach, then Frisco in 2013.

5. RF Joey Butler (Age 26, AAA, .290/.392/.473, 49 XBH, 14% BB rate, 6 SB)

Butler in 2012 he improved his walk rate, struck out less and smacked a career-high 20 homers. He’s a corner outfielder who will be 27 next season.  In a lesser organization, or with the Rangers during the early part of the previous decade, he would have already stepped onto a Major League field. Round Rock or another organization in 2013. 

6. 1B Chris McGuiness (Age 24, AA, .268/.366/.474, 48 XBH, 13% BB rate, 0 SB)

After an injury-plagued 2011, McGuiness showed why Texas wanted him in the Jarrod Saltalamacchia trade.  He ranked fourth in the Texas League in homers (23) and walks (69). McGuiness was in the Arizona Fall League’s Rising Stars game, but he doesn’t hit for average, wasn’t young for the level and plays a position that demands hefty offense.  He has to keep producing.  Round Rock in 2013.

7. 2B Leury Garcia (Age 21, AA, .292/.337/.398, 25 XBH, 5% BB rate, 31 SB)

2012: After an impressive AFL, Garcia made incremental gains offensively and eliminated much of the inconsistency from his dazzling defense at second and short. Slowly, steadily, Garcia has improved. Turns 22 in March, will be at Round Rock in 2013.

8. 2B Odubel Herrera (Age 20, high-A, .284/.335/.382, 33 XBH, 6% BB rate, 27 SB)

Steady, solid. Mixed.  Herrera handled the level and will reach AA as a 21-year-old.  On the downside, another tryout at shortstop proceeded poorly.  Assuming he’s done there, his future depends more heavily on his bat. Frisco in 2013.

9. SS Hanser Alberto (Age 19, low-A and high-A, .299/.327/.410, 39 XBH, 4% BB rate, 24 SB)

Contact-oriented shortstop improved greatly from 2011 at Spokane.  Was in Carolina League while still a teenager and was the youngest hitter with at least 200 plate appearances in the league .  At mid-season, he simply stopped taking pitches, drawing only two walks in his last 78 games. Status is up.  Alberto showed fans what Texas sees in him. Frisco in 2013.  But don’t view a repeat of the Carolina League as a setback.

10. CF Engel Beltre (Age 22, AA, .261/.307/.420, 47 XBH, 4% BB rate, 36 SB)

Beltre hit for power and had his best year in stolen bases. He’s a top-notch defender in center. The power surge is nice, and the statistics, Beltre’s plate approach hasn’t changed.  His percentages of pitches taken, swings-and-misses and other categories were unchanged. Including playoffs, Beltre has played 317 Double-A games. Wow. Round Rock in 2013, if he’s still with the organization.

I visited the Temple today for a nooner and definitely left without being satisfied. Joe Nathan came into the game with a lead and blew it and I went home all pissed off. That was game 1 against the Angels, but that’s not what this recap is about. See Dave England for that.

In game 2, Joe Nathan got a red0 and I was finally satisfied. With a 1 run lead heading into the 9th, Nathan took the ball and shoved it up Anaheim’s anus. I couldn’t really use Angels in that sentence…that would have been awkward. Mike Napoli thanked the Angels front office once again for the trade and slammed 2 shots into the bleachers as the Rangers finished off the Angels by a score of 8 to 7.

Derek Holland started the night cap off with a helluva 1st inning. Helluva = 4 runs given up in the 1st. But the Rangers would battle back through 5 innings and take a 8 -4 lead heading into the 7th inning. During the Rangers offensive outburst, Angel slayer Mike Napoli would lead the way after David Murphy and Josh Hamilton primed everything up for him.

Josh doubled to start the scoring off and Murphy homered to continue it, and then Nap Nap Big Weiner started the slaying…solo HR to left in the 2nd, 3 run dinger in the 3rd, and finally, a 2 run double to center. All of that offense would be enough, but not without drama.

With Angel runners on base and Howie Kendrix at the plate in the 7th, Holland sent a meat pie over the plate and Kendrix sent it out for a 3-run bomb to cut the lead to 1. That would finish Holland’s night. Heading into the 9th still up by 1, Joe Nathan put his big boy pants on and sent the Angels to the showers with their wings tucked between their legs.

Ball game. Rangers 8, Angels 7. And with that victory, the Rangers are headed to the playoffs.

T’s Game Notes / Observations:

• Derek Holland finished the game with 6.2 innings pitched, 5 strike outs, and the win…his 12th of the year.
• Great work by Koji Uehara tonight…that’s big time.
• Adrian Beltre left the game in the top of the 7th after reaching for a liner to his left and was replaced by Mike Olt.
• The Rangers head to Oakland with a 2 game lead.
• The Baltimore Orioles are celebrating.
• The New York Yankees are celebrating.

(Image via Keith Allison.)

For the first time in franchise history, the Texas Rangers have hit the 3 million in attendance mark.  I guess back-to-back World Series appearances and the unusually mild Texas summer help things, huh?  It’s too bad the Rangers couldn’t get a win.   

We didn’t get the Derek Holland we had last game, but this one was OK too.  I’ll take a 7 inning, 7 strike outs, 2 run outing.  And sadly, like his last outing, Holland didn’t get a win. 

The offense tonight was fueled by Beltre/Cruz/Young who were responsible for the 2 runs scored in the 4th and for the 2 runs that put the Rangers on top in the 8th, but 4 runs just weren’t enough. 

Joe Nathan was brought in to finish things off in the 9th, his 3rd straight appearance in as many games.  A home run to the first batter he faced didn’t start things off well.  A single followed by ANOTHER home run and the Rangers were down 5-4.  Elvis Andrus did his best to muster up a rally by tripling with 2 outs in the bottom 9th, but David Murphy failed to get him home.  This was Nathan’s first blown save since April 11th…hard to be too upset about that.

FINAL: Rangers 4, Indians 5

Injury Updates: Josh Hamilton, who received a shot in his knee earlier today, was held out of the lineup as a precaution.  Adrian Beltre, who injured his shoulder in last night’s game, was restricted to DH duties.  The Rangers aren’t acting like either injuries are overly serious, but you never know.  Mike Olt, who left the game last night, has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and will probably be out 10-14 days.

(Image via Keith Allison.)

It’s nice to see the Rangers taking advantage of a series against a losing team, especially this late in the season. 

Ryan Dempster, with help by bombs by both Adrian Beltre and Josh Hamilton, pitched a solid game, going 7 innings, giving up only 2 runs.  Dempster struggled through the 3rd, 4th and 5th, but cruised through his final 2 innings of work.

Now, for the bad news. Adrian Beltre left the game in the 5th due to a sore shoulder, injured on an incredible diving play in the 2nd. Not much was said as to the extent of the injury (Beltre is getting a “precautionary MRI”), but, as we all know, a Beltre injury at this stage of the season could be pretty detrimental for this team. Let’s hope they were just being overly cautious.

And to make matters worse, Josh Hamilton left the game after the 7th with soreness in his knee.  Fantastic…

Oh, but there’s more… Mike Olt, who came into the game for Adrian Beltre in the 5th, exited the game after pulling a leg muscle in the 7th.  So, we got to see Ian Kinsler play 3rd with Jurickson Profar coming in to play 2nd. Anyone else shocked Young wasn’t asked to play 3rd? Wash confuses me.

FINAL: Rangers 5, Indians 2

(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”

(Image via Keith Allison)

FINAL: Rangers 10, Yankees 6

The starter and the game 

This game was normal and Derek Holland was fantastic until the bottom of the sixth inning. Staked to a 4-0 lead, Holland gave up 5 runs, 4 earned, on 4 hits and a game tying home run to Andruw Jones. Washington’s mad[dening] genius lineup included Mike Olt making only his fourth start in the outfield and for the first time in the majors.

The ‘pen

Tanner Scheppers relieved Holland, pitching 2/3 of an inning, giving up 2 hits and and a run. Micheal Kirkman pitched an inning, walking one and striking out one. Mike Adams pitched the eighth, walking one and striking out two. Joe Nathan pitched the ninth only allowing a hit.

The bats

Everyone had a hit except Moreland, who drew two intentional walks. The team had 16 hits overall and 6 walks. David Murphy led the way with 3 hits and Andrus, Young, Hamilton, Beltre and Soto all had two each. Beltre and Gentry had three RBI each.

End of the bench notes

- Elvis had two hits today, making it four years in a row where he’s had two hits on the death date of Elvis Presley

- Pitcher wins don’t matter, but Tanner Scheppers got his first

On deck

RH Yu Darvish [12-8, 4.54 ERA, 99 ERA+, 1.46 WHIP] v Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ [8-10, 5.04 ERA, 81 ERA+, 1.44 WHIP]

(Image via flickr.com user mikelachance816.)

Rangers 2, Tigers 1

The starter and the game

The night that long time Rangers radio broadcaster, Eric Nadel, who’s been with the team since 1979, was inducted into the teams Hall of Fame was perfect. The Rangers also celebrated 40 years by having former players in attendance tonight. The team wore 1976 uniforms and Derek Holland went 7 2/3, allowing only a lead off home run to local boy, Austin Jackson (who went to Denton high school). Holland walked only one and struck out nine.

The pen

Ogando pitched 2/3 inning allowed a hit and struck out one. Robbie Ross walked the only batter he faced. Mike Adams pitched the final 2/3 innings, giving up a hit.

The bats

Cruz had an RBI single in the 4th off Verlander, and recently called up über prospect, Mike Olt, AKA: Captain America, pinch hit in the ninth with two outs and singled home Cruz after a nine pitch at-bat.  Cruz had walked to start the 9th. The offense had only eight hits with Beltre and Murphy leading the way with two each. The Rangers had three walks, all off Tigers pitcher, Brayan Villarreal.

End of the bench notes

- Rangers had their 32nd sellout of the season

- Mike Napoli was placed on the 15 day DL earlier on Saturday.

On deck circle

RH Yu Darvish [11-8, 4.57 ERA, 99 ERA+, 1.45 WHIP] v. Tigers RH Rick Porcello [9-6, 4.62 ERA, 91 ERA+, 1.50 WHIP]

It’s hard to know who to point the finger at after today’s loss to the Royals, but let’s try shall we?

Was it the starter’s Derek Holland’s fault for giving up 2 home runs (and 6 earned runs) in his 6 innings of work?

What about Elvis Andrus running through a stop sign in the 7th and being thrown out at the plate?

Or maybe the botched suicide squeeze with Olt at 3rd, Elvis batting AND NO MEN OUT?

Maybe it was Alberto Gonzalez’s error that prevented the double play in the 10th?

Possibly it was Mike Olt’s throwing error on a double play attempt that eventually led to the winning run to score in the 10th?

Honestly, it doesn’t matter.  Those are A LOT of stupid mistakes.

FINAL: Rangers 6, Royals 7

Game Notes:

• Mike Olt played 3rd for the first time since being called up.
• Ian Kinsler had the day off.
• Elvis Andrus left the game in the 8th with an injury, presumably from his slide at home in the 7th.
• Roy Oswalt pitched 2 perfect innings in relief, striking out 4.

Wow…It’s been a whirlwind of a week. The 4 game series with the Angels wore me out. BUT, we’ve won FOUR in a row and we’re sitting in a little bit more comfortable position in the pennant race than we were at the middle of the week.

The Rangers took on the Kansas Royals in KC again this evening and honestly I was shocked by how many Rangers fans were in the stands. Apparently a lot of people like the Rangers up there…who knew?

Scott Feldman took the mound again and again blew my mind. He pitched 7 and 2/3, gave up 6 hits, 2 runs, and struck out 4. I’m really not sure where this dude came from but he’s more than welcome to stay. He has a 2.10 ERA since July 1st. Pretty darn good if you ask me.

The Rangers struck first in the third inning when Josh Hamilton singled on a soft line drive to left field, scoring Kinsler and Andrus. The boys scored again in the 4th on a Mike Olt sac fly to right (which was his first Major League RBI!!!).

Mini Love Decree: I love Mike Olt. He just looks like he’s a nice guy AND the guy can play some ball. Yes, he’s going to mess up. He’s young. It’ll take some time for him to adjust but he’ll get there. He has a great mechanics and can pull through. Plus his parents were at the game tonight and when he had his first RBI they were about the cutest people I’ve ever seen. So proud of their son.

The Royals got a couple runs in the bottom of the 5th but Olt got another RBI in the 6th to give us our final score. 4-2 Rangers. The bats on the Rangers are finally starting to look consistent again even if they’re not putting up 15 runs a game. Score more runs than the other team. That’s how you win games….right John Madden?

FINAL: Rangers 4, Royals 2

Utter chaos…

FINAL:  Rangers 15, Angels 9

Seems the Rangers offense picked up right where it left off Wednesday night.  After last nights 18 hits, they rapped out another 18 in tonight’s 15-9 win over the Angels, splitting the series after losing the first two games.

Mitch Moreland delivered a pinch hit go ahead RBI single in a four run seventh–as the Rangers’ bullpen held the Angels scoreless over 4 1/3 innings.

Ryan Dempster made his A.L. debut tonight after the Rangers traded for him Tuesday at the trade deadline. Dempster was atrocious, giving up a season-high eight runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings, but it was Roy Oswalt and his white horse, who was sent to the bullpen earlier this week after Dempster was acquired, who picked up the win, tossing two scoreless innings.

» Continue reading “A Rangers Game Whose Scorebook Reads Like A Jackson Pollack Painting”