<photo courtesy of Mike Lachance>

Scott Feldman immediately took the mound out of the bullpen and started the game for the Rangers. I think they call that a “spot start”. Robbie Ross relieved the red beard after 3 innings and pitched a perfect 2.2 innings to pick up the win against the Yankees 7 – 3.

And the Rangers offensive was at it again – Beltre, Kinsler, Nap Nap, Elvis, Moreland and Young! 

Adrian Beltre started it off with a solo shot early and he ended up going 3 for 5 while knocking in 3. And Kinsler too, at it again. He ended up 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Mike Napoli and Mitch Moreland both left the yard, and I’m not talking about leaving the yard to go home after the game, I’m talking about home runs! Mike Young and Elvis contributed with an RBI each. And the Rangers put away the Yanks for the 2nd straight night to take the series victory, their 6th straight series win.

Let’s hope the Rangers can keep up the good work against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. Big Matt Harrison will be taking the mound against James Shields. Game time is 7:05 pm central. 

T’s Game Notes / Observations:

• The Rangers rocked the blue tops, blue caps, and white pants. I’m more of an all white fan myself, but I’ll take it.
• Derek Jeter led off the game with a single, and then another. He’s on fire.
• Josh Hamilton made a heck of a play in center, sliding on his ass for the catch and then doubling Mark Teixiera off at first.
• The big boy in centerfield caught another home run. Who is this mysterious kid?
• Beltre’s home run was estimated at 441 feet.
• The Rangers have won 6 straight series. Boom!
• Robbie Ross leads the American League in wins.

<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!”

Derek Holland, his mullet, and his mustache took the mound for the Texas Rangers against Jason Vargas and the Seattle Mariners. It was a beautiful Texas day, and Mr. Holland really had his specialty going, as he had no problem giving Jesus and his teammates a few dutch ovens.

Holland would finish the game as the victor, receiving his 1st win on the year. He would also provide 7 1/3 innings of work while punching out 8 batters.

Mike Young and Ian Kinsler provided all the offense for the Rangers and the bullpen came through as Koji Uehara and Mike Adams finished it for the Rangers. What’s that? Mike Adams finished it for the Rangers?

Why yes, yes he did. Nathan needed the day off anyway after breaking our hearts last night with a blown save, loss. So Mike came in to provide Joe with a great example for closing out a game…well, kind of. On to the action…

» Continue reading “Rangers Recap: Even Jesus Can’t Avoid the Dutch Oven!”

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!”