Angels 7, Rangers 4

Barely a couple of sips into my Farmhouse wit by local brewery Deep Ellum, the omen was set with the very first batter of the game as Mike Trout lead off with a home run. Once the Angels settled in with a 4-1 lead after four innings, it was time watch and rekindle my childhood love with the provocative detective Angela Lansbury and Murder she wrote [now streaming on Netflix.] The Angels have knocked Dempster around since being traded over from the N.L. He’s 0-2 with an 11.20 ERA against them. All other A.L. Teams 7-1, 2.92 ERA.

With the learning today Mike Adams is out indefinitely with a neck strain, it’s even more important that Uehara has been very good this month.

In the month of September. In 11 appearances, Uehara has 8.1 IP, one hit allowed, no walks, no runs, and 14 strikeouts. Uehara has faced 20 straight batters without allowing a baserunner, and has struck out 12 of them.

This recent uptick in performance by Uehara comes at a crucial time with October around the corner. The bullpen usage usually increases in the playoffs, and particularly in the last two years the bullpen plays a large role in the success of a postseason team. Were it not for the work of Uehara and Nathan, the Rangers bullpen would be in a minor state of turmoil. Alexi Ogando has had his struggles in a few September appearances, and beyond that it is a little hit or miss what kind of production is going to be seen from the rest of the bullpen.

» Continue reading “Rangers Lose, Trout Fished In America, I Watched Murder She Wrote”

No seriously, maybe I need to rant more about how the Rangers don’t hit enough with runners in scoring position?

OK, it’s not like they were raking or anything, but 10 hits with 2 home runs is better than no runs at all.  And Ryan Dempster was pretty great until the 7th when he gave up 2 home runs (in an attempt to give up that 3 run lead).  Thankfully, Robbie Ross came in to end the threat.  Matt Adams and Joe Nathan would close things out, reducing the Rangers magic number to 7.

FINAL: Rangers 3, Mariners 2

(Image via Keith Allison.)

Since Ryan Dempster is still up to his Cubs-antics, lost his passport and couldn’t make the trip to Toronto with the team, Rangers fans were forced to suffer through yet another Roy Oswalt start.  Thankfully, we were spared from an atrocious outing…just a slightly-painful-at-times one.

Roy actually looked pretty good at times.  The righty was pretty efficient through the first 2 innings, striking out 3 of the 6 batters he faced.  The third wasn’t as pretty.  After getting Jeff Mathis to ground out to start the inning, Oswalt then walked Gose.  A stolen base and a balk (Oswalt’s 1st of TWO this game), the runner was at 3rd.  A single would score the run and Toronto took the lead.

Thankfully, the Rangers bats made a brief appearance in the 5th.  Beltre would double to start the 5th, and would score on a Nelly BOOMSTICK.  Rangers up, 2-1.

» Continue reading “Texas Rangers: All Ya Need Is A BOOMSTICK”

(Image via Keith Allison.)

Well, at least Josh showed up to play?

It’s hard to get too upset with Scott Feldman, Wednesday’s starter.  Sure he wasn’t spectacular, but sans the 2nd and 3rd innings, he looked pretty sharp.  Besides, if Scooter is only giving up 3 runs (only in the 3rd inning) to the Yankees, that’s not the problem.  His line for the night: 6 innings, 7 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 4 walks, 7 strike outs.  Robbie Ross, Alexi Ogando and Mike Adams combined to pitch 3 scoreless innings to finish out the game.

As for the offense, 4 hits.  Pathetic. Well, you know, except the 2 of those hits that were home runs by Josh Hamilton.  #33 and #34.

FINAL: Rangers 2, Yankees 3

• The game started after an hour and 45 minute rain delay where the Rangers apparently played hide and seek to pass the time (which evidently Michael Young is also bad at…)

• Still no Gentry sightings…
• Nick Swisher: Rangers killer.  8 RBI on the series.

(Image via Keith Allison.)

Rangers 6, Red Sox 3

The starter and the game

Ryan Dempster was much better in his second start for the Rangers. The veteran right-hander attacked hitters, got into a nice consistent rhythm and was efficient. He had one walk and six strikeouts. He gave up three runs in the sixth, but all of them were unearned. It was the exact opposite from his struggles in less than five innings against the Los Angeles Angels last week.

» Continue reading “Texas Rangers: Dempster Pitches Gem Despite Kinsler Error”

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.

I guess Josh has been OK so far… (Image via Keith Allison)

The first half of the 2012 season is in the books for the Texas Rangers, and probably given all of the injuries and prolonged slumps it could have gone a little better. However, they’re sitting atop the AL West with a 4-game lead, and only a half-game off of the best record in baseballs. It really could have gone much, much worse.

Here are some player storylines from the first half:

MVP: Josh Hamilton

This one is really too obvious. I don’t need to explain it. You know Hamilton has been awesome in the first half and is the clear MVP of the team and maybe the AL.

Here are his first half numbers:

• GM79
• HR27
• RBI75
• R54
• OBP.380
• AVG.308

» Continue reading “More Awards You Say? Rangers First Half Awards”

Rangers 7, Athletics 6

The starter 

Scott Feldman was inserted back into the rotation after Colby Lewis was put on the DL earlier this week. He managed to go the minimum five innings, came back out for the sixth, the first two guys got on and was removed. He gave up three solo home runs and four runs overall. He walked one and struck out three.

The pen

Tanner Scheppers pitched 1 1/3 innings giving up two runs on two hits and walked one. Robbie Ross worked 2/3 innings with a clean slate. Mike Adams walked one, struck out two in his one inning of work. Joe Nathan pitched the ninth and his third nightrow walked walking one and giving up a hit. He worked out of a first and third jam with a strike out and ground out to end the end and get his 18th save.

» Continue reading “Feldman Pitches, Rangers Win, Novel Idea”

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″

The starter

Roy Oswalt made his Rangers and season debut tonight, pitching 6.2 innings scattering nine hits walking one, striking out six. They only run he allowed was in the seventh as he gave up a two out triple to Dexter Fowler followed up by a double to Marco Scutaro. Oswalt’s fastball location to both sides of the plate at 90-92, touching 93 was excellent. His off speed stuff he threw as slow as 67 MPH. Oswalt threw 110 pitches and 81 for strikes.

The pen

Robbie Ross pitched one inning and gave up two hits. Mike Adams pitched to two batters and gave up a hit. Joe Nathan earned his 16th save while striking out two. Nathan’s last 16 innings he’s allowed only nine hits, but more impressive 0 runs, 0 walks and 21 strikeouts. Remarkable.

» Continue reading “Wizard Of Oswalt: Rangers 4, Rockies 1″