(Image via flickr.com user Rich Anderson.)

My fire Ron Washington website was going to be up soon but with the Indians hiring Terry Francona over the weekend, it looks like that’s going to have to wait a little while.

But regardless many changes are going to be blowing in the Rangers camp this offseason between free agents, trades, released and maybe possible coaching and manager changes. Many players and coaches you may have seen the last of in a Rangers uniform.

“NO SERIOUSLY, RON WASHINGTON WOULD LIKE HIS PANTS BACK, YOU GUYS.” – Jay Jaffe [Sports Illustrated] via Twitter

This has been a terrific run from 2009-2012 for this group. The last four years have been fantastic for Rangers fans. Did fatigue play a part? Did Washington play his regulars too much? Did the front office not give the coaching staff a good enough bench to give the regulars time off? A quick look at what I think fatigue played a huge role:

Let’s look at the core players for example. Here are their games played in 2012 and the games they didn’t play in the final months of the season. Players will tell you they get off days [but only four the last ten weeks] on the schedule and they want to be out there every day and they played in two straight full Octobers. Here’s a look:

» Continue reading “GASSED And Look For A Very Busy Rangers Offseason”

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 flickr.com user mikelachance816)

Mariners 6, Rangers 3

The Starter

Martin Perez took Scott Feldman’s start this time through the rotation. Perez went only four innings, allowing six hits, giving up four runs [three earned], two walks and three strike outs. Funny that Scott Feldman relieved Perez going three innings and allowing only one hit, while striking out five. Alexi Ogando pitched the eighth inning, giving up a two out home run to of all people Miguel Olivio and striking out two. Rangers still have to wonder if that forearm stiffness is bothering him. Ogando has given up eight home runs in 60 innings. The staff as a whole combined for two walks and ten strikeouts.

» Continue reading “No Beltre, No Hamilton, Rangers Offense Dives Into Puget Sound”

Oh boys…You have officially made me nervous. The A’s refuse to lose…and we can’t beat the Mariners? This is seriously going to be extremely interesting over the next couple of weeks.

The Rangers play the A’s in 7 of their last 17 games…We need to put some distance between us. Hey just couldn’t pull it out tonight. Feldman had a rough start and gave up a run in the top of the first and 5 runs in the third. Whoops.

The Rangers mounted a comeback however and tied it up but just couldn’t hang on. Justin Smoak smoked one in the 8th inning and then added another RBI in the 9th to stifle his old team.

The good news? Mike Napoli was back tonight in full uniform. Not only was he back…he smacked a three run homerun in the comeback. Welcome back Napoli! You’ve been missed!

What I can say… We better not lose the playoff spot to the A’s. I refuse to let that happen. Suck it up boys. Let’s get this done.

FINAL: Rangers 6, Mariners 8

(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

The Texas Rangers were defeated by the lowly Cleveland Indians by a score of 4 to 3. The tribesman came into the game with a 6 game losing streak, but no longer. It’s not really how I imagined the Rangers starting off September, and certainly, my sister Jillian did not expect this as a birthday present from them.

Let me be completely honest…it was really tough to pay attention to the entire game. It is the first college football Saturday of the year, and it’s also dove season, so maybe I didn’t even get to watch it all. But I followed it on my phone and I watched enough of it.

Scott Feldman started slow allowing 4 runs in the 1st and the Rangers were never able to catch up. David Murphy and Adrian Beltre did their best by each hitting home runs, but it just wasn’t enough.

The thing I was looking for the most was seeing Jurickson Profar play shortstop, however, he just played around on the bench. Even though Elvis Andrus was slotted as the DH, Ronnie gave the shortstop start to Mike Young. Huh? Yeah…I’m not sure about that one either.

The Rangers and Indians play again tomorrow at 12:05. Derek Holland will take the ball to start.

(Image via Keith Allison.)

The finale of the 4 game series against the Minnesota Twins got underway after a 1 hour and 26 minute rain delay.  Rangers’ starter, Scott Feldman, wasn’t helped much by the defense which put up 2 errors in the 3rd, allowing the Twins to go up 3-2.  Feldman would pitch 5 2/3 innings, gave up 10 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), walked 1 and struck out 4.

Heading into the bottom of the 6th and the Rangers down 6-2, Josh Hamilton did his best to get a comeback going by swatting a home run that would make things 6-4.  A Nelson Cruz BOOMSTICK would get the Rangers a run closer.  Unfortunately, the Rangers couldn’t mount another comeback, failing to complete the sweep of the Twins.

FINAL: Rangers 5, Twins 6

Game Notes:

• Craig Gentry and Ian Kinsler collided on a play that ended the top of the 5th.  Gentry was down for a bit, but remained in the game.  Good thing too, as he saved a potential 2-run home run with a crazy awesome catch in the 9th.  Kitten Face has some ups!
• Josh’s home run in the 6th was his 35th of the year which leads the AL.  He had 4 RBI for the day.  His 111 RBI for the year tops all of baseball.
• Today is Elvis Andrus’ birthday, who didn’t start, but did pinch hit in the 7th and took over at short stop for the remainder of the game.
• The Rangers now have 3 players with 20 or more home runs.  They are Hamilton, Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz.
• Koji Uehara made his first relief appearance for the Rangers since June 9.  Uehara gave up 1 hit in 1 inning of work.

(Image via Keith Allison.)

With the game tied, 1-1 heading into the 5th, it looked like Scott Feldman had a pretty good shot at getting his 7th win of the season.  Unfortunately, with 1 out, things began to unravel.

A triple (on a play that probably could have been made by Gentry if Gentry ever played…) to center field would give the Orioles a 2-1 lead with only 1 out.  The O’s would go on to score 3 more runs that inning on a double and a 2-run home run.  Feldman, who was actually pretty solid until seeing the O’s the 3rd time through, lasted 5 innings, giving up 5 runs (4 earned), striking out 4 and walking only 1.

The Rangers mounted a glimmer of a comeback in the 7th, on a Geovany Soto 2-run home run, but it wouldn’t be enough.

Hopefully, the boys can bounce back in today’s rubber match between Derek Holland and former Rangers Tommy Hunter.  Game starts at 7:05pm CT.

FINAL: Rangers 3, Orioles 5

(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.

Boys, boys, boys. Where do I start? After a day off I would think you would be nice and relaxed, right? Apparently I was way off on that.

After the road trip and a day off the Rangers were back in Arlington to take on the Detroit Tigers, Max Scherzer and his freaky ass eyes. Seriously guys, those things really freak me out. Please stop trying to stare into my soul Max. It scares me.

Scott Feldman was looking to go for another win after a stellar last couple of outings. He looked pretty good, not stellar, but good…He was keeping his pitches down, getting out of jams and was getting some back up from the offense.

It wouldn’t last long. Even though the Rangers put up 1 in the first on a Hamilton bomb to center and another in the third on an Andrus single, the Rangers just couldn’t keep it up. In the 6th inning Scotty was starting to look a little tired and gave up a massive 3 run homer to Prince Fielder.

Mini Rant: I still really do NOT like Prince Fielder and I’m really glad he didn’t come to Texas. I did a post about this before the season started…I’m under the impression that if he can’t clear the ball out of the park then he’s not worth a damn. The dude is S…L…O…W… And it kinda looks like someone did a drive by with a squirt bottle of bleach. I’m just saying.

In the 7th Austin Jackson hit a blooper to right, Nelly dove, Nelly missed and Jackson ended up with an inside the park homerun. Whoops. Then two plays later Nelly went to catch a pop fly and it completely popped out of his glove. Double whoops. Not exactly Nelly’s night. (He left the game in the top of the 8th with some sort of injury…Let’s hope he’s ok.)

After the third inning it looked the Rangers offense just gave up. They would get guys on and then strikeout three in a row. Let’s go back to the basics. Hit while we have men on base. I can give you the strikeouts but let’s not do it with the bases loaded. Ok?

Tomorrow Holland takes on Verlander. Oh boy. Bring the bats tomorrow boys. We’re gonna need some backup.

FINAL: Rangers 2, Tigers 6