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.

Robbie Ross (LHP), all of 22 years of age, made his major league debut in the 8th and looked damn sexy doing it. While facing the meat of the Sox lineup, Ross walked the first hitter he faced, but then dominated Big Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko, and Alex Rios to end the inning. Very nice work from the rookie wearing a western vest and pink backpack.

Koji Uehara finished the game and thankfully, didn’t give up a bunch of home runs.

BATS

David Murphy, Adrian Beltre, and Josh Hamilton had big home runs for the Rangers. Beltre had his first two hits of the season, a home run and a single off of his knee. What? Yes, for some odd reason he hit’s off of his knees on occasion. Check it out sometime. 

Nelson Cruz also got an RBI, although it was done while hitting into a double play.

T’s OBSERVATIONS/RANDOM GAME NOTES

• Josh Hamilton continues to swing at everything. And I mean, everything. But I’ll take it.
• I hate to give props to the other team, but in the bottom of the 4th, Alex Rios made a hell of a diving catch in right on a shallow ball from Mike Young.
• The announcers brought up the Nelson Cruz World Series moment, and I’m tired of it. It’s only game 3 of the season. I don’t think I’ll get used to it. Stop it m-fers, I’m not going to be able to handle it all season long.
• Ron Washington called Matt Harrison, “strong as an ox”. I love it.
• If Ron Washington shaved his mustache off, he wouldn’t be the same…in my opinion.
• Rookie Robbie Ross is among many things, including a “bullpen mascot”. He wore a country western vest and cowboy hat while he made his way from the clubhouse to the bullpen…on a galloping horse. Yes, that’s right. He rode a horse to the bullpen. Welcome to Texas friends. He was also seen carrying a pink backpack loaded with a rifle. No shit.
• Mike Napoli had the game off for the Rangers and Ian Kinsler provided the DH action while Mike Young manned the 2 bag.
• There’s a reason Josh Hamilton plays center field, and while I’m alright giving him time in right or left, he sure makes some awesome plays. Early in the game, he made a really nice grab where he made a half-dive. He basically just reach for the ball and fell to the ground. But in the top of the 7th with a runner on, Hamilton ran 4 miles to left field and laid out for a beautiful, beautiful catch. It was the type of catch that gets the baseball willie excited. Just trust me on that one.
• With a lead late in the game, superstar manager Ron Washington removed Murphy from the game and brought in Craig Gentry to play centerfield. It allowed him to move Josh to left.
• Robbie Ross’ first major league strikeout was against Paul Konerko. And after the inning, he received fist bumps from Mike Maddux.
• Josh Hamilton was named ESPN’s Cheverolet Player of the Game. Let’s hope he celebrates with milk and cookies.
• I felt like I was in college while eating ramen noodles and watching the Rangers game. The wife was out of town.
• How old is AJ Pierzynski?I guess if he’s playing, he’s at least not in the broadcast booth. What a terrible experience last post season.

THE NEXT GAME ACTION: Yu Darvish makes his Rangers debut in Arlington tomorrow against Ichiro Suzuki and the Seattle Mariners. The action starts at 7:05 central. Darvish will oppose Hector Noesi, someone I’ve never heard of.

*Josh Hamilton and Adrian Beltre photo’s courtesy of Keith Allison.