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Game Report: Rangers 4, Padres 3

Posted on March 5th, 2009 6:32pm by Evan Grant
Filed under Game Recap, Texas Rangers

Ian Kinsler hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning to help the Rangers build a 4-0 lead in Surprise, Ariz., before having to fend off the Padres Thursday. It was the Rangers third consecutive spring win. After allowing 48 runs in their first six exhibitions, the Rangers have allowed three runs in each of their last two wins.

The good: RHP Scott Feldman bounced back from a poor first outing to pitch two perfect innings. Feldman needed just 22 pitches to complete the task. He threw another 25 pitches in the bullpen because the Rangers simply had too many pitchers that needed to pitch.

The bad: RHP Derrick Turnbow walked three batters and hit a fourth. The Rangers ended up issuing eight walks. In each inning the Padres scored, the Rangers aided the rally by allowing a walk. RHP Luis Mendoza allowed two walks in his two innings of work.

The ugly: OF Andruw Jones struck out for the 10th time in his 14 spring at-bats. His timing has been so off that he’s been fooled badly by pitches. Jones will lead off every inning of a controlled “B” game Friday morning and then play all nine innings of the afternoon exhibition against the Royals. The Rangers are trying to get him as many at-bats as possible before March 15 when Jones can opt out of his minor league contract and become a free agent.

14 Comments to “Game Report: Rangers 4, Padres 3”

pblack @ March 5th, 2009 at 6:35 pm

Hey Evan, from what you saw today does Jones have any chance to “find it” in the next ten days? It seems pretty unlikely at this point that he can do enough to justify sticking around, especially if Byrd is available to play.
Evan Grant @ March 5th, 2009 at 6:44 pm

@pblack: Hard for me to judge based on the one at-bat I saw today plus the scouting reports of others, but my gut would tell me that, no, it’s not likely that he suddenly discovers things that have been lost for the last two years. Let’s put it this way: He’s not going to make the team because he’s Andruw Jones; he’s got to prove he still has something left in his bat.
red3biggs @ March 5th, 2009 at 6:47 pm

If Jones doesnt ‘earn’ a roster spot by 3/15, do you think he would choose to defer his opt out?

Who would take him if he did opt out?
fendrman @ March 5th, 2009 at 7:12 pm

Has anyone asked about andruw’s eye sight? Most ball players don’t want to wear glasses, nor admit they can’t see as well when they reach 30ish. It’s hard to believe timing is the only cause for this downward spiral. He would be a giant asset to this team if he gets aback to form. Ask him to read something far off.
fendrman @ March 5th, 2009 at 7:13 pm

Good luck with the blog, and I’m very glad you did this.
Evan Grant @ March 5th, 2009 at 7:16 pm

@red3biggs: Agree with you about the opt out date. If Jones is struggling as badly as he is now, why would he try to go somewhere else. But, on the other hand, it’s possible that by March 15 the Rangers will have seen enough to make their own final decision.
Doug @ March 5th, 2009 at 7:19 pm

Jones was a great idea, see if they could catch magic in a bottle. I was hoping for the best, but if he doesn’t improve, they need to cut him and move on.
Bad eyesight? @ March 5th, 2009 at 7:58 pm

If eyesight is in question, why not get lasiks? At least consider it.
LC @ March 5th, 2009 at 8:55 pm

Evan! So happy to have you on the team!!
ed deatrich @ March 5th, 2009 at 9:02 pm

Congrats looks like a great move for a terrific guy.I wish you only great success.
good lord @ March 5th, 2009 at 9:31 pm

aren’t there enough ****ty rangers’ blogs on the web already without you dropping your own load on the pile?
red3biggs @ March 5th, 2009 at 9:53 pm

RE: good lord

Just imagine if the rangers were a good team with a top 5 revenue…..
good lord @ March 6th, 2009 at 2:44 am

part of me secretly hopes that never happens, lest retards like evan grant live to retire comfortably.
Steven Wollard @ March 6th, 2009 at 6:05 am

welcome back to the Rangers party Evan. Couldn’t be happier to be getting your insights again. Adding hindman to the mix really puts you guys over the top.

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