The Depot: Live Game Blog, News And Notes

Posted on May 23rd, 2009 3:13pm by Evan Grant
Filed under Baseball, Live blogs, Talkin' baseball, Texas Rangers

The Astros just honored Ivan Rodriguez for reaching 300 career home runs, of which exactly one came as a member of the Astros. Rodriguez does have five total homers as an Astro to push him to 304.

Hey, these days, you honor who you can when you can and hope it sells a few more tickets.

3:21: Today marks the first time that both Michael Young and Ian Kinsler were on the active roster and neither one of them was in the starting lineup. Neither one was in the lineup four times late last year, but Kinsler was on the DL at the time.

3:24: Every exciting moment in Rangers’ history. It’s the first-ever instant replay review of a homer. The Rangers appealed on Miguel Tejada’s ball to right field. First base umpire Fieldin Culbreth, who ruled it a homer, has adjourned to a replay booth along with 2B umpire (and crew chief) Gary Cederstrom and 3B umpire Jim Wolf.

3:28: Quick explanation of the process here since home plate umpire Brian O’Nora remains on the field. The crew chief and the two umpires with the best view of the play are dispatched to what we can only imagine is a very luxurious viewing area where they enjoy snacks and refreshments while watching the replay in ultra-slo-mo Hi Def. One umpire must remain on the field of play, we suppose just in case somebody tries to steal all the baseballs.

3:30: The umpires have returned and confirmed the home run call. The Rangers argument, presumably was that a fan interfered by reaching into the field of play and hampering Nelson Cruz’s ability to catch the ball.

3:52: Rangers report updated with discussion of Elvis Andrus’ run of quality at-bats. Also, in the report: A discussion on the state of the cleanup spot.

3:54: Just remembered that the homer Miguel Tejada hit off RHP Scott Feldman in the first inning is the first one he’s allowed as a starter this season after 29 innings in the rotation without one.

4:02: Omar Vizquel singles to start the fourth, which is to be expected since he entered the game 11-for-25 (.440) for his career against RHP Brian Moehler. It was also the 2,672nd hit of Vizquel’s career, inching him to within five of Venezuelan hit king Luis Aparicio. Here’s a trivia question for you: Who is the all-time hit leader from the Dominican Republic?

4:12: Ron Washington talked about his “gut” feeling for moving Nelson Cruz into the cleanup spot today. I believe it was a bit more than a “gut” feeling. And I have a feeling you are going to see a right-handed cleanup hitter, whether its Cruz or Andruw Jones or a combination of the two, regularly once the team gets back to AL schedule.

4:15: This is simply astounding. Blalock has come to the plate 88 times with men on base. He has 10 homers and 24 RBIs this season. That means he’s driven in exactly 14 of the 88 men on base (15.9 percent). Compare that to Cruz, who also has 10 homers and and 29 RBIs. Counting the at-bat that ended in a three-run homer in the top of the fourth, Cruz has had 86 men on base and has driven in 19 of them (22.1 percent). Andruw Jones has driven in eight of 39 men on base (20.5 percent). Bottom line deciphered from all those numbers is Blalock simply isn’t producing in line with a run-producing spot.

4:25: No homer pool winners on the first round; only scooper, justsaying and cory understood my confusing rules and entered for the second round.

4:27: I would give $5 if Nolan Ryan told Chris Rose during his interview on FOX that “Best Damn Sports Show, Period,” is really tired with all the lists and stuff.

4:30: Omar Vizquel singles again off Moehler. He’s now 13-for-28 (.464) against the guy. And four hits behind Aparicio.

4:47: For only the second time this season, the Rangers have back-to-back homers. Nelson Cruz led off the sixth with one and Hank Blalock followed with another. If this was manager Ron Washington’s gut feeling today, he must have a very happy tummy right now.

4:50: Cruz’s stats for the current road trip: 7-for-17 (.412), four homers, eight RBIs, a pair of walks and a pair of stolen bases.

5:18: Scott Feldman’s throwing error puts Hunter Pence at second. Bad play on multiple levels. The throw is best made by Jarrod Saltalamacchia if he’s in position to field the ball – and he was. Second, with a fast runner running, Feldman really has no throw from the angle he’s coming from, so once he did field it, he should have simply held it. Got a five-run lead and a chance to maybe go deeper into a ball game than ever before. No point in giving manager Ron Washington reason to get somebody up.

5:29: Let me propose a question to you as we get ready for the Darren O’the Day appearance: Supposing Vicente Padilla does indeed come back to the starting rotation on June 2 or thereabouts. The Rangers will have to shift somebody out of the rotation. Who do you shift? It obviously won’t be Kevin Millwood or Padilla. Scott Feldman? He’s been money for six innings a start. Derek Holland? I think he’s in the rotation for good. Which brings us to Sunday’s scheduled starter: Brandon McCarthy. Even though McCarthy has gone seven innings in each of his last two starts, I wonder if he might not make a good compliment for O’Day in the seventh or eighth innings. He did a very solid job in a role like that for Chicago in 2006. And it might just fill what is becoming a need for the Rangers. They need another middle/setup man to go along with O’Day. Because at this rate, O’Day is liable to get burnt out by the All-Star break.

I’m not much in favor of giving up on McCarthy as a starter, particularly at a point when he is healthy and showing some ability to battle through on-the-mound adversity. But you are now talking about a first-place team that has to consider how it might best win as many games as possible this season. Finding a reliab le middle or setup reliever is something GMs search high and low for at the trading deadline. If the Rangers have a capable option sitting on their own roster, they might owe it to themselves to consider that in-house option. Just a thought.

5:41: It is hard not to feel for Chris Davis right now. Just completely lost. Batting average down to .203 thanks to an 0-for-22 stretch that hit just at the point it looked like he was coming out of a season-long funk. His defense is so good, I’d hate to take him out of the lineup, but you have to consider if letting him play through whatever he’s dealing with is going to do more long-term damage than good.

5:46: Another question for you. If Rangers take a 6-3 lead to bottom of ninth and it is a save situation do you start the inning with Frank Francisco? Or do you only bring him in if the trouble starts to brew?

5:52: You could, of course, render the above question somewhat less significant by scoring a few runs in the ninth.

5:57: C.J. Wilson is the new pitcher. He has a huge opportunity in front of him. He can vault himself back into prominence in the bullpen with a quick inning that doesn’t force the Rangers to get somebody else up, especially since its clear the club would prefer to steer clear of Francisco.

6:00: Gulp. Even great play and throw by Elvis Andrus can’t stop leadoff hitter from reaching base.

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116 Comments to “The Depot: Live Game Blog, News And Notes”
  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:14 pm

    Hey, Evan! Do we put our 2nd HR pool entry on the other post or on this one?

  • sean @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:18 pm

    I thought the game was supposed to be on national TV. It isn’t even on regionally. I live in Lawrence, Ks for the rest of 2009. Lawrence is about 45 minutes west of KC and right at 500 miles from DFW and they are showing Yankees and Phillies game. I guess it was national until Yankees won 9 out of 10 and play the phillies. I was excited to watch the game on TV because DISH Network here doesn’t have an MLB package and I don’t like watching baseball on internet. Oh well, I woke up excited to see the game but guess I will have to wait until they play Royals again. I am taking to my family to two of the three ZRanger Royals games this year when they play later in Summer.

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    what’s the rule if a fan hits it? i swear, folks in the outfield have no class. =)

  • Mike in Reno @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:21 pm

    @sean–got Phils/Yanks here as well. It’s a bummer.

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:24 pm

    @becca: if the fan was reaching over the field of play, it would be fan interference. If they touch it in the stands and the ball comes back into the field of play, it is still a HR. I don’t think the fan touched it, but the fan w/ the hat did interfere w/ Cruz.

  • James @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:25 pm

    Who does Eric Karros have pictures of? Good God, he is bad…

  • B-A-S @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    I mis TAG. This is not a good beginning to baseball review, it really should not take this long. Rangers should get the call

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:27 pm

    i don’t understand why TAG doesn’t do fox national broadcasts. and i enjoyed mark grace better than eric.

  • B-A-S @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:27 pm

    After all of that review how is it possible to get the call wrong?

  • Dr Pepper presents Batface McGee @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:28 pm

    I dont understand why they took so long to call it a HR. You would think that with all that time, they would rule it a double.

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:30 pm

    TAG doesn’t do these broadcasts because he does not work for FOX sports. He is a Rangers employee. Josh is a Rangers employee on Texas broadcasts, but he also works for FOX sports. Josh will miss a lot of Friday night and Saturday games because he will be announcing on FOX on Saturdays. The only reason he has done these last 2 Saturday Rangers telecasts is because they are being shown on FOX.

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:31 pm

    i noticed that the ump left on the field was eyeballing wash. i bet he was worried he would lead the rangers to not only steal the baseballs, but steal the bases too. rascals.

  • James @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:34 pm

    Can someone introduce the idea of going the other way with a pitch to Blalock?

  • AJM @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:36 pm

    James — What makes it so sad is that Blalock was a terrific spray hitter when he first came up. I don’t know what happened to him.

  • Jeffrey @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:37 pm

    it seems that the “heart” of our line-up is in a little slump right now. Hamilton’s swing looks a little slow since missing 3 games, Nellie was kind of in a slump until his homer last night, and Blalock and Davis are both hitting below .235

    at least they decided to slump against the Astros…

  • Jeffrey @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:40 pm

    but I will say this about Davis – his defense has been very above-average this year. if he can become more patient and consistent at the plate, he could be an All-Star

  • mr.clean @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:41 pm

    I had to go to Juneau, Alaska this weekend for a cleaning convention. We are getting Yankees-Phils here as well.

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:46 pm

    evan, did they let you sit in the train too?

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:58 pm

    watch the veteran do it…take a long at bat and get a quality hit! i love what omar brings to the team.

  • Jeffrey @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:58 pm

    a basehit!

  • Jeffrey @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    RISP…good time for the heart of the order to wake up

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    gone!

  • Jeffrey @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    thank you, Mr. Cruz

  • Dr Pepper presents Batface McGee @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    HELL YEAH! So glad to see him get his swing back. GREAT ab.

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:05 pm

    @evan: julio franco?

  • sean @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 3:27 pm

    i don’t understand why TAG doesn’t do fox national broadcasts. and i enjoyed mark grace better than eric.

    Its not a National broadcast. Maybe it was supposed to be but Yanks Phills game took over.

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:07 pm

    @sean, sorry. i forget my tv doesn’t show what the rest of the county sees.

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:16 pm

    when did berkman start being called the puma? i prefer fat elvis.

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:18 pm

    @becca: the story I heard is that he gave that nickname to himself. he apparently didn’t like his other nicknames.

  • AJM @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:22 pm
  • sean @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:24 pm

    since rangers are not on TV, at least I got to see John Mayberry Jr’s 1st MLB homerun. It was just now in the 5th inning off a high pitch from Andy Petite to break up a 1-1 tie at Yankee stadium. It was funny because,Manager Manuel and Jimmy Rollins gave him the silent treatment when he got back to dugout. They also showed a shot of his dad reacting to his first homer. There is another father son duo with homers in Majors.

  • Jeffrey @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    @evan, Eric Nadel just gave you and insidecorner.dmagazine.com a nice shout-out on KRLD

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:28 pm

    i hate vizqueal was out, but at least the bats woke up today!

  • BigTexx @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:30 pm

    Yea, I am here because Nadel mentioned it.

  • JustSaying @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    @evan MLB is losing out on these national broadcast changes……this happened a couple of weks back where the Rangers got dropped and the rest of the country missed the braodcast……two so close together says somebody in mlb needs to get these reaccurring blips fixed

  • Evan Grant @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    @Just saying: Not sure why the Rangers game was dumped nationally. Wasn’t it always the backup game to Yanks-Phils?

  • Jack Daddy @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:38 pm

    Evan,

    How far away are we from Wash giving the take sign to Davis, Blalock and Hamilton on the first pitch? I’ve been really hammering home to my little one (the famous Jack) the difference in a hitters count and a pitchers count and how predictive of the outcome it is. It’s amazing how true to form it follows this team. When our knuckleheads will work the count, success almost always follows. It is so frustrating to watch.

    BTW, Wash looks like a genius for batting Cruz fourth.

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:38 pm

    @evan: on everything I saw, it was always listed 3rd, so I assumed it was going to be seen regionally.

  • Jack Daddy @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:39 pm

    jeez, mayberry jr just homered. Come on JD bashers, let’s hear it. I know you can’t contain yourself – wait, that’s the DMN blog.

  • JustSaying @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:43 pm

    @evan But MLB doesn’t have a solution for its’ package fans when a national broadcast is cancelled…..they need the braodcast to be made available in some way?

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:43 pm

    cruz got 2!

  • AJM @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    Hey Evan — Can you tell your buddy Josh Lewin to stop saying that Nelson Cruz was released last spring? He wasn’t released, he was put on waivers for the purpose of sending him to the minors.

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    blalock’s such a copy cat

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    do you wanna bet cruz and blalock are 4-5 for awhile?

  • Jeffrey @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    @Evan, you’re really gonna kill Blalock now. Or maybe you’re happy because he just validated your point about him being good with no one on base but below-average w/RISP

  • Jack Daddy @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    Evan,

    One more for you: I really just assume Holland would get the 2 starts, but when you start to dig through the qoutes, I’m not so sure. After today, I’m convinced they won’t (and can’t) yank Feldman out (even though I think he would be terrific as the 7th/8th guy). Are we looking at McCarthy being moved to pen (which is nuts, given he JUST now gave us back to back 7 inn efforts)?

    Is is conceivable that we could move Padilla for a set up guy? I know Philly is in the starter market and VP has the history there.

    What a good problem to have, which keeps bringing me back to Holland going back to pen.

    Wow – Nellie’s on fire.

  • JustSaying @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    we start talking cruz-blalock for Sanchez and our guys start hitting HRs….i like this tough love motivation

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    @AJM: he was on waivers and any other team could have claimed him. we only got to retain his rights because NO ONE CLAIMED HIM.

  • James @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:49 pm

    @scooper: Which is not the same thing as being released. He was designated for assignment.

  • Evan Grant @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:54 pm

    @Jack Daddy: Think we are closer to a Davis benching or demotion than him being given the take sign.

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:54 pm

    @James: Josh’s point is that every team had a chance to get Cruz last year and no one claimed him.

  • AJM @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:55 pm

    I AM AWARE OF THAT. But being put on waivers is not the same thing as being released. They are very different.

  • tbone @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:56 pm

    Chris Davis needs to be in OKC.

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:57 pm

    @AJM: Oh! I’m glad to see we are arguing about the technicalities of what he said, rather than his main point. Thanks for educating me.

  • Evan Grant @ May 23rd, 2009 at 4:57 pm

    @Jeffrey: Don’t want to “kill” anyone. Bottom line is Blalock has not been productive as a cleanup hitter. This isn’t the first chance he’s had in the role. I think he’s changed his approach since he first got to the big leagues and was a dangerous line drive hitter, but I think he changes it even more when he moves into the cleanup spot. Think it’s time for someone else to get a shot.

  • Evan Grant @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    @scooper, AJM: Let me see if I can settle this. I’m pretty sure that had Cruz been released, he would not have re-signed with the Rangers. When he was DFA’d last spring, he told me he was ready for a chance elsewhere. The Rangers were fortunate because when they placed him on waivers right before the start of the season, other clubs either didn’t have available space on the roster or weren’t willing to create space for him. This is one case where others’ loss is Rangers’ gain.

  • Jeffrey @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:04 pm

    another solid outing from Feldman…and he’s only at 81 pitches, he looks like he could go 8 if we keeps his command

  • ernie @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:05 pm

    jack daddy…how can you trade padilla when you are in first place?

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:07 pm

    @evan: let me see if I have this straight. last spring, Cruz was designated for assignment. i believe that happened because he was out of options, but they wanted to send him to OKC. in order to DFA someone, they are placed on waivers. every other team has a chance to claim that player and the Rangers would lose him. when no one claimed him, they were able to assign him to OKC. is this correct?

  • JustSaying @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:08 pm

    it is the timing of cruz designation for assignment that makes it work…..when everyone is trying to cut rosters down……

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:08 pm

    Had to do some bat testing this morning so I am late but I am here.

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:09 pm

    @justsaying: i never said the Rangers were dumb.

  • JustSaying @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:10 pm

    I’m sure you’ll all want to shoot me but I think DH could use more bullpen time “at the moment” Who in the rotation is doing so bad to move out now? Well we really don’t have to answer that until after Padilla’s rehab start……

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:11 pm

    Sometimes a team gets lucky, if any other team had claimed cruz last year the rangers would have let him go and not thought twice about it.
    This year the mets try to DFA o”day and sneak him thru and the rangers claim him.
    Both moves worked out great, you win some you lose some.

  • Evan Grant @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    @JustSaying: You are exactly correct. That was the gamble. The Rangers preferred to keep Cruz, if possible, but were prepared to lose him.

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:14 pm

    just, if McCarthy has a good start next time around I would be for letting holland go back to the pen for a month or so and let one of the pitchers raise his trade value.
    If no big trade than you have your starter in case of injury.

  • Jeffrey @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    TV says Feldman is still hitting 91-93 mph…that’s a good sign.

    But that error was not good

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    What kind of throw was that?

  • Jeffrey @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    looks like Feldman will be done after this inning (if he gets through this inning)

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:20 pm

    I believe McCarthy and Feldman are the same kind of pitcher, they have to have a set routine, which starting gives them.
    If you put them in the pen they are just not effective bat as starters they are pretty good.
    That means unless there is a trade or injury holland is the odd man out for now.

  • CJ Love @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:20 pm

    Trying to listen to the game radio because of crappy fox blackouts, and all I hear is the stupid people in the stands trying to start the stupid wave. It is the most annoying thing on the radio today.

  • Jeffrey @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:21 pm

    @CJ completely agree

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:22 pm

    feldman still looks good. coming back to strike out the next batter after a homer is huge. last year the pitchers seemed to just lose total control after they got rocked.

  • Ranger Mike @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:23 pm

    FYI, John Mayberry, former 1st round Ranger draft pick had a nice debut today for the Phillies. Recall he was traded for Greg Golson. 2-3 with a HR and 3 ribs so far…

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:24 pm

    Very good game for feldman.

  • JustSaying @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:27 pm

    I wish Mayberry well as I don’t get too out of wack when a former Ranger hitter does something…it is the former pitchers who kill me….

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:29 pm

    come on guys, lets get this last out.

  • sean @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:30 pm

    on tv they said they just brought up Mayberry for the interleague series. They said they are set in the outfield and Mayberry would more than likely go back to minors regardless how he plays. Said he would probably be brought back up when the play another AL team. Hopefully they show the end of Ranger game after the Yanks =Phils end.

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:31 pm

    isn’t it fun when your bullpen doesn’t completely make you nervous when they come out? well, at least most of them…

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:32 pm

    Josh better watch out! He sounded more like the Rangers announcer than a FOX announcer on that KO.

  • sean @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:35 pm

    not a big deal, probably just being shown in the Fox SPorts Southwest zone.

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:37 pm

    Nice game from hank.

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:37 pm

    @evan: I’m with you! I think Holland is in the rotation to stay. Feldman is doing great in the rotation and he was lousy in the bullpen. I think McCarthy is the odd man out and he might be pretty good in the ‘pen.

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:37 pm

    blalock got a basehit? i didn’t know he remembered how to do that.

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:38 pm

    Davis is just lost at the plate. I hate to lose his defense but he has to go to AAA and work on his swing.

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:40 pm

    Scooper, the reason the sox traded McCarthy was he was not very good in the pen, you want to put him back in that position?

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:41 pm

    @obgain: rather than Holland? Yes. And they traded McCarthy because they could get Danks.

  • J. Blake @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:41 pm

    My sentiments exactly on the rotation situation Evan. The move would also put them in a position to move a starter for a stronger bullpen option, if Holland steps up and Harrison remains consistent, and move McCarthy back from the pen. My only concern is McCarthy giving up big homeruns in critical situations.

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:42 pm

    BENSON?!? warming up? why is he still on the team?

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:43 pm

    If we put him in the pen and he stinks what do you do with him then?
    The BP already has some guys that are scary when they come in the game and you want to add to that?
    He will have almost no trade value if he goes to the pen and stinks.

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:45 pm

    If you are looking at trade value, then that says he is not a part of your future. One more reason to leave Holland (the future) in the rotation and move McCarthy to the ‘pen.

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    all this debate about who to move to the bullpen is fun. and still feels awkward. we’re the rangers. we’re not supposed to have problems with having too many good pitchers. it’s like wearing stiff new shoes. have to get used to the fit. but blisters are fun when the shoes are shiny!

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:47 pm

    Holland and feliz are the future, who goes when feliz is ready?
    1-2 guys will have to be moved, I want to get max value when that happens.

  • Jeffrey @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:47 pm

    My only problem with sending McCarthy to the pen is the fact that he is giving up a lot of homers this year. When you pitch 7 innings, 1 or 2 homers don’t necessarily spell certain doom. But when you’re called on to pitch an inning at a time, you can’t give up home runs

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:51 pm

    @evan: it’s a save situation – bring in your closer, but make him “not available” for tomorrow and stick to it.
    @obagain: I like bringing up Feliz before long and leaving him in the bullpen for the rest of the year. we can worry about the starting rotation next year when we see if they pick up Padilla’s option.

  • Jeffrey @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:56 pm

    uh-oh…CJ

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:56 pm

    I was wrong! We get C.J. instead!

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:57 pm

    @jeffrey: i know. i get that uncomfortable feeling again.

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:57 pm

    @evan: you are right. what happens with him if we see his typical drama?

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:58 pm

    CJ will get the job done.

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:59 pm

    @obagain: before or after he gives us all heart attacks?

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:59 pm

    Strange seeing hank at third again.

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:59 pm

    He will put runners on but none score.

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 5:59 pm

    @obagain: speaking of trade value …

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    I say ground out to short.

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    I’d like to see him end it right here.

  • becca @ May 23rd, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    wahoo!

  • scooper @ May 23rd, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    Whew!

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    Dang, I was close.

  • obagain @ May 23rd, 2009 at 6:01 pm

    Very good game all the way around.

  • Jeffrey @ May 23rd, 2009 at 6:03 pm

    solid outing from Feldman, good hitting from (mostly) everyone, solid D…feels good to be a Rangers fan, as long as they’re not playing the tiggers

  • rob m @ May 23rd, 2009 at 6:25 pm

    I think Holland goes back to the pen when Padilla comes of the DL.

  • gordosgang @ May 23rd, 2009 at 7:38 pm

    I will be very surprised if Holland doesn’t head back to the pen. Moving McCarthy makes no sense. Return to the rotation that was working and use Holland in long relief, where he has shown that he is effective. He will be the sixth man spot starter or move into the rotation when someone goes down. He will move into the full-time rotation next year after Padilla leaves.

    Feliz will be up in Arlington throwing long relief if he puts up another couple of outings similar to the two he has had since returning from the DL.

  • tomckil @ May 23rd, 2009 at 7:44 pm

    Evan, there’s no way the Rangers (Ryan, Maddux, Washington) are going to replace BMac while he’s doing 7 and 4 each time, with a rookie. It’s not consistent with their thinking as to how the game should be played. If everyone is still pitching well when VP comes off the DL, Holland will go back to the pen and wait his turn.

  • Mike @ May 23rd, 2009 at 8:22 pm

    As an aside, Visquel’s “hat trick” was genius. The bill of his cap could have obstructed his view of the ball.

  • Mike @ May 23rd, 2009 at 8:30 pm

    I hate misspellings, esp. when they are mine. Of course I meant Vizquel.

    Did I mispell misspellings?