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About Last Night: A Brain Full Of Thoughts On Rangers-Astros Game

Posted on June 18th, 2009 11:50am by Evan Grant
Filed under Baseball, Game Recap, Talkin' baseball, Texas Rangers

I’ve spent the last 12 hours chewing on the Rangers’ 5-4 win over the Astros last night, fully intending to write some comprehensive, flowing account of the game. It’s just not in me. Perhaps that’s because my brain is full of so many snippets from the game, that I’ve just got to spit them out in little bits and chunks (now that’s a fine image to conjure up).

In short, I think the Rangers got very fortunate. The win, I think summarizes, why Ron Washington has job security for next yeart. It’s because his team constantly plays hard for him and, ultimately, that is more important than a manager’s ability to move pieces around. Because in my mind, Washington went 1-for-2 on managerial moves Wednesday. He used his bullpen just as it should be – even if he didn’t get the results he wanted in the eighth inning. But the handling of the bottom of the ninth is an area that must be improved. We are now talking about the Rangers as serious pennant contenders. And they will face the same situations they faced in the ninth in the playoff race later this year or, if they are so fortunate, in the playoffs. The players must improve their execution. And Washington must improve his decision making.

And with that, away we go:

The Ninth Inning

I still can’t get my arms around the way the ninth inning unfolded and Washington’s reasoning behind it. Marlon Byrd led off a tie game with a double. The Rangers, a major league team, needed to advance a runner two bases to win a major league game. That was the sole objective. They could not do it. After Byrd’s double, Chris Davis flied out to left, Jarrod Saltalamacchia struck out and Andruw Jones, pinch-hitting for Omar Vizquel, also struck out.

Lot of questions here.

• Why not hit for Chris Davis? With Byrd on second, what the Rangers needed most was to advance him to third. Easiest ways to do that were with a bunt or a ground ball to the right side. Davis was a poor choice to ask to accomplish either. In four professional seasons, Davis does not have a sacrifice hit (which, in my opinion is a failing of the organization; everybody who comes through the system should be asked to bunt in the minors because they may need to do it in a big game in the majors at some point). So, asking him to bunt was probably not even in the equation. And asking him to hit at all? A low percentage play. Davis has either struck out or hit fly balls in 69 percent of his at-bats this season. On the other hand, Elvis Andrus, who was sitting on the bench, has hit the ball on the ground 65 percent of the time this season and has four sacrifice hits. Yeah, I know he didn’t get a squeeze bunt down last week, but he’s a far better situational-hitting option than Davis at this point.

I asked Washington whether he considered pinch-hitting for Davis or using the bunt. His answer: “No. I thought Chris would get it done. What we really needed was for him to pull a ball. We didn’t need anything fancy; we just needed him to pull the ball.”

Asking him to do that was going against the percentages, heavily against the percentages.

• Why pinch hit for Omar Vizquel? After Jarrod Saltalamacchia made the second out by striking out for the third time in a row, Washington called back Vizquel and sent up Andruw Jones to face Jose Valverde. In my mind, if the Rangers were going to pinch hit Jones, it would have been for Saltalamacchia after Andrus had bunted him to third. Jones had a much better chance of getting a fly ball than Saltalamacchia did. But after there were two outs, why go to Jones at all.

Vizquel was already in the game. He was already 1-for-3 and had made contact in each at-bat. He’s hitting .323 to Jones’ .246.

Washington’s reasoning: “I was looking for a base hit. Andruw has faced Valverde before and his numbers were pretty good against him, so we shot him up there.”

Here is where things get really sticky because the reasoning just doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. Jones was indeed 2-for-4 against Valverde, but Vizquel had seen him more times than any other player on the roster (nine plate appearances). He was 3-for-8 with a sacrifice bunt.

In short, the bottom of the ninth was a mess. This is one of those rare cases where managerial moves can win or lose a game for a team. Against a better team, the ninth-inning moves might have cost this team its best chance to win. The good news: David Murphy lashed a single past third in the 10th to win the game.

And the outfielder-turned-philosopher had some pretty good thoughts about the therapeutic powers of a walk-off win.

“It’s the best moment in baseball,” he said. “The team gets to celebrate on the field. It brings everybody a little closer together. And it gives you a little momentum going into the next day.”

The win made Washington’s moves curious, but not deadly. But the manager can’t allow himself to get too wrapped up in the dramatic win. Washington is a good manager who is getting better all the time, but his biggest weakness appears to be late-game strategy. It’s important for him to learn from the ninth on Wednesday.

But the ninth wasn’t the only thing to rant/rave about in the game

Other thoughts

• You can question Washington – as I just did – for the ninth, but his handling of the bullpen was picture perfect. To get to the end of the game, he had these choices: Use Jason Grilli for a second inning or get Eddie Guardado into the mix. Washington chose the latter after Grilli pitched a shaky, but scoreless sixth. He went to RHP Darren O’Day an inning earlier to face the Astros’ top right-handed hitters. O’Day got Miguel Tejada to bounce into a sharp 5-4-3 double play keyed by a great turn at second by Ian Kinsler. Then Carlos Lee struck out. Great inning.

Without Frank Francisco, it required Guardado to pitch the eighth. He got three routine ground balls around a jet-stream-aided game-tying home run from Hunter Pence. Couldn’t afford a fly ball to right there, but the jet stream effect was more pronounced on Wednesday than usual. I have no problem with the way the bullpen was deployed. It was good O’Day wasn’t abused and asked to pitch a second inning after a 21-pitch seventh. C.J. Wilson did go two innings, but needed just 29 pitches to work through them.

• Ian Kinsler made a great turn on the big double play in the sixth, taking a feed from Michael Young and turning it quickly with a powerful throw to first base even though Jeff Keppinger was bearing down on him. I give all three infielders involved in the play a lot of credit. Young took a big hop off the newly installed turf and made a quick pivot and throw to second. Chris Davis’ patented stretch made sure Miguel Tejada did not beat out the relay.

• Yes, maybe I’ve been critical of Washington’s moves in the ninth, but once the moves are made or not made and the batter steps into the box, it’s all on the batter. Chris Davis did not get the job done and neither did Saltalamacchia. And they weren’t the only ones. David Murphy failed to get down a bunt when he was asked to do so in the sixth and maybe that failed bunt attempt had Washington frustrated wiuth his team’s ability to bunt when the ninth rolled around.

• The Astros are a bad team getting worse. They gave the Rangers a run in the first when Jason Michaels lost Ian Kinsler’s routine fly in the sun, then Ivan Rodriguez made perhaps the worst throw of his storied career when Kinsler tried to steal third. The ball was a good 10 feet above 3B Jeff Keppinger’s head. Michael’s fielded the ball as Kinsler ran home and threw the ball to the backstop – on the fly. And the Rangers’ 10th-inning rally started with Keppinger misplaying Kinsler’s grounder for the team’s third error of the game. Awful.

• I do not like Carlos Lee as a player one bit. Didn’t care for him during his two months with the Rangers when he showed no real desire to run out balls or chase them down in left field. And last night he might have cost the Astros a win when he jogged to first after hitting a sharp grounder to short to start the 10th. Elvis Andrus dropped the ball and still had time to find and fire to first to get Lee pretty easily. Lazy.

• Don’t know if you noticed this or not, but it seems like everyday the Angels lose another player and win another game. They’ve now won six in a row.

• I would have considered bunting with Hank Blalock in the bottom of the eighth after Michael Young led off with a single. Hey, the Dodgers did it with their third place hitter on Saturday night. You know Blalock doesn’t have a sac bunt since his rookie season of 2002 when Jerry Narron had him do it twice.

41 Comments to “About Last Night: A Brain Full Of Thoughts On Rangers-Astros Game”

Jed E. @ June 18th, 2009 at 11:57 am

Two problems I see are that I no longer trust EE to be effective. He should probably not be in a game where the margin is less than 4 runs. As for Grilli, I can’t get it out of my head that the ROCKIES didn’t want him.
walrus @ June 18th, 2009 at 11:59 am

My only disagreement with you would be when Wash used Jennings the night before with a 5 run lead. Guardado has given up a run in 5 of his last 6 appearances, according to Josh. He should have pitched with the 5 run lead, not the 1 run lead. Had that happened Jennings would have been available last night.
Da Blade @ June 18th, 2009 at 12:00 pm

I know they’re trying to give Chris Davis some confidence, but I believe that unless you have a true murderers’ row line-up, the bottom third of the order is open to pinch-hitting late in the game. Davis is a bottom-third guy right now.
Tom B @ June 18th, 2009 at 12:13 pm

That pretty much settles it for me. If Evan says it is wrong then I am more inclined to go with Wash or None of the above. The old saying; “i’d rather be lucky than good.” When it works in ones favor just don’t look the gift horse in the mouth. 1 out of 162, you count’m and I’ll weigh them at the end of the year. The Rangers play .500 baseball the rest of the way and they will have hit what would have been considered a pretty good season three months ago; 87-88 wins. Anything over is gravy.
ernie @ June 18th, 2009 at 12:19 pm

Evan,
I think your points are very well taken. I also think Walrus’ point about using jennings in the five run game is a good one. Eddie had given up runs in 3 straight outings. I imagine Wash didn’t want Eddie to screw up the five run lead, but better there then in a tie game. When Frankie comes back, even as a 6th or 7th inning guy at first, it all looks a lot better out there.
Chris @ June 18th, 2009 at 12:22 pm

im not trying to stick up for Carlos Lee but he is playing through a bad hamstring. so calm down there a little bit.
Jeffrey @ June 18th, 2009 at 12:30 pm

Sorry if this question/comment is repetitive of earlier discussions, but I’ve been out of contact with the baseball world for the better part of 2 weeks: did the Rangers get new turf on the infield? Watching the games on tv, I said something to my wife about the grass looking different. Just my eyes, or is it true?
Auditor @ June 18th, 2009 at 12:34 pm

Well thought out and intelligent baseball questions E. Great job.
Brian @ June 18th, 2009 at 12:39 pm

Why does Andruw Jones history against a pitcher even matter? I would bet it was back when he was good before he went to LA. He’s not exactly the same offensive player, and if Wash isn’t aware of that then I have additional concerns about his managerial ability…
DUCK @ June 18th, 2009 at 12:43 pm

I totally agree! When I played baseball growing up, if I could not move the runner over with no outs, I did not play. How can a major leaguer not know how to bunt. Your job is to move the feaking runner over, period!! This is not the first time this has happened this year. A Ranger leads off with a double and the next batter does not sacrifice him over in the late innings. I blame it on Washington, you make your players do what you want them to do. I cant stand when this situation occurs and you have the 220 hitter going up there swinging for the fence. Thats why the Angels always win, they play smart ball.
Josh @ June 18th, 2009 at 12:57 pm

I am left wondering why someone like Max Ramirez hasn’t been called up this season when the club needs more hitting, especially pinch hitting. I am also wondering what good it does to have someone in a small bullpen who you have no trust in, ie Eddie G. If it’s because you have no other options, than it should be someone like AJ Murray who at least has a chance for growth and to be around next season. We keep hearing about the same issues in games, but the club doesn’t seem willing to make the little tweaks to the roster unless they are forced by injury.
Pigskinnie @ June 18th, 2009 at 1:08 pm

Jeffrey,
Yes, that’s new infield grass. I heard Kinsler talk about it on the radio (and he wasn’t too fond of it). He said management put down the new sod that was a thicker breed to help the ground ball pitchers.
Ryan @ June 18th, 2009 at 1:14 pm

dont see how asking strikeout boy to to pull the ball is a lower percentage plan than asking the guy who coulnt even make contact on a squeeze play to lay down a well executed bunt…poor execution
Mmcg @ June 18th, 2009 at 1:18 pm

Great comments, Evan. This game drove me crazy last night, highlighting the thing I hate the most about the team I love.

In the 8th, I absolutely think Blalock should have been bunting. He’s hitting #3 only because Hamilton is hurt. He’s a .255 hitter. BUNT! But striking out is just inexcusable.

In the 9th, I completely agree that Andrus should have hit for Davis. You summed up my feelings perfectly about the 9th.

I’ll take one step further…the 10th. I didn’t understand why Young wasn’t bunting once Kinsler got on. While Young is normally very good at situational hitting, he got very lucky last night that his weak pull found a hole and was able to advance Kinsler. After Cruz failed to move Kinsler home (I won’t fault him too much,) Murphy had a swing & miss before slapping a ball a foot outside to left…..not exactly picture perfect execution….more good fortune IMO.

Very poor decisions and execution last night.
SAC @ June 18th, 2009 at 1:27 pm

Were you attempting to ‘right some comprehensive, flowing account of the game’ or were you attempting to write it?

Maybe that’s why it just wasn’t in you.

Good stuff anyway.
BrianJ @ June 18th, 2009 at 1:35 pm

I would guess that if you asked the Rangers to make a list of things Davis needs to work on, executing a sacrafice bunt would fall somewhere in between learning to throw a circle change and perfecting facial hair designs.
Longhorn Matt @ June 18th, 2009 at 1:41 pm

I hated to see Wash pull Omar back to the dugout in the 9th when Omar had a chance to break Aparicio’s record with a walk-off RBI hit at home. The shocked look on Omar’s face when he realized that Andruw was pinch-hitting for him showed that Omar was not very happy with the decision either. I could understand pulling Omar if he was hitless against Valverde, but since Omar is 3-8 against him, I do not understand that decision at all.
Jack Daddy @ June 18th, 2009 at 1:45 pm

ok, my own tidbits:

1. I repeat, Andruw Jones should not be on this team. I don’t care how many HRs he has or what his OBP looks like. He offers no flexibility because he is a liability in the field and when you watch the games with your EYES, you see he isn’t contributing. Period. Can’t convince me otherwise.
2. The ONLY reason why Davis has not been sent down is b/c there is NOBODY to play first. Don’t give me Blalock. He is barely going any better at the plate, and any difference he would give you I guarantee would be offset by the defense he would give away. I have no doubt about that. None. Smoak is curious. I don’t know what they would do if he wasn’t hurt. Maybe in 4 weeks we’ll get that answer. They are NOT going to trade for a 1B unless its just a rental (the opposite mindset they would have on any other trade) – the reason is Smoak and Davis are in the L-T plans. So, I come back to N. Johnson once again. I don’t think DeRosa b/c I think his K is longer than this year. Evan, what’s the length (that’s what she said)?
3. Why is Boggs up here? If he isn’t going to play, you might as well bring up Max Ramirez, which would allow you to pinch hit for the cather and still have a backup cather available.
4. Guardado has been, ehh. I mean he’s not killing us, but does ANYBODY think he will be pitching on this team when we are competing for the WS? Again, not too worked up about this, b/c our guys can learn from him and he has been throwing OK, but with all the injuries we’ve had, why has AJ Murray not gotten a call-up? I knows its b/c he’s not on the 40 man, but so what? Bannister is and he clearly isn’t on the radar and I think its clear he’s going to be exposed this Winter. Moves are going ot have to be made to get Eyre and/or Nippert on anyway. I understand you don’t want to unnecessarily expose somebody, but they NEED to see what they have in Murray and he’s just wasting time in AAA. Said differently, they keep pulling up Moscosco and Mad Dawg, simply b/c they are on 40 man. They haven’t EARNED those promotions over Murray.

5. anybody look at the August schedule? 10 home games and 19 road games. Not sure if I have ever seen that kind of split. On the bright side, that is when the weather hotter is balls hot in Arlington. September also has more games on the road. Kinda weird.

6. To sum up, I want to win this year and think we can. But I also want it to be in connection with building for 2010. I think those two goals can be consistent and one doesn’t have to override the other. They need to keep that focus in mind in some of these decisions (i.e, putting Jennings in the rotation would be the stupidist thing they could do).

7. Very, very interesting that JD answered the question on the DMN chat as to which player from frisco we might see up next (or words to that extent). He didn’t hem and haw (to his credit, he never does) but was pretty direct in answering Mitch Mooreland. How could that be the case without a trade being made (or releasing Jones)?

8. Am getting more and more intrigued by Borbon. Yes he doesn’t walk much, but more importantly (as to how he would fit here) — he doesn’t K much either.

9. How does LAA beat Lincecum like that?

10. don’t really have a #10, but since all lists must be 10 deep, I’ll say this: I have a very, very good feeling about what Josh is going to do in the second half. His interview with Evan gave me the warm fuzzies and I see some confidence there. I’m predicting a monster second half (and I wasn’t feeling good or confident about his play in the first half at all, even before his injury).
Jack Daddy @ June 18th, 2009 at 1:46 pm

Josh – see you made some of the same points. I started this before lunch and kept getting interrupted and just saw your post.
Jack Daddy @ June 18th, 2009 at 1:53 pm

re/ DeRosa, it looks like the 3 yr deal he signed before 07 expires this year, so he would be a definitely candidate. I just see any acquisition taking Davis’ and Blalock’s ABs away so would prefer the lefty. But would take DeRosa. Just like Nick Johnson better. I will admit these players (the ones that are left) really like Mark and he would fit in really well.
Terry @ June 18th, 2009 at 2:01 pm

My biggest problem was pinch-hitting for Vizquel. He is a true pro. He’s seen it all. Somehow, I think he would have found a way to get a ball to the green part of the outfield to score Byrd. If the Rangers needed a 2-run homer, then, OK, put in Andruw Jones. But they just needed a hit. I was at the game, and there were a few “boos” on the pinch-hit announcement. Not against Andruw, but for not letting Omar hit. I agree, Evan, this is the kind of decision making that will need to get better as the season progresses.
becca @ June 18th, 2009 at 2:03 pm

the omar pinch hit decision is the one that bothers me most too. for all the reasons all you smart people before me said.

and sheesh. why NOT let him have a chance to set the record since it looked like it was going to go into extra innings anyways.
Tom @ June 18th, 2009 at 2:21 pm

I would have pinch hit for Davis, then sent him to AAA Oklahoma City. Why is he still with the big-league club, and why is he still a starter? Does he have embarrassing photos of Nolan Ryan?
I know Hank Blalock can’t make those long stretches at first base to dig out throws from the infielders, but that’s all Davis is good for.
Wash is still learning as a manager. I like the fact that he’s being second-guessed. It shows that we’re contenders. That’s what fans of winning teams do.
Evan Grant on not bunting in the 9th @ June 18th, 2009 at 2:23 pm

[...] Evan Grant has a story up on Inside Corner about last night’s game, with some thoughts at length about how the 9th inning played out, along with discussing some other items. [...]
JimBob @ June 18th, 2009 at 2:33 pm

I was screaming at my television when Chris Davis came up to bat in the ninth. Why would you leave him in at any critical spot in the game? (I have a spot for him; it’s called the Oklahoma City RedHawks roster). Davis is such a huge hole in the lineup and yet, there he is hacking away. I don’t think he struck out this time, so at least there was some contact made. It was a popup, wasn’t it. Oh, well.
Brandon @ June 18th, 2009 at 3:03 pm

I think Vizquel was the better option in that spot record or no record. But the fact that Wash pulled him with that on the line and without a really sound baseball reason…. I would be willing to bet that Omar lost some respect for his manager last night.
Jack Daddy @ June 18th, 2009 at 3:22 pm

just read Adam Morris’ piece on Lone Star and I don’t disagree with him. In fact I mentioned this last night to the guy that was behind me at the game – a bunt doesn’t make terrible sense when the next guy up strikes out as much as Salty does. Adam shows its 63% of time. When you factor in (as he astutely points out) pop ups and ground balls right at drawn in infielders, the chances of Salty delivering with 1 out is probably around 10%. That doesn’t factor in the success rate of getting the bunt down (look at the Astros 9th when that killed their inning).

Give me the 2 chances to get a hit with a guy already in scoring position. That being said, I might have pinch hit for Davis there, but with who? Boggs, who has less than 4 ABs this year? Elvis? Davis is having a better june than Elivs. Jones? Please.

That takes you to the Vizquel AB – I wouldn’t have PH for Jones there but its kinda 6 in one half a dozen in the other. Do people here REALLY have that much confidence in Vizquel and believe you would have had confidence last night that he would have gotten that run home? Against a drawn in infield and shallow outfielders? Not me.

Listen it comes down to this — the very fact that people on these boards have all these different views on what Wash SHOULD have done, PROVES, doesn’t it, that he didn’t make a wrong decision? There wasn’t a right or wrong. Don’t give me percentages. Not a huge fan of them in the first instance, and the percentages didn’t shed a ton of clues last night. We won the game. With Murphy, who most people think is a 4th OF and shouldn’t be relied on so much.

This is the team that Wash has been given. Don’t critisize him because his 1B is hitting 200, his right off the bench was dropped by a team that had no use for him in spite of the fact they owe him a zillion dollars, because his closer is out, because his starter only gave him 5 and because half his lineup strikes out over half the time.

This IS the team. and Wash has them 10 games over 500. WITH ONLY 2 HITTERs peforming how whe thought they would as far as potential and expectations (Young and Elvis)
Jack Daddy @ June 18th, 2009 at 3:32 pm

I love good Rangers talk and love differing views. I just feel that Wash can do no right by people and it drains me. In 162 games, the managers strategy might come into play 5 times a year and alter the true outcome (maybe 5). Ironically, the same Adam Morris that defended the no-bunt clearly doesn’t think Wash is a good mgr (listen to his podcasts) and hates his strategy, but only thinks wash cost them 1 game this year (Easter sunday). Really, you hate him as mgr that bad and that’s why? I personally think CJ’s inability to get outs cost us that game. But even then, what’s the complaint? That Franky didn’t pitch the 8th? Less than a month later wash sent him out for 2 innings and the guy got hurt. And you know what else? Wash kept going to CJ and believed in him and CJ has bailed us out in June!

We OVERRATE Mgr stategic, in-game decisions. A manager’s job is to keep the clubhouse on an even keel, keep guys playing hard and play the hot hand. Wash has done that PERFECTLY this year.
09 is the Year @ June 18th, 2009 at 3:33 pm

Washington said “No. I thought Chris would get it done. What we really needed was for him to pull a ball. We didn’t need anything fancy; we just needed him to pull the ball.”

Did Washington really believe that Davis could pull Valverde’s 95 mph heat?!?!? If so Wash is an idiot and I am scared to death of this guy being in charge of our moves down the stretch in a pennant race.
Lone Ranger @ June 18th, 2009 at 3:36 pm

I agree the 9th was a mess. Worrying about hurting Davis’ feelings should not be part of the consideration. I don’t care how much of a players’ manager Washington is. This type of game, decided in the 9th, can make or break the Rangers season. Washington needs to just get it done the way it should be done. Davis looked like he was just trying not to strike out. He has no confidence and is a huge offensive liability. He needs AAA.
Jack Daddy @ June 18th, 2009 at 3:49 pm

Lone Rnager and 09, I hear you on Davis and CAN NOT argue with you — you won’t reach post season with your 1B hitting .200. I just don’t know who should be in there (both to start, again, don’t give me Blalcok) and in that pinch hitting role. Nobody you mention would have made more sense. Taylor T? Andrus? he’s hitting .179 in June. Jones? You saw what he did. Boggs? Maybe, but the guys hasn’t swung the bat hardly at all in 2 weeks.

Again, Washington didn’t put that bench together. I’m not blaming Daniels – I like him and I like his moves. But you need to put the right kind of bench players in place. In theory, when Hamilton comes back, you will either have Byrd, Murphy or Cruz (or heaven forbid I’m even saying it, Blalock) on the bench so there should be more options.
wes @ June 18th, 2009 at 4:04 pm

Great to see all of the debate, shows the fans are in to this thing.
@Jack Daddy: I agree with your point that there wasn’t a right or wrong decision. i felt last night that leaving davis in was as good if not better than other options (reasoning’s have been exhausted) either way, i don’t think that leaving CD in to swing was cut and dry the wrong move.

@EG: nice article and glad you asked Wash his reasoning, i was checking other articles today and couldn’t find a quote on it any where else. keep up the good work, and thanks for providing a site where this type of debate can happen.
Jack Daddy @ June 18th, 2009 at 4:37 pm

Agree with Wes – as Ryhner likes to say, baseball is a talking sport. Love it!!

What’s really neat is this team is good, but NOT NEAR AS GREAT as it can be over the next 4-6 years.

The bad part is, I’m not getting anything done at night because I’m watching every game!! Thankfully, Mrs. Jack Daddy has become a huge Rangers fan (though she was very disappointed to find out Kinsler was married!).
Jack Daddy @ June 18th, 2009 at 4:39 pm

Evan (and readers):

Question (and I’ll ask again on the game blog):

Why does throwing a 4 seam fastball buildup velocity? I read that the Rangers are asking Beavan to throw more 4 seamer to “build” up velocity. This doesn’t make sense to me. A 4 seamer does have more velocity, because not held as tight and therefore not as much friction. But how does it increase arm strength/velocity?

Anybody have an idea?
jb @ June 18th, 2009 at 4:44 pm

@Jack Daddy: Do you work?
Jack Daddy @ June 18th, 2009 at 4:52 pm

LOL. Unfortunately, yes. Just a slow day.
Rip @ June 18th, 2009 at 5:04 pm

I’ll come to the defense of Davis and Washington. I’m not sure if anyone noticed this, but coming into the series with Houston, Davis was batting .270 in the month of June. In case you forgot, the Rangers played the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Dodgers during that stretch.

I’ll be the first to tell you the guy has struggled greatly this season, and I’m not going to complain when he gets benched or shipped off to Oklahoma City to figure out how to hit again if his average doesn’t head north very soon.

That being said, what if Davis hits a fly ball to right? None of you have a thing to complain about, even if it’s not a home run. To the people who expect guys like Davis or any other power hitter to bunt in that situation, GIVE ME A BREAK! They are on the team because they hit the ball in the outfield – period!

I like the fact that people care about this team. Just remember that baseball isn’t a chess match. You don’t automatically win or lose games because you put the pieces in a certain spot. Strategy goes into every single pitch, but in the end, if our players make plays when they have an opportunity, Rangers win. When everything was said and done last night, that’s exactly what the Rangers did at bat and in the field.
The Beer Guy @ June 18th, 2009 at 5:14 pm

This is more a general thought than something addressed to a specific post.

I do understand the notion of criticizing a manager. For instance, “Argh, why not put the hit and run on there?” or “Remove the pitcher now and bring in another one”. But it seems to me highly problematic when people criticize the manager first and foremost AFTER a player has done poorly.

For example, let’s say Vizquel is removed for PH Jones, who promptly strikes out. As far as I can tell, the first level of blame in that situation goes to Jones, and only secondarily to the manager, since it cannot be known what the original hitter would have done in that situation anyway. I think you can ponder or second-guess him, sure. But to do as I have read and heard many fans do (not necessarily most people here), to take such things as *concrete evidence* of Washington “not having a clue” is beyond disingenuous.

When decisions are made, blame the manager, but only until the player in question does or does not get it done. When the players don’t get it done, they get the blame.
JustSaying @ June 18th, 2009 at 5:50 pm

Not pinch hitting for davis was the biggest blunder……
Charles @ June 18th, 2009 at 7:03 pm

Evan,
Us DMN readers miss you a lot. What if Wash substituted Jones so Vizquel can break Aparicio’s record in San Francisco in front of his old fans? Wash is a player’s manager.
dooley in dallas @ June 19th, 2009 at 1:58 am

Why does Evan never seem to pass up the chance to knock Salty?
Deal with it, Evan. He’s going to be the starting catcher for the next ten years, long after D mag pulls the plug on this failed bit.