Post-Game Show: Diamondbacks 8, Rangers 2

As Dan Patrick might say on his radio show, “What have we learned here tonight?” … Let’s take a look at the good and the bad from Tuesday’s 8-2 loss to Arizona, the Rangers fifth consecutive loss:

Three Up
• RHP Doug Mathis pitched two scoreless innings of relief, but it wasn’t until the game was out of reach. Might Mathis be a guy the Rangers could go to when behind, but still in teh game?
• Chris Davis had a hit, a walk and battled through another at-bat to line a ball to left (though it was caught). Progress may come in tiny bits and pieces.
• It was a glorious sunset in Arizona.

Three Down
• The DL didn’t cure LHP Matt Harrison’s pitching struggles. He has allowed 10 runs in 8.2 innings since returning and both of those starts came against NL teams. Harrison has issued seven walks in his two starts.
• Not sure exactly what RHP Jason Jennings’ role is, but it’s clear he should not enter games with runners on base. He allowed the only runner he inherited on Tuesday to score. He’s allowed six of 11 to score this season.
• A run scored on a wild throw from the catcher back to the pitcher. Really? Really?

The Depot: Rangers-Diamondbacks Live Blog

Here we go, I’m going to go back to original format tonite, but will try to periodically alert you to particularly pithy comments!

8:40: Kevin Millwood, who was originally scheduled to start Saturday, has been pushed up a day to Friday’s game against San Diego. By doing that, Millwood, will be on schedule to start the final game of the three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. If Millwood pitches the next time on four days rest as well, he’d pitch the series opener at the Angels. Derek Holland, who was scheduled to pitch Friday, will now pitch on Saturday and will not face the Angels in Arlington.

8:44: It occurs to me watching this lineup that there are so many players batting out of what should be their regular spot that maybe I’d just jumble everything up for a day or two. Hit Elvis Andrus leadoff, Ian Kinsler third, Michael Young cleanup and so forth. Just something to give a different look. In the time I typed this, though, the Rangers put runners on the corners.

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Rangers Are Likely To Seek Home Improvements Before Shopping Trade Market

PHOENIX – A couple of things about the Rangers and the trade market, which figures to start heating up in the next couple of week:

• The Rangers are already exploring the market, but GM Jon Daniels said upgrades are more likely to come from within than via a major trade.

• Though he’s been given no directive against adding payroll, Daniels doesn’t believe adding significant payroll to be a very likely option.

• If the Rangers are going to make a trade, a bullpen piece might be the most realistic target because those pieces are usually less expensive in terms of salary and the prospects required to obtain them.

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Home Run Pool From The Home Of The First Home Run Pool

Back when this was stil the B.O.B. (Bank One Ballpark), it opened with much fanfare. In addition to a retractable roof, what is now referred to as Chase Field here in Downtown Phoenix had the first in-park pool in the majors. The pool deck is still out there, but I have no idea if the pool is open or what.

But, be that as it may, here’s your home run pool entry form for tonight’s Rangers- Diamondbacks game. Trying to break out of their hitting malaise, the Rangers are sending the following lineup out there against RHP Max Scherzer: 2B Ian Kinsler (who celebrated his 27th birthday yesterday), LF David Murphy, 3B Michael YOung, CF Marlon Byrd, RF Nelson Cruz, C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, 1B Chris Davis, SS Elvis Andrus and LHP Matt Harrison.

Also, it is very hot in Phoenix. Not sure if you were aware of that or not, but I can confirm.

Rangers Urging Fans To “Keep Ian On Top”

With his lead in the All-Star voting at second base down to a measley 60,000 votes, the Rangers are reminding folks that voting can still be done on line. And that if you’ve ever wanted to commit voter fraud in a political election but were scared to because of the penalties and all, now is your chance. Not only is voting multiple times legal, but fans who vote the maximum number of 25 times at the Rangers official website can earn two free tickets.

And besides everybody knows how I feel about Kinsler’s pursuer, Dustin Pedroia (kidding, Boston, kidding; I love Pedroia).

So you have the Rangers official permission to stuff the cyber ballot box. Not only their permission, their encouragement. You can just click on one of the Rangers ads on our site to take you there. You know the ones, they basically say “Vote Kinsler; Vote Rangers; Vote Often.”

Reports: Tom Hicks’ Liverpool Debt To Be Refinanced

UPDATED, 3:02 pm CDT with quotes from Tom Hicks, confirming Royal Bank of Scotland’s commitment.

The BBC is reporting that Royal Bank of Scotland will refinance a debt of £350 million that was due to be paid in July. There are, however, still negotiations ongoing with Wachovia, which also is due part of the loan.

What I found most interesting from the BBC story is this:

“The RBS revelation comes days after Liverpool co-owner George Gillett agreed to sell one of his major assets in a deal which would ease financial pressures at the Premier League club.

He is selling his 80% stake in the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team, in a deal reported to be worth at least $550m (£332.9m).

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Series Preview: Rangers at Diamondbacks

Be prepared. It might get ugly.

As the Rangers and Diamondbacks get a three-game series underway tonight in Phoenix, both teams are looking to rebound from a rough weekend. The Rangers were swept in San Francisco, scoring only seven runs in the process. The D-Backs were swept by Seattle, plating just eight runs. Yikes.

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A Small Step For InsideCorner, A Giant Leap For Blogging

I really don’t have anything to say at this very moment, except that I’m blogging from 32,000 feet – legally – on an American Airlines flight to Phoenix. I may never, ever have to be away from my computer again. Oh, happy day.

Oh, yes, I’m headed to see Rangers-D’backs. We’ll be bringing you all the action (so to speak) tonight as the Rangers try to break their four-game losing streak.

Dallas Stars’ Brett Hull: From In The Crease To In The Hockey Hall Of Fame

Brett Hull has told DMN‘s Mike Heika, his former partner on the popular “Hull and Heika” series shown on the Jumbotron during stoppages of play, that he’ll be announced as part of the next class of inductees in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. It comes only three days after the 10th anniversary of his Cup winning goal and two days after Fathers’ Day, the latter significant because he and Bobby (class of ’83) will become the first father-son duo in the hockey hall. Does this mean he gets his Dallas sweater number retired?