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Post-Game Show: Rangers 9, Angels 7

Posted on July 1st, 2009 10:04pm by Evan Grant
Filed under AL West race, Baseball, Post-Game Wrap up, Texas Rangers

Three Up and Three Down from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington Wednesday where the Rangers beat Los Angeles for the fifth time in six meetings this season, improved their record against the AL West to 15-4 and moved within a half game of first place in the division.

Three Up
• Marlon Byrd was the MVP of the Angels series. He went 5-for-9 with three homers in the first two games. On Wednesday, his leadoff walk in the sixth began a five-run rally as the Rangers took control of the game. Byrd was 1-for-2 with a walk and was hit by a pitch.
• Hank Blalock, playing for the first time in the series, homered in the fourth for the Rangers’ first run of the game. His double, which followed Byrd’s walk in the sixth, gave the inning real legs. Oh, and did we mention that walk-off two-run homer?
• Julio Borbon picked up his first major league hit, a single with the infield drawn in, to score the first run of the sixth inning. He then took second on the throw home.

Three Down
•RHP Frank Francisco may not be ready to resume closing. Given a three-run lead to work with in his first ninth-inning save opportunity since returning from the DL, he allowed a leadoff double (turned into an out by Chone Figgins overzealous base-running) a pair of walks anda two-out, three-run game-tying homer to Juan Rivera.
• RHP Kevin Millwood was effective for six innings in 100 degree weather, but ran into trouble after he crossed the 100-pitch mark. He retired only one batter in the seventh and a six-run lead had shrunk to three.
• Just as the Rangers are about to get OF Josh Hamilton back, OF Nelson Cruz has come up with a stiff back. It forced him out of the game in the sixth inning. Cruz is tied with Ian Kinsler for the team lead in homers.

20 Comments to “Post-Game Show: Rangers 9, Angels 7”

Joshua @ July 1st, 2009 at 10:28 pm

WOW!!! THAT A BOY HAMMER. HE’LL ALWAYS BE MY FAVORITE RANGER
gordosan @ July 1st, 2009 at 10:28 pm

I want everyone to give an apology to Blalock.
big bob @ July 1st, 2009 at 10:36 pm

wash has faith in his boys
Tom B @ July 1st, 2009 at 10:37 pm

That’s just the way they draw it up in pregame meetings. Nopw, Tampa Bay, The hottest team in baseball.
Ranger Fan Willis @ July 1st, 2009 at 10:47 pm

What a crazy game, had a lot of everything.
Bobby in Bryan @ July 1st, 2009 at 11:09 pm

I would have liked to have been at the Ballpark for this one! What a bunch of exciting plays. Go get ‘em, Rangers!
Chad @ July 1st, 2009 at 11:10 pm

Here’s my lineup for Friday night vs. Kazmir

1. Kinsler 2B
2. Young 3B
3. Hamilton RF
4. Byrd CF
5. Blalock 1B
6. Jones DH
7. Murphy LF
8. Salty C
9. Andrus SS
Old Tom @ July 1st, 2009 at 11:16 pm

Evan, I wouldn’t have used a “down” on Millwood. He was solid and outpitched Weaver. I wonder if you’d consider solliciting input from the audience for 3 up 3 down, as a way to prolong the game experience, and then post your own 3 up 3 down and maybe comment on some of the input. Maybe just for day games and games back east. Definitely not a good idea for games on the West Coast.
Ranger Fan @ July 1st, 2009 at 11:22 pm

Poor CJ…dominates, demoted to the set-up man. Strikes out the side. In comes the untouchable closer…bye bye lead. And Frankie will be back in there. Worrisome.
t ball @ July 1st, 2009 at 11:30 pm

You know, closers do occasionally have off days and blow saves.
Ranger Fan @ July 1st, 2009 at 11:39 pm

This isn’t occasional. Frankie has struggled since he came back. He hasn’t always given up runs but he has not been his usual self. His fastball used to be unhittable. That’s not the case now. He’s just…off. I’m not saying he’s not the closer ever again. But right now, he shouldnt be.
JustSaying @ July 1st, 2009 at 11:43 pm

sorry no apology for hank…….already cut him and ready to see him elsewhere……we won’t even get a draft pick for him……
CJsAgent @ July 1st, 2009 at 11:44 pm

it’s time to pay up…..3 strikeouts versus 3 run homer…….pay up…….
JustSaying @ July 1st, 2009 at 11:47 pm

i think the new term for some of wash’s moves has to be “reflex stupid”……sorta like declaring Frankie is his closer right after he gave up the two run homer a couple of days ago…..rather than stand back and be reflective for the “team” he jumps in for the “player”…….

i thought this was a “team” game not a “player” game……..
JustSaying @ July 1st, 2009 at 11:54 pm

and wash use of his bullpen (or lack thereof) has to be disappointing tonight…..not playoff caliber managing…..so wash if you’re going to the playoffs you need to buck up…….i still love you but you MUST buck up………
90DaysOfHicksDefault @ July 2nd, 2009 at 12:01 am

don’t want to rain on the parade but:

hicks has no money to extend josh; trade for a starter; beef up the bullpen if it requires money.

despite all the owner’s limitations these guys act like they can WIN IN SPITE OF HICKS…..now that’s professional talent!
90DaysOfHicksDefault @ July 2nd, 2009 at 12:03 am

soon i will release figures on the a-rod tax…..so that each time you attend a ranger game there can be a figure on your ticket to tell you how much of it a-rod gets before he is paid off……..
haiku man @ July 2nd, 2009 at 12:05 am

Frankie not prime time
CJ closes door in eight
Hank says adios
B. Money @ July 2nd, 2009 at 12:12 am

@Chad
Are you trying to predict Wash’s lineup or give your own?

I don’t think anybody besides Wash still thinks Kinsler needs to be batting leadoff.

My proposal:
1. Borbon LF
2. Young 3B
3. Hamilton DH
4. Byrd CF
5. Murphy RF
6. Kinsler 2B
7. Saltalamacchia C
8. Davis 1B
9. Andrus SS

This lets you ease Hamilton back in. I could be convinced to put Blalock at 1B, but Davis had a good game tonight, too.

They’ve got to drop Kinsler down and take some pressure off of him – let him hit his way back up. I could see him going to the 3 hole with Hamilton at cleanup or vice versa if he gets his head right with ball.
B. Money @ July 2nd, 2009 at 12:13 am

Oh yeah, implied in my lineup is that we trade Andruw Jones for a $10 margarita and a part time grounds crew member from another ballpark. . . or just cut his fat butt.