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The Depot: Live Rangers Game Blog, News And Notes

Posted on July 5th, 2009 6:56pm by Jeff Miller
Filed under AL West race, Baseball, Live blogs, Texas Rangers

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ARLINGTON - Michael Young is thankful to be making his sixth consecutive All-Star trip and most thankful he was voted onto the American League team by vote of the players. Ian Kinsler waits for the “run-off” vote for the 33^rd man that will end Thursday. A.L. manager Joe Maddon said Kevin Millwood was one of three All-Star caliber pitchers left off the roster, and Rays 2B Ben Zobrist earned his manager’s selection in part for his versatility.

6:55: Young earned a reserve nod at third base in his first year at the position, the significance not lost on him.

“Going back to the winter, there was tons of uncertainty as to how this was all going to play out,” Young said of his switch and the promotion of SS Elvis Andrus from Double-A. “To have a situation where the team is settled in … once again, I’m really honored to be the players’ selection. That just means everything to me.”

As a reserve, Young has been in position to be a late-game hero: MVP of the 2006 game in Pittsburgh and knocking in the winning run last year at Yankee Stadium in the 15^th inning.

“The last two years I’ve always messed with Derek [Jeter],” he said. “He goes in there, usually has two or three easy at-bats, gets a little round of applause and he’s out of the game.”

Josh Hamilton was Texas’ lone elected starter. He said Sunday afternoon he anticipates rejoining the Rangers soon and playing in the All-Star Game.

Kinsler’s large fan-vote lead evaporated in the last two weeks, leading to 2008 MVP Dustin Pedroia from Boston landing the starting berth.

“There’s not much of a reaction,” Kinsler said. “Playing in Boston is definitely an advantage when it comes to popularity or whatever it takes to get voted.”

Kinsler did land in the five-man field for the final A.L. slot. Yet another fan vote.

“I think it’s cool the fans do get this involved,” he said. “To have the fans involved is a good process. It definitely gets more viewers for the All-Star Game. It definitely brings more attention to the game of baseball. I can’t frown upon that.”

Tampa Bay’s Maddon mentioned Millwood (already on his way to California on Sunday afternoon) and relievers J.P. Howell of the Rays and David Aardsma of Seattle as the three All-Star caliber pitchers left out.

“Once you get a chance to walk in the choosing shoes, it’s no fun,” Maddon said.

He noted having one representative per team closed the field after adding the White Sox’s Mark Buerhle and Oakland’s Andrew Bailey. He also addressed his selection of Boston’s Tim Wakefield (10-3, 4.30 ERA): “Wakefield’s having a good year. He pitches in Boston. [I take that as a reference to pitching in Fenway.] He’s had a tremendous body of work throughout his entire career. I just felt that getting him on the team was the right thing to do.”

Zobrist, the Dallas Baptist product, has seemingly come out of nowhere to become an integral Rays player. He is hitting .286 with 16 home runs and 45 RBIs. He leads the league in both OPS (1.015) and slugging percentage (.609) after taking over second base from the injured Akinori Iwamora.

“You don’t want to be the anti-nepotist,” Maddon said. “I don’t want to exclude anybody because they’re with us. I thought Ben Zobrist’s numbers, when you really break them down, are among the best in the entire American League. I thought it was important to have him on the team from that perspective. Also, playing a National League game, as the game is in progress there are so many different things that he can do. He can play second base. You can throw him at short. You can throw him at third, all three outfield positions.”

6:57: Jon Daniels said Vicente Padilla’s shoulder soreness will require an additional day’s rest. Dustin Nippert, technically still on the DL, is now penciled in for Tuesday night’s second game in Anaheim, Padilla is now listed as tentative for Wednesday’s series finale.

7:15: Hamilton went 2-for-4 with a double and a triple in the first of two at Oklahoma City, scored the winning run in the bottom of the “extra” eighth inning. (Does that mean he was subjected to a dog pile?)

7:30: The Rangers have announced the signings of five international players during the period that began Thursday: switch-hitting SS Jurickson Profar from Curacao, switch-hitting CF Chris Garcia from Curacao, switch-hitting SS Luis Sardinas from Venezuela, switch-hitting SS Luis Mendez and LHP Luis Daniel De la Torre. Profar and Garcia, each 16 years old, are at the park today and even took some swings in the cage early in the afternoon against Ron Washington.

Profar, 11-year-old star of Curacoa’s 2004 Little League World Series team, received particular praise from Washington: “He’s 16, weighs about 130 pounds. He is a talent. He has good hands, good feet, a quick bat from both sides. Has a good understanding of the game. Very humble kif. The more you challenge him, the more he rises.”

Profar has pitched but, seated in the Rangers’ dugout this afternoon, expressed his preference for playing shortstop: “I don’t like sitting on the bench waiting four days to play.” Garcia’s signing confirmed a preference of baseball over track, where he was an excellent sprinter. To go that route would have probably meant getting a track scholarship to an American college.

A.J. Preller, the club’s director of pro and international scouting, said of this group: “We got very athletic players up the middle. They play offense and defense. They’re smart. Especially with these [Profar and Garcia, seated next to him], they have a feel for English.”

The new signees will report to the Dominican Republic next week to play for in a newcomers league for two months, then head back north for instructional league.

7:46: Back to All-Star stuff. With Kinsler still in the running, Washington said he felt worst about Millwood’s exclusion: “I don’t think there’s anyone in the game who has been as important to a team as he’s been to us. Stopped [losing] streaks, pitched against tough teams. When we needed him, he’s delivered.” And if Kinsler doesn’t get in, Washington said he’ll be happy his second baseman will get some time off: ”He needs to catch his second wind.”

7:48: Feldman stranded three in the second, his second consecutive second-inning struggle, but that leaves him with 44 pitches already thrown.

8:17: David Murphy, only two at-bats into this game, is hitting .333 in his last 15 games. He matched a season high on Saturday night with his third three-hit game of the season. Mr. 0-for-23 Start Now Hitting Third In Hamilton’s Absence is batting .276.

8:19: Nearly needed a wide-screen TV to follow Matt Garza’s pitch sequence in striking out Blalock.

8:34: Hamilton update: He’s 0-for-3 in the nightcap with two groundouts and a strikeout. With Oklahoma trailing 4-1 going to the sixth, he might get one more at-bat. That’s 2-for-7 for the day, 4-for-27 in the overall minor league rehab.

8:37: Not sure where to research this, but Elvis Andrus’ leadoff single in the fourth gives the Rangers a leadoff base runner in each inning so far. The first three all scored.

9:01: Ninety-two pitches for Feldman. History indicates Washington will give him one more inning based on pitch count. No one up in the bullpen yet.

9:12: Hamilton walked in his final plate appearance, 2-for-7 for the doubleheader. Justin Smoak, by the way, went 1-for-5 in the twin bill with two walks, two runs and two strikeouts.

9:27: Based on the number of times that I’ve spotted Nolan Ryan on the ESPN telecast, he could qualify for a quality start.

193 Comments to “The Depot: Live Rangers Game Blog, News And Notes”

Matt ryan @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:06 pm

Joe,I highly reccomend the book “Excuses Be Gone”. Idiot.
betterman91 @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:07 pm

I have been a kinsler fan, but i am glad he didn’t get voted in. His average and onbase are terrible. And he acts like he didn’t get in cuz pedroia plays for boston. Kinsler had a huge lead, and then he stopped hitting. His average dropped and so did his lead. He needs to look at himself and make some changes
TD @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:11 pm

Signature dive from Marlon…..great play.
Andrew in Boston @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:12 pm

@Evan,
Who is the loser on the 40 man to move Nippert? McCarthy to the 60?
Juboon @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:12 pm

C’mon now — Kinsler may or may not deserve to go, but Pedroia DID get voted in because he plays for Boston. Kinsler’s right about that. If Pedroia’s on another team and not a past MVP or whatever, does he go this year due to the popularity vote?

On other topics, am I the only one disappointed the game’s on ESPN tonight?
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:12 pm

It would have been nice if Ian would have won the fan vote, but he didn’t. The thing that he should pay attention to is that he wasn’t voted in by the players, managers & coaches either. That is how MY gets in all of the time. Everyone knows that the fan vote is a big popularity contest; the players/managers/coaches vote is supposed to be about the respect of his peers. THAT is the vote that I would be concerned about losing.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:13 pm

Good Evening all, pumped to see the boys on national TV and not another Yankee Red Sox game. Let’s wish em luck completing the sweep.
Andrew in Boston @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:13 pm

Sorry Jeff, forgot you were filling in…
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:14 pm

Very good point Scoop
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:15 pm

@juboon no you’re not the only one. it would be nice if the announcers knew ANYTHING about the Rangers. joe morgan can’t even pronounce salty’s name. once again, if you’re not the yankees, red sox, rays, or dodgers, ESPN doesn’t give a crap about you.

and joe morgan definitely called byrd’s diving catch “easy,” regardless of how morgan backpeddled after he said it
Juboon @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:16 pm

Thanks, Jeffrey, that is EXACTLY what I’m talking about.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:18 pm

Uh oh, my call was just put out there. lets see if MY can come through for me here.
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:19 pm

joe morgan again just blamed ian’s hitting stance for him getting hit.

i know i’m a rangers homer, and i’m probably just looking for a reason to criticize this ESPN crew, but this is just silly
Juboon @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:20 pm

No ARod? No Manny at the all star game? (snicker) Rock on!!
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:21 pm

Nope. He couldn’t.
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:21 pm

Hope that doesn’t swell up on Kins. Lousy day!
Juboon @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:21 pm

Again, Jeffrey, you and I might just be the resident curmudgeons here tonight. I thought I heard them say something about it being his fault and him being a wuss for it hurting. Or somesuch. Granted, I’m doing a couple things here and not paying full attention.
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:23 pm

OK. I’ll join the party. Before the game, they were talking about Kins doing it with power, not speed. Just now, they decided that Kins is speedy after all.
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:24 pm

lol @scooper that’s funny
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:24 pm

Byrd got that hit because he busts it out of the box EVERY TIME. Good for him!
Dylan @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:25 pm

I’d just like to point out that for all the talk of the Rangers not playing well against the better teams, and despite the slump in June, the Rangers will have gone to NY and Bos and gone .500, gone 5-1 against the Angels and potentially could sweep the Rays.

Not too shabby.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:25 pm

The ghost of Rheiner is posting here tonight.
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:29 pm

@dylan: and we are 15-4 in our division. none of the others are even .500.
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:30 pm

1) Bad AB for Blalock
2) All Star 2B: Players voted for Hill. Supports the assertion hard to beat NY/Boston media markets for fan voting.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:30 pm

Is that “4″ scooper, Two losses from the A’s and 1 loss each from the Mariners and Angels?
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:32 pm

@RyansDad: I got that off of the MLB website.
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:33 pm

Morgan has never been the brightest bulb on the marquee.
Loved his slap side stance, tho
Juboon @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:34 pm

[snickering again, visualizing the marquee]
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:34 pm

Thought is was pretty chicken “s” too to have someone shown in our house holding a sign to vote for a visiting teams player. I have no problem with the sign, don’t like the TV coverage.
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:35 pm

@Jeff: per Jamey Newberg, in BP Profar went yard from both sides of the plate.
TD @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:35 pm

JOE MORGAN is no TOM GRIEVE
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:36 pm

I will say…Rangers Ballpark in Arlington sure looks good on that ESPN HD
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:36 pm

@ryans dad agreed
Dylan @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:38 pm

@Jeffrey – Shore would look better full.

Of course, I’m at home so I guess I cant’ say much.
betterman91 @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:42 pm

if it were a faster player they wouldn’t play him that way. Isn’t that the point.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:42 pm

Morgan is an idiot, good point on the slowest runner on either team.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:43 pm

And Ian probably should have made that catch.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:45 pm

Another bad point
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:47 pm

finally some recognition for the work our pitchers have done. i like this main guy better than john miller, because this guy seems to like/admire the rangers and the work they’ve done.

and great recovery by Feldman, glad he got himself out of that jam. that kind of work will help us out if we’re in the pennant race come september
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:51 pm

You can only jump as high as you can jump. Unless Kins has a 42″ vertical, he can’r get it. If he had, he should have talked to Cuban.
Jeff Miller @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:51 pm

@scooper: The 16-year-olds were brought through the clubhouse, chatted with Andrus, Borbon and Andruw Jones, got some batting gloves from Young and Kinsler.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:55 pm

Fred, it looked to me that he just mistimed his jump. I don’t have HD so maybe I’m wrong. If it was over his glove then I apologize.
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:56 pm

anyone know if eric nadel is back from his stint on the DL on KRLD? if so, it may be time to switch on the ol’ AM radio
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:58 pm

I think he is back, but it doesn’t matter. Their backup is probably better than Morgan.
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 7:59 pm

@Jeffrey: I think he is back. He’s just not going on the road trip because he can’t fly yet.
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:00 pm

would love it if salty can throw out upton right here
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:00 pm

@ryansdad, @scooper thanks
Jeff Miller @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:01 pm

@jeffrey: Yes, Eric is on the air. And, yes, scooper, he cannot get on a plane yet.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:03 pm

Pathetic.
Dylan @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:04 pm

Totally agree with Morgan here. There is no reason to throw home, so they were automatically ceding an extra base at third. Nellie did the exact same thing on Friday night. Fundamentals are fun!
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:04 pm

Morgan said the Rangers have really improved situational hitting and moving the runners along?? Did I miss something big this season??
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:07 pm

this is the 2nd special graphics video that ESPN has done on the rays this inning. how many of those videos do you think they’ve got ready for the rangers?

on a different note, that was a pitiful series of decisions/throws. you can’t let an experienced team like tampa stick around, you need to get a lead and keep it
Matt @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:13 pm

Does any other 3rd base coach hold runners as often as ours does?
TD @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:14 pm

I will go with 1 pretty rangers graphic at most…..
TD @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:14 pm

O outs…I hate it, but prob a smart hold there…
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:15 pm

come on Hammer…
Dylan @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:15 pm

Tough call on the hold there. I’d like to see some agressiveness there because, if you send him then you’ve got a runner at second, even if MY doesn’t score.
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:17 pm

Another bad play by Cruz. I saw LSB throwing up stats saying he was one of the best RF in baseball. Anyone who had ever played beyond little league would see that he was very rough. Some tools, but terrible instincts/judgment. I guess that’s the problem with fielding stats. Those who can, do. Those who can’t invent new stats.
Dylan @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:18 pm

Oh Hank.
TD @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:18 pm

6 left on for HANK tonight…in the 3rd!
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:19 pm

ouch Hank
TD @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:19 pm

5 sorry….
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:20 pm

LUCKY break there. glad that all-star shortstop had a brain fart
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:20 pm

Thank you, Jason Bartlett!
TD @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:20 pm

BAIL OUT!!!

and shut up JOE MORGAN! God, he is terrible,.
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:21 pm

Matt-Nobody out, you hold the man there. Since Morgan criticized the play, you can assume it was right. Only problem is: How many time have we seen the Rangers get a man on 3rd with nobody out and strand him?
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:21 pm

this sure does make you appreciate TAG!
Matt @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:22 pm

There was an article about the Rangers baserunning not scoring from 2nd and not going 1st to 3rd. How much does the 3rd base coach have to do with it? He seems overly conservative.
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:23 pm

it’s very sad that we only got 1 run out of a bases-loaded-and-no-out situation
Dylan @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:23 pm

That was disappointing.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:28 pm

I agree with everything that has been said by everybody on here tonight.
Jeff Miller @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:29 pm

@Andrew in Boston: The Rangers haven’t yet made a move to accomodate getting Nippert on the 40-man roster.
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:29 pm

@Evan- Not sure you Veterans Day theory works when Blalock chases a hook from a RHP in the dirt like a rookie. Salty screwed up, too, but he’s a kid. A couple of examples of why te Rangers don’t score RIP with 0-1 out.
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:29 pm

@ryansdad: you are very agreeable!
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:29 pm

Hey folks, joining the game a little late tonight, that last inning stunk…shoulda had more runs!

But it’s cool to see us on national TV. The ESPN camera angles and shots are a nice change from the normal FSSW ones.
Juboon @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:33 pm

What I’m noticing is the sound. Is this a particularly loud ump, or is the ESPN sound placement/coverage just that much better? I’m not usually even aware the ump is calling anything.
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:33 pm

@thebeerguy I agree, the stadium looks great on the ESPN cameras tonight, but I’ll take “average” camera angles any day as long as I don’t have to listen to these jokers
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:34 pm

Hey, aren’t I always Scoop?
Juboon @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:35 pm

Sorry, Maddon, not forgivin’ ya for not naming Milly.
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:36 pm

Yeah I think its their mic placement, the sound is awesome. Like you’re sitting in the first row behind the plate.

I actually like these announcers. Not sure why people hate Joe Morgan so much…I think it’s because people get used to the home team guys clearly being biased, so when these guys just talk more baseball in general it annoys fans!
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:37 pm

This is cool also because it’s like a “playoff broadcast”!
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:37 pm

Ok, now I disagree with someone. Thanks Beer Guy
TD @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:37 pm

wow…this is a SLOPPY game all around….
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:38 pm

Care to explain why Ryans Dad?
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:39 pm

Just don’t like Joe Morgan. Good point about the Texas sky moron.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:40 pm

At least when Josh says something stupid, TAG just lays out on him. That’s how you commentate.
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:41 pm

@thebeerguy I don’t mind the general baseball talk, and I feel like these guys do know a lot…

but they are clearly biased toward 4 or 5 teams. the Rangers aren’t part of that elite group, and so consequently they know very little about the rangers, say very little about the rangers, mispronounce names (they’ve done so 3 times tonight), and discredit the team for the things they’ve done
Dylan @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:41 pm

Gotta put the game out of reach here.
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:41 pm

Hahaha oh ok it must be Texas nationalism! Sorry I am not from Texas so I will excuse myself from that one
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:41 pm

@beerguy: to me, these guys are annoying because they don’t know much about the Rangers (yet they talk like they are giving us FACTS). I subscribe to MLB.TV and I watch quite a few of the other games. I actually like most of the announcers I have heard, but these ESPN guys annoy me.
Badspellr @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:41 pm

Want to sell: No hit no field corner infield/DH type. Was good four years ago. Complains when benched. Must pick up remainder of high salary. All reasonable offers accepted. Call now. I am not too proud to beg.
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:41 pm

another bases-load-and-no-out situation…let’s see if this turns out better than the last inning
Juboon @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:42 pm

The other thing is, Josh isn’t working national. He’s a homer — and, correct me if I’m wrong, a homer who works for a team known to play long and sometimes lopsided, boring games. He’s expected to get “out there” sometimes. National guys? Hey, I expect you to at least be able to pronounce guys’ names (even if you’ve never seen them play before) and get your facts right. Is that too much to ask?
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:43 pm

Are the Rays part of that bias? Weird…would only be because of last year, because definitely not before that. But yeah, I agree that the big national media are biased in favor of the big market teams (NY, LA, Boston, Chicago mainly), because that’s where the audience is, ergo that’s where the profits are.
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:44 pm

“commentate”??
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:45 pm

@beerguy: yeah, the Rays were only last year, but they play in the same division with the “big boys.”
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:45 pm

Man, Garza is pretty lucky to only be down 3-2 at this point…he isn’t on his game tonight eh?
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:46 pm

@fred: yeah, bloggers tend to make up their own words.
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:47 pm

i’ll take 2 more runs.

@thebeerguy ya they like the rays because of last year. i know i’m a rangers homer, and i shouldn’t expect them to get the same treatment as the sox or yankees because they haven’t proven anything yet, but like @juboon said, at least get the names and facts right
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:48 pm

@beerguy: there’s one for you. I don’t mind them telling the world that we can “get ‘em on, get ‘em over and get ‘em in,” but we’ve been complaining about our situational hitting all year.
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:48 pm

@scooper: True, although Toronto always gets ignored. Anyway, we’re all on the same side here! I agree with you mostly, I get really annoyed listening to the Baseball Today podcast, because they rarely talk about small teams…always Phillies, LA, NYY, NYM, Boston, CWS, Cubs…
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:48 pm

Jeffery-These announcers aren’t biased, they’re just lazy. Don’t bother to do their home work.
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:49 pm

ouch hank…2nd strikeout in a row that looked PAINFUL
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:50 pm

That was a cool shot…there was Vizquel and Hunter both up there actively watching the game.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:50 pm

intransitive verb
: to comment in a usually expository or interpretive manner; also : to act as a commentator

Check out http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commentate
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:50 pm

@Fred good point.

@thebeerguy yes, at least we are all on the same team here. glad we can have this lively baseball convo!
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:50 pm

@beerguy: good point about Toronto. I don’t think they are trying to be biased. They are saying a lot of nice things about the Rangers. It would just be nice if what they were saying was correct!
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:51 pm

No apology is necessary.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:51 pm

LOUD NOISES!
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:52 pm

Once we go to the Series this year, we will be one of the favored next year!
Juboon @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:53 pm

“one of the better Minor League organizations”? And whose would be better, pray tell?
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:53 pm

hahaha joe morgan wow. the prairie sky is high and wide
Juboon @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:54 pm

I feel bad for the intern who had to go look that up. (yup, making assumptions here)
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:55 pm

A base what???? Did anybody else hear that?
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:56 pm

Uh, despite being a native of Arkansas, I actually like the state of Texas (haha! sorry, old SWC joke there)…but I never really think about Dallas being in the prairie…? Wouldn’t that be more West Texas?
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:57 pm

@Ryans Dad: Lol! I think he said “A baysh it”
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:57 pm

I believe that Dallas is located in the region of Texas known as the Blackland Prairie.
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:58 pm

sweet double up!
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 8:58 pm

Way to be alert, Michael!
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:00 pm

It is still hard to think of the Dallas-Ft. Worth area as “prairie.”
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:00 pm

Good to know somebody else heard that Beer Guy.
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:00 pm

Maybe it would be more obvious without all the buildings
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:01 pm

@beerguy: you are funny tonight!
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:02 pm

I agree that the actual city doesn’t look much like a prairie.
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:04 pm

Josh is paid by the Rangers and should wear a short skirt and a sweater with a megaphone on it.
By the way, Evan, Blalock’s veteran presence needs to exert itself a bit more with RIP.
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:05 pm

Just glad we are doing well on national TV. I want people to respect the Rangers!
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:06 pm

Greatness
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:08 pm

I do see that Tampa Bay is weak on the left side of their infield on slow hit balls. May be more a result of a pitcher that is slow to react than either SS or 3B.
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:08 pm

great hustle by CD
Bob Bland @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:08 pm

Great effort there by Davis! Really hard not to root for that kid, no matter how badly he’s struggling.
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:08 pm

Great hustle CD!!
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:10 pm

@bob: I’ve rooted for him from the start and I’m not about to stop now. He’s only 23 and I really believe that he will be OK. And you are right – How can you not like this kid?
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:12 pm

By the way–
LSB also said MY had been terrible in the field, this year.
I thought he was very slow reacting in the early weeks, but, and I know I’m older, it looked to me like he was picking pretty well these last couple of months. Not sure how much 3B the LSB spokesperson has played.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:15 pm

I love Davis too. The only problem I see is that he has left the door open for Smoak to come up and he’s quickly running out of time.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:16 pm

Another double play. Awesome.
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:17 pm

loving those double plays
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:17 pm

I am glad that we are finally looking good on national TV!
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:19 pm

Yeah!
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:21 pm

Ryan’s Dad- 3B is hurt, can’t move well.
By the way–give you one on commentate, taught english, but can’t keep up with the words added in the last 30 years.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:23 pm

Appreciate that, but commentate according to Webster was added in 1794. Sorry, lol.
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:23 pm

If Smoak is gonna help, he needs to hit over .150 against minor league LHP. We need help against LHP, and Salty doesn’t help.
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:24 pm

Murph is really looking good!
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:25 pm

The Wave is such a beating to me.
Dylan @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:26 pm

Seriously? Really crucial moment in this game and the fans are doing the wave.

Seriously?
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:27 pm

It’s like line dancing. We have all done it, we don’t like to talk about it and it needs to die.
Dylan @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:29 pm

I always forget that Nolan struck out 16 in the 7th no-no. He was pretty good.
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:30 pm

Murphy’s start, this year, is a good example of the patience we need to have with young players–looking at talent vs. stats.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:31 pm

I’m beginning to wonder if Davis can break Nolan Ryan’s single season strike out record this year.
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:31 pm

Man, you just don’t see those kinds of strike out performances anymore. Maybe Randy Johnson several years back, but no one strikes out 12, 13, 14 anymore in a game…Go Nolan!

On another note, we still need to do better with RISP.
Dylan @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:31 pm

Wow… one more night like this and we can stop talking about Hank’s “hot streak.”
Dylan @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:32 pm

@Ryans Dad – Line of the night.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:33 pm

I do like to see 3 Sac Flies in one game. Especially with the pitcher they faced tonight. He good.
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:36 pm

@beerguy: pitchers don’t throw complete games any more. you still have to have great stuff, but it is easier to get more K’s if you are pitching more innings.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:36 pm

Juuuuust a bit inside
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:37 pm

“He (Bartlett) doesn’t make mistakes.” What happened to that dropped throw at second base? Looked like a mistake to me!
Dylan @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:38 pm

I heard a lot of praise heaped on Jason Jennings during Friday night’s game, and he pitched… ok. He was pretty all over the place with his control and got some deep fly balls hit against. Behind in almost every count he saw.

He’s much better tonight.
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:38 pm

jennings’ breaking ball looks dirty tonight
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:39 pm

Davis will have his day. Just like Murphy, he has the talent. In fact, more talent. He has less experience and it’s taking him a while, this year. Hopefully, management will have patience during a rebuilding year.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:41 pm

I hope you’re right Fred.
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:41 pm

great 1-2-3 inning for jennings
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:41 pm

I have to give it to Jennings, he’s played well above his pay grade this year.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:43 pm

The one thing I’ve noticed though is that the guys like Evan who have stood by Davis all year are starting to talk about Smoak, Jones, and Blalock taking over. No doubt I don’t know what I’m talking about, but those guys do.
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:51 pm

Jones can’t play 1st on a daily basis. Blalock barely can, and is weak against LHP and Smoak hasn’t showed he can hit LHP. Do we have a RH hitting 1B? Which way does Moeland hit? (yeah, I know, he’s a way’s off. Point is: if we had a RH hitting 1B , I’d be ready for at least a platoon, but we don’t have one.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:54 pm

I’m not arguing the point. Each solution has a down side. But everyday that Davis continues he’s losing confidence. At some point you might have to take a worse short term solution to protect the long term investment.
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 9:57 pm

that was a GREAT inning from cj wilson. let’s see if we can add some more insurance runs
Michael in LH @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:05 pm

Will these ESPN guys ever shut up? They seem to be afraid to let a second go by without one of them spouting off about something.
Doug @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:07 pm

Explain the Rangers philosophy on sending men from 3rd. It seems that on too many occasions, Anderson stops runners who would have scored a high percentage of the time, and many times those runner were stranded on based. Part of the Rangers June offense failure was due to poor hitting with runners in scoring position with 2 outs. A more aggressive approach at 3rd base would help.
Juboon @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:07 pm

Cmon, Frankie, almost there…
Juboon @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:09 pm

“Don’t look now, Texas is back in the hunt” — seriously? Have we been out of the hunt recently and I hadn’t noticed?
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:09 pm

hello win column!

nice sweep by YOUR texas rangers
Dylan @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:09 pm

Man… really great series against a really good team. The arrow is pointing up again.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:10 pm

Did they really say that?
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:10 pm

Great game!
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:10 pm

Two great series against two outstanding teams
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:10 pm

@ryansdad: Yes, unfortunately, they really said that.
Jeffrey @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:11 pm

what did they say the attendance was tonight?
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:11 pm

I might have to invest in a Scooter Jersey. What a great year he is having.
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:11 pm

On to Anaheim!
Juboon @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:12 pm

@Jeffrey: 22-something
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:12 pm

@jeffrey: the ESPN announcers referred to 22,000.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:12 pm

What is the most the Rangers have been down in the division since May? 2.5 games? What a bunch of dicktails.
scooper @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:14 pm

And we came into this game tied for first. It sure is nice to know that we are now back in the race! Thank you for that info, ESPN!
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:14 pm

Ballgame! Great job on national TV. See y’all tomorrow night for a late one!
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:15 pm

I kind of thought he meant back in the hunt as in back to being a contending team this year (as in the late 90s).
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:17 pm

Hmmm, that’s thin Beer Guy. Real Thin.
Kyle @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:23 pm

When you are in first place on July 5th it’s not a “rebuilding” year..the Davis situation needs to be addresed now–primarily for his long term benefit
The Beer Guy @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:23 pm

lol you guys are just paranoid
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:29 pm

No, it is a rebuilding year. I think it’s great the Rangers are where they are. They have played great in their division, but they won’t play anyone in their division in the post season. I don’t think they could beat NYY, BoSox, or Detroit in a 5 game series. Take the steps to put their best foot forward next year. If you can still pull off the upset in the West this year, that’s great. Don’t expect it to end any different than in previous post season appearances. I hope I am wrong.
Ryans Dad @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:30 pm

In the words of the great Steve Earl, just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t out to get me.
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:32 pm

Doug-
I’ve ben frustrated at times, too. But it really depends on the situation:# outs, score.
Fred @ July 5th, 2009 at 10:44 pm

Ryan’s Dad-We may not be totally together grammatically, but, we are totally together on the Rangers’ status. They have a chance to be very special, for quite a while. However, they have to be patient, develop the young guys and not give up on them, and not mortgage the future for a quick fix.
Tom @ July 5th, 2009 at 11:00 pm

What a beating it is reading all the whining about announcing. Thought I was come on here and read some baseball debate/thoughts and I get “Joe Morgan sucks” and “Ian Kinsler is a God.”

This comment thread waste a complete waste of time.
Tom.is.a loser @ July 6th, 2009 at 12:17 am

Tom

Quit your whining