Baseball at the ballpark. Hard to tell who is who though cause we are all spread out. Saw Ehron, Dan and Evan and I heard a rumor that jb is out here.

Josh lewin just tweeted that andrus is a last minute replacement for visquel who has flu like symptoms.

Let’s go Rangers!

First Frankie and then Omar. Hopefully nothing is spreading.

248, row 14, seat 26. where you guys at? is evan with us up here tonight?

Me thinks it’ll be slow here tonight…

Who would like a do over on the possible Beckett trade from years past? Remember how against trading Blalock we were…if only we knew.

Can see the out of town scoreboard fine from the porch.

It will be slower but we need to make a good showing for evan.
Wish I could have gone tonight.
Hank is looking better and better, we should be able to get a decent value for him.

@obagain: that’s what I’m thinking, too!

RF, not all of us were against it, any time you get a quality starter for hitter you jump on it.
I didnt like the hamilton trade for that reason, it has worked out but that was a huge gamble for each team.

I like it but what was he thinking trying to go for 2?

maybe 50 lbs ago papi…

RF, you dont give hank away but we have replacement for him so if we can get a couple of good prospects I would in a second.
We will not resign him so if we can get a piece for next year, especially if it is a aa 3b prospect I am for it.

Nice to see Kins take a pitch or 2 and then line one inside the bad, the Blalock get on top of one for aline drive 2 RBI’s. Even Young’s out was a hooking liner.

so, remember a week or so ago, when I mentioned the MLB.tv free trial? Turns out it wasn’t til 7/21, it was for 10 days, which started for me on the 10th – so I’m back to streaming the radio broadcast and using gameday. BOO @ MLB Advanced Media

How huge would it be for hunter to out pitch beckett.

I can see a hang nail being a problem for a knuckle baller, the way they dig the nails in. Can throw it with a severed leg, but ned pain free nails.

@jb

I think a number of us are in 247, rows 2-8 or so.

I’m for trading Hank, but not just for the sake of trading him. If no real value offered, keep him and see what happens later.

Almost totally off the wall question

I heard a rumor that Omar has 3 pet kangaroos. Can anyone verify this?

If it’s true, I can’t believe Lewin hasn’t been all over this quirky fact already.

@Ben…yes. Pictures have surfaced.

Fred, exactly right, if you are trading him for 3rd teir prospects just let him play the year out.

@Ben – they were all about it like last sunday vs Seattle. He brought them for show and tell and Hank was appearantly a big fan.

@Fred- Davis singled and Smoak grounded into the inning ending double play.

those of you at the game, what’s the ratio of rangers fans vs boston “fans” tonight?

Tommy Hunter’s MLB.com pic makes him look like Richard from “The Real Estate Pros” (someone out there with a wife has to know who I’m talking about!)

RF-Smoak need time to grow and refine there, hope Davis hits his way back to Arlington by the deadline, not matter what happens with Hank.

They have changed the infield grass twice this season.

It is good to see boggs is back in the lineup in OKC, you never know how a shoulder will react.

@jackman: Heard an interview with Kinsler where he said the same thing. He said visiting teams complain after every series and players ask him when they get to second base whats the deal with the grass.

What is Hamilton’s deal…he’s looked way over-matched. We need the old Josh back…

RF, I wish they would have left hamilton in AAA for another 2-3 games, he was not exactly lighting it up down there so he could have a little more time to get his timing.

I almost wish they would buy some of that green grass spray paint that Billy Mays was pitching before he passed. Spray paint the bad spots so it won’t look so bad from a distance.

Off topic but I was going thru my baseball cards today looking for a card for someone and came across a gastonia rangers minor league set from 1987, gonzalez, sosa, palmer and pavlik.
Sosa is listed at 6′ even and 165 LBS. He filled out a bit later in his career.

Freakin Nice Play Kinsler

Hope he didn’t bruise his ribs (or worse) on that ridge. Hank had no play from the angle he took. That’s 2 nice plays on foul pop ups for Kins tonite

i’ve been really impressed with hunter thus far. very composed for a youngster, and his pitch count is only at 50 through 4

I know they used to have TifWay 419 from Tri-Tex Grass because I had them sod my yard. But they must have switched companies. Infield looks good but RF, foul lines, and behind homeplate looks bad!

@RF-I had the same thought (about padding)

I like that Hicks needed money so bad that he added those two rows on each side and made foul territory even smaller. If you have seen those walls up close they look like they were put up fast and cheap.

@fox: that’s because they were.

Hey-If Hicks won’t fix the rip in the RCF fence pad (which makes us look like trailer trash), he’s not about to add more padding

Good thing we had byrd in right, no way cruz gets there.

I believe the new grass is a hybrid. Kentucky Bluegrass/Northern California Sensamilla/Featherbed Bent.

Def like Byrd has played Im sure gives Hunter confidence to go after the hitters

@obagain- He probably would, but he’s getting to be a pretty damn good 2B, and those are harder to find. Hes not a bad athlete

Dan, wondered if anyone was going to use the caddy shack reference.

@justsaying: hunter is still a rookie,

I don’t think we have any shortage of outfielders so I doubt they would make that move.

Foxsports Under the Lights series features the Groundscrew this weekend!!! What great timing for that commercial!

I’m going with Kinsler so far.

@JS-Yes, Hunter’s a rookie. I was just thinking about what a difference from the last time Boston saw him. At the risk of incurring wrath, he reminds me (size, guts, pounding strike zone) of the mich maligned RickHelling when he was our ace in better years.

section 247 row 8 sitting next to my little girl at her first game…..she one that has eaten everything

@obagain: agree on Harrison. he has shown flashes of excellence, but he is inconsistent and on the DL too much to be untouchable.

@justsaying…woah woah woah…you think this is the best start all year???

I could be wrong, but I think Justsaying was talking about Harrison.

Hunter, this year vs. last, might give those who are giving up on Holland something to think about. Yes, I know Hunter went back down, for a while.
It’ll be interesting to see how Hunter does now that the Bosox have seen him a couple of times. So far, so good while I was typing (with 2 fingers).

He is looking better than helling did.
That brings up an interesting point.
The BP is known as a launching pad, does that mean our pitchers are even better than what their era says because of the park or was the park a launching pad because our pitching, until this year, was just that bad?

That was an awfully nice curve he just broke off on the all star 2B–then didn’t get the call on the next one.

What timing on the Batting Stance guy!

Warm night with high humidity and hunter doesnt appear to be tired at all.

Had them both into 2 strike counts…gotta be able to get the out.

@Apples

sadly it’s at least 1:1 Rangers to Sox fan.

@fred: I was being a little facetious. I don’t really care too much what anyone thinks of me (or my opinions).

Nice pitch from the kid.

Lewinism #1 for the night. “The Big Pop Up” That is Terrible.

Without question Scoop

Scoop-After almost 4 months of the season, I know you well enuf to realize that you speak your mind and damn the torpedos. I was just using the opportunity to morn the fact that very old ex-coaches have little to lose in the court of (younger) public opinion.

i was referring to harrison’s streak…..it goes back to last year and it is the best start (callup) of any of the golden arms……

I would but you start someone warming at the start of the inning.

I feel a HR coming on.

@fred: I seriously doubt that you are too much older than I am.

Ok, don’t trust my feelings anymore.

@obagain: I agree. there wasn’t much hope, but you don’t just give it to them.

beckett has averaged 10 pitches an inning since his 22 pitch 1st inning. not too shabby

mlb.gameday had that pitch totally in the strike zone.

as did espn gamecast

Bad call on that strike. Maybe Wash wanted to bring in Jennings now because he is better to start off an inning. If Evan was here he would be happy.

how did the ump miss that??

I would of started Hunter. He deserved the chance.

I think thats why Hunter starts the inning. Grilli comes in if he gets into trouble. Jennings has the 8th.

@fox: I agree.

Get the K

Matt, you are preaching to the choir.

That is pathetic. Jennings is the rested pitcher.

Jennings really needed to help the team and is not doing it.

1) OK, no excuses for Jennings, here.
2) Scoop-try 74!

True, Fox. Got himself out of it…that was close.

@scoop-OOps, typo. 64. Even I’m not 74 yet.

@fox: true.

Chris Davis just had a 12 pitch at bat…grounded out but still…good things are happening for him

Scoop-When I was your age I was still young, and big. Still paying softball in the heat.

That is you want speed on the bench.

Not here to argue the merit of his decisions. He makes some crazy moves some times, but they are not “idiotic”.

Good decoy by Bosox RF, but Jones runs like Papi (or like old folks make love)!

Crooked number would be nice here.

I like Murph here. I said it before Josh.

…not to mention that I screwed up my shoulder and it never healed right. I couldn’t throw a ball back to the pitcher right now.

hahaha wow…that was a hard slide! Good effort!

Jones looked sloooowwwww.

Jones is sloooowwwww!

Lord, that was like watching a hippo in a 30 yard dash, But God bless him, he rolled across the plate

Fred, that comparison made me laugh out loud. You gotta love the faces on Kinsler and Cruz when he was coming back to the dugout too..hah

Hippos are kinda fast, I think. Or is that Rhinos.

Gonna have to start leaving twinkies on home plate when Jones gets on base.

did Eyre go last night?

why didn’t blalock go to second on the murphy fly ball……

Eyre didnt pitch last night

I’d go with Grilli at this point but…

o’day in eighth? who is closing?

One thing that annoys me about wash, he’s said several times that he was going to rest salty more yet it’s doesn’t happen. I really think it would help salty and Teagarden deserves more time.

@Scoop-don’t start me. Between FB/BB/BB and track, I had 2 knee operations by the time I was 20, plus permanently separated shoulder, and, later, a torn MCL, tore my one remaining meniscus, tore my rotator cuff, subscapula, adductor muscle in my thigh and a fore arm tendon., plus assorted broken fingers and toes. I was a catcher, too, through the 1st broken finger. I’ll give you a hint for the future, old age (especially for old jocks) ain’t for wimps. But at least it got me a college education and a job.

I haven’t been overly impressed with Tegarden this year…maybe he hasn’t had a lot of time. Not sure.

Way to gut up O’Day! Now for the 9th…yikes, who will it be…

@fred: I’ve kinda figured that out. the problem is, I am a wimp!

I think that would be 3 for Eddie also

I figure we score 5 in the 8th, and don’t have a closer.

Oh, then I withdraw my objection.

WHAT! CJ is warming up in the pen…that is a HORRIBLE idea. Soon we’re gonna have no closer.

@fred: here is the true test for an ex-catcher – do your thumbs pop out of joint when you use a manual can opener?

Good time for one of those big flies Kins likes to hit.

manual can opener? What’s that? Do you have a manual refridgerator too?

@all: just for a second – think of this team next year (with a year’s experience under their belts).

As good as a bunt

They should let elvis steal home.

@rangersfan: I agree. I wouldn’t let c.j. pitch tonight. maybe if he had only thrown 1 inning in those last 2 appearances, but Wash is asking for trouble.

Scary watching Elvis step on bat

anyone complaining because Hamilton swung at the first pitch?

1. Hamilton needs to come through.
2. I’m not kidding…if CJ gett hurt. Fire Washington. You can’t do that.

THANK YOU HAMMY!

And fail fail…fails. He did’t run hard that time.

Here comes CJ…he shouldnt be pitching.

NO reason for CJ to come in now atleast till theres trouble.

@last–hairline’s great and not much grey, but fortunately , I’m of well above average height, because there ain’t much left in back. I try not to sit down w/o a cap.
@scoop-broke one thumb (admit it was in basketball), but the other’s OK.
I always remember the description of shaking hands with Yogi (Garagiola??) “shaking hands with him was like shaking hands with a bucket of bolts” Coaches decided I might be able to pitch and saved my hands and groin. When i did,t pitch, stuck me at 1st, or CF (depending on who else was on the mound).
I have always suspected that you and I are kindred spirits–throw backs, even if you are still a bit wet behind the ears.

this reaks of desperation, almost as much as pitching Frankie w/ a 5-run lead. No one game is worth risking a player’s health.

Yeah, Fred, I think we are, too.

@fred: you would think that my right thumb would be OK, but it is from tag plays at the plate. Yes, I am from the old school. I was taught to use both hands on the tag, not the swipe tag that is in vogue now.

@Bobby: 4 1/3 innings (2 on Sunday, 1 1/3 yesterday, and one tonight)

Thank you!

HELLO WIN COLUMN!!!!!!!!!!

WHERE ARE THE HATERS?? That was gutty…CJ, wow!

wash is playing with fire…….

Gotta take my hat off to CJ. I never liked him, much. Air head/attitude, but he’s been a MAN the last 2 nites.
And, yes, Elvis did not look like a 20 yr old rookie in that run down. The kid has instincts.

If ain’t broke, dont’ fix it right? But should the Rangers look at CJ as a starter again? Not this year of course…..

I am REALLY HAPPY thinking about this team next year (and NO, I am not writing off this year). I just expect great things, next year.

@scooper: fair point, hopefully he won’t pitch tomorrow. but with wash, ya never know…….

I wonder if the Angels will lose another game this year?

“Big Thunder” – now we have a nickname for Hunter.

@fred: maybe we’ll meet one of these days! I certainly hope so!

No Ranger starter is going to go past the 6th inning until the weather cools. And the Ranger bats are not going to be scoring a bunch of runs either. We’ve got to get some fresh bullpen arms up here and the hitters are going to have to score more runs to protect that bullpen.

They have to clear a spot on the 40 for Feliz. and they need another infielder, too.

RF- You’ve got a 40 man roster prob to work out, there

@Fred: I would be honored to consider you a friend. Thank you! I must admit that this is the first time that I have made a friend on the internet (I guess that dates me, too, huh?), but this seems like a good time to start!

@Rangersfan: Dang you, Wash. He shouldn’t have pitched C.J. tonight. Then he would be available tomorrow. Frankie can’t help having walking pneumonia.

Unless it’s Salty, the first bunt is ALWAYS a foul ball (well, OK, maybe 95%). And they should go 1 more inning with O’Day in my book. But they won’t. Wash is sometimes too willing to be unconventional.

I’m talking about available to play. You have to handle him with care this year…and that’s not a good feeling.

Bobby in Bryan– I’ll bet you a nickle Millwood goes 7 in his next 3 starts

@Jack: you were in 247 row 2?!?!?! i was in row 8 isle!!!! i yelled your name but saw no response so i thought that wasn’t you.