@Chadb – There are too many conflicting sources/stories regarding the transaction.

MLB is saying it’s dead.

ESPN and CBS are saying it’s still on.

Something’s got to give….

Looks like Kaz to the LaA is a done deal.

http://blogs.tampabay.com/rays/2009/08/kazmir-hasnat-heard-anything-yet.html

Evan, NO! What are you wearing on TV right now? Please get some dressing help!

Evan–who would be some comparable minor leaguers that the Rangers would have to include in a trade for Kazmir?

Jimmy, the Kazmir deal— it’s on!

Did Beckett give up a bomb?

Dang, he has been giving up a ton of home runs his late few starts…

@Gun Dog….yeah, that’s the test, it wasn’t the bases he was having trouble throwing to, it was the pitcher…

At some point, either during Sept or in winter ball, we need to put Salt thru a stress test of playing regularly for a stretch and learn if the rehab program is working, or if rest has just hidden the effects of his TOS and he needs surgery. Much better to have the surgery during the off-season and have him ready for next year.

I’m not sure I’d say we are in good shape…but I certainly think we can make at the division.

Hey Anaheim – DESPERATION is a stinky cologne….

Greetings from Westbound I-30 in East Texas. Go Rangers!

Errr. make that EASTbound.

well this doesnt look good at all and is it just me or watching nellie cruz play the outfield is like watching a kid ride his bike for the first time

Seems like the offense is going to need to come through and win another one for us.

Guys lets face it… every team has another team that they own and vice-versa…. The Rangers own the Red Sox and Angels this season, but the Twins and Tigers OWN the Rangers… IF and it’s a HUGE iF, we win 1 out of three, then I’ll be content

Team’s got their work cut out for them. Get the bats out, guys…

I know this is going to sound wierd…I’ve never been sold on Hunter. He got on a role…but he always had so many on base you knew it was going to catch up with him. When I thought about the rotation for next year…I wasn’t ready to write his name in with a Sharpie. I wanna be wrong, but I’m not sure this guy is as good as he looked for a while.

here what it is like to be a ranger fan hunter gets lit up and is struggling majorly and we go up against some spare pitcher who I am sure will turn out to be good and he will shut us down such is a life as a ranger fan

@Fred: Completely agree. I’ve always thought Cruz was better suited for the DH spot. The stats people whip out some rating that says he’s a better OF, but the others seems to catch a lot more balls than Cruz.

In other news, I hate our LHP line up. And why in the world is TT batting 7th…he hasn’t hit his way out of a paper bag this roadtrip.

okay we are now at 1010 strikeouts for the year and is it me or the team looks flat and they have no life to them and we are in a pennant race right???

@Rangers Fan-57 hits in 57n innings and a whp of 1.19. Not sue which Hunter you’ve been seeing with so many MOB

Oh man…is this going to be one of those night? “Duensing as Cy Young candidate” nights, that is.

@Irish: Rangers are 69-83 at Metrodome all-time.

When is Wash going to realize that regardless of the lefty/righty thing, having Borbon in the lineup(pudge behind the plate and either him or murph at DH) is better than dragging Teagarden’s corpse up to the batters box. Its as if he closes his eyes at the start of his swing. Regardless of pitch or placement, there’s Taylor, mindlessly whiffing. Hell, at this point I’d rather let Tommy Hunter hit and DH for Teagarden if we have to save Pudge’s knees. That guy is a AA talent at best, and I like the guy. Seriously, I was a junior at Texas in 2005.

Its nice to know the pitcher can throw to first and not have it go into right field.

@obagain: Which is why the Rangers have/had no shot at him.

@Win’s Dad: That’s a good point, but for that matter, Boston could have, too. You have to wonder why the Red Sox would not have claimed him given their pitching issues.

evan, we have seen pitchers like him before, benoit comes to mind, he has incredible stuff but can never figure out how to use it.

Issues with the mound. Umpires currently look at the dirt at the end of mound, which is clumpy.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ m with JD on this one. 5.92 ERA and $23 million left on his contract doesn’t do anything for me. I’d rather see another Ranger farm hand up here getting experience.

Has anyone really been impressed with Tegarden since he took over starting? He had a great game last game in LAA (The Holland start) but other than that I can’t think of a game where you thought, wow, he called a great game. Is this a case of just not regularly catching all the pitchers? Or am I grasping at straws?

@Pat Austin-They have been protecting Borbon against lefites. He’s looked helpless, and, altho I don’t have the #’s, I think he’d had poor splits in the minors. Plus, his OF skills are a work in progress

@Win’s Dad: Not sure I agree. I’d like to have Kazmir. I fear that Kazmir is bound to haunt the Rangers, first for not picking him in 2002 (and selecting Drew Meyer instead), second for pitching Tampa Bay over them last weekend, and for potentially becoming a regular member of the Angels rotation.

looks like hunter has started to settle in.

@obagain: Right for a 4-5 starter…but I think some people see him higher. I just don’t see him higher than 4.

@Alan: Any team is capable of beating any other team on any given night. I mean, the Nats took 2/3 in New York. THE NATS! I don’t think they’re up there trying to strike out or don’t care and are playing flat. I don’t think they’re really been swinging at bad pitches. They’ve been good pitches. Obviously this kid is one of their top pitching guys so he’s got quality stuff. Teams of other fans probably look at Hollands numbers and think they should dominate. Then he can have a game where he makes the hitters look overmatched. Doesn’t mean he (or a pitcher doing the same thing to the Rangers) is a spare that we should obviously shell.

obagain-we’ll see. hunter does that: bad start, settles in. Had a cheap one in there, too. Bigger concern is the bats

I am not talking about shelling but I do think that if you are a playoff team that you should be able to go anywhere and beat anyone. I am sorry if we lose to this guy tonight that any and all momentum is gone and also what i dont get is why does it seem that the rangers have more excuses made for them well except for the cowboyS first and the mavericks second

are we looking at a no hitter today?

Well done!

@obagain: At this moment, Kazmir, who is 25, has a career record of 55-44 with a 3.92 ERA. I would take that from a 25-year-old any day of the week. Dicey part for me has been injuries. Only one season of more than 200 innings and one other with 186. Over the last four seasons (not counting 2004 when he was up for eight starts or this year), he’s averaged 172 innings per year. That’s going to go down this year. Gotta have more innings pitched. That would be my biggest worry. He dealt against the Rangers over the weekend.

RF, next year I see the rotation like this.
Millwood
Feldman
Holland
Feliz
Hunter
We will still have guys like McCarthy, moscoso, nippert all waiting and ready to step in.
I think we will also be talking about perez filling the feliz role by late july next year.
You could also see guys like kiker and beavan added to the BP next year who could fill in for a starter.

@Rangers Fan- Actually, TT’s glove has not impressed me (his arm has).
He has a disturbing tendency of zoning out (or something). He wiffs on very catchable pitches, altho I haven’t seen many lately. It scares me, for a guy who won’t hit much and the TX nation will never admit isn’t a stud. I watched him in HS. he had a great run end of last year. Now he’s getting the everyday scrutiny, and not looking too good.

@Beer Guy: Yeah, they’ve had some bad games at the plate. Basically the month of June. But I’m just saying you can’t look at a pitcher’s numbers (especially a young guy) and say oh he’s average. We also struggle against a lefthander. This guy is a lefty. And as I pointed out, I hate this lineup. There is something to be said about shaking it up every single day. I still have no idea why TT is batting 7th or why he’s playing tonight but…at this point, that’s not meaningful.

@Fred: Good points, and being honest here, I sometimes wonder whether TT would have as much hype if he were from, say, Idaho or Maine…

I’m not saying it’s 100% true in this case, but sometimes nationalism can get in the way of objectivity.

obagain: I’m still holding out hope we get Sheets. Millwood alone at the top doesn’t comfort me.

@Fred: Agree. Some strong throws, but I’ve just been underwhelmed. And funny…as I read about the missed balls…he missed a ball.

Great recovery/adjustment by Hunter so far!

The Rangers just aren’t working this Pitcher. He is getting out of too many Low Pitch Count Innings. You really need to get into the mid inning BP Pitchers on .500 baseball teams. Rangers show Low Baseball IQ more often than not.

okay first refrence to pitcher doing good against the rangers if they dont get harden or penny they have this guy wow I am impresssed

jays sox tied at 5.

8:23: So after that first inning in which the Twins jumped on a couple of sliders, RHP Tommy Hunter has pitched three scoreless. He’ll go to the fifth. Hunter has 66 pitches through four, so that’s pretty manageable. The thing I like about Hunter – well, I like a lot of things – but the thing I like most is he shows all the traits of an innings-eater. He’s pitched at least five innings in all 11 of his starts this season and he’s pitched into the sixth in all but two of them. He may not have overpowering stuff, but he’s got all kinds of moxie.

@alan: If you can’t see this kid is pitching a good game, then I’m not sure what you’re watching. They aren’t up there hacking at bad pitches. He’s dealing.

News Flash rangers hit .259 as a team lots of pitchers look good against them.

jb this guy is cy young reincarnated tonight and as is usuall some guy who you have never heard of dominates the rangers and that my friends is the story of the rangers past and future

@Word up: They appear to be down on Ramirez right now. He probably won’t get a Sept. 1 callup, which may instead go to Kevin Richardson. I think Salty remains in the organization and I think the market for Teagarden would be low this winter coming off this offensive performance. Quite frankly, I don’t see the catching situation changing for 2010.

Evan i asked Bacsik about the pitch breaks and he couldn’t asnwer either.

RF, the casual fan probably wonders why he gets the hype.
The real fans know why.

looks like we might be getting a better look at this guy now.

@obagain: my point exactly. We didn’t watch him come up through the minors or watch him on a regular basis so we can just call him a spare or not a quality pitcher. Fans of other teams probably look at Holland and think they should be able to do pretty well against him. Some nights you can but sometimes they put it together and embarrass you. I’m not saying this kid is Holland, I frankly don’t know, but just sayin…This guy is throwing his breaking balls for strikes and a good fast with some movement. That’s a good combo.

@Rangers Fan: I’ve personally watched every minor league, high school, and little league game he’s pitched. All I’m going to say is… watch out Nolan Ryan!

How can Cruz only hit .198 against lefties with a Slg% only .356 against lefties?

Crap, he is a tough cookie.

Thanks for the sarcasm, jb.

8:50: Tommy Hunter gets hit in the chest by a Justin Morneau liner. Recovers to get the out and it seems to knock a little bit more break into his curve. Threw some very sharp ones to work another 1-2-3 inning. By the way, he now has qualified for a quality start.

hunter at 81 pitches thru 6.
Not bad considering that rough 1st.

Batting Stance Guy with the WORST impression of Nolan’s 5000th K EVER

That was an awesome inning by Hunter

RF, on a solid hit you are right but sometimes you see those slow liners to short, there is an exception to every rule.

@oba: As Duensing is clearly illustrating with this masterpiece tonight.

RF, I wouldnt stand there and let morneau hit a liner at me, even if it was not real solid.

Teagarden with the automatic out.

See y’all later.

I don’t think Duensing will come out for the eighth.

@obagain: I wouldn’t let anyone hit a liner at me!

@Iram: There is a spot open on the 40-man at this point…I think. Most likely will be used for McCarthy coming off the 6-day though.

What a beating that place (metrodome) must be…

Good recovery for Hunter…solid outing.

Dear Bats,
Please heat up quickly.

Sincerely,

Ranger Fan

Hunter with 7 innings, keeps the team close and lets the BP rest, exactly what the team needs.

@John: Well, I think he looked really good. Got his change ups over for strikes which sets up a good outing. Others, disagree.

Rangers kryptonite this year seems to be soft tossing rookie left handed pitchers

@RF: I agree that Duensing had good pitches tonight. But I wonder to what extent the batters help pitchers look even better by not getting to certain pitches, striking out, misjudging, etc.

The Metrodome is a really odd baseball venue. I am glad the Twins are moving out of it.

Now if we light up their bullpen, I will sing the praises of Duensing!

ranger fan i dont think you are off base but you do half to agree that that the good teams find the way and the pretenders find well just like that a way to lose

okay why was elivs running hmm dont get it at all

Another ball hit hard for a single.

This has to be the inning because Mr Coney Island Hot Dog will finish. He doesn’t allow much.

@alan: you don’t win every single game. it won’t happen. You don’t even win all the games you are supposed to win. What do you think fans in LA and Boston say tonight if they lose? Are they pretenders too?

If they put in CJ I’m going to scream. Quit overusing him.

yes ranger fan and the good teams find a way to get around it and the teams with excuses stay home right?

Don’t see us getting to Joe “Superman” Nathan. Here’s hoping Boston and LA lose. Go Jays and A’s!

interesting that wash still uses the kid with a 3-1 score.

If Holland pitched like the twins pitcher did tonight EVERYONE of yall would be saying how great he is.

impressive.

Jason Jennings coul’ve have done that…LOL

It’s Strop time!

@dc: yup, thats the “homer” aspect of all hometown fans

The point is this sort of thing happens way too often. It isn’t just Duensing. It’s about 12 or more pitchers this year who have been average at best but miraculously “find themselves” when they play us. Then afterwards, they revert to average. Coincidence? I really don’t know, but it’s frustrating.

okay I give that is not my argument at all but whatever you say It is waht it is i guess

@the beer guy: i agree. quite a few pitchers have pitched their season high strikeout games against us

Strop is a converted SS?

and when we are sitting at home with the rangers not in the playoffs then we will look back at this game and many!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! more that will are downfall end of story

beer guy, imagine how many bruises he gave first basemen.

this season’s ranger theme: playing up to the competition, and likewise, playing down to the competition

Is it really that hard for Rangers Hitters to TAKE a pitch????

A. Mauer and Morneau k back to back. B. Mauer strikes out multiple times. C. Welcome to the Rangers Pedro. How often do these happen???

Could we keep this going and pull out a win for the rookie?

ranger fan never mind it doesnt matter you win okay

Wow! So close! Let’s go Hank

yes mike…a foot away.

showing hank some respect, or thinking hank would strike himself out?

Wow….let’s go, Chris!

That was not a stike, I don’t believe.

Not even close to a strike.

wow… Pathetic… If that UMP isn’t disciplined then I’ll be pissed even more

thats BS.

That was a great AB for Davis. Didn’t swing at balls, fouled off to stay alive. Too bad the ump blew it.

Unbelievable. An absolute CRAP call. Get a !^%#ing pair of glasses ump. Awful.

Sounds like alan needs a hug.

You just can’t take that pitch. Glad for the mini rally but CD you can’t take that pitch.

@DC: are the yankees pretenders too?

Keep making calls like that ump, and MLB will put in instant replay for balls & strikes!

@Tom: If he swings and misses at that ball and the tracker shows it outside, people go bananas about not swinging at balls. Can’t win for losing…

tom b, how can he swing at a pitch 3 inches outside?
He cant reach it and would K, you cant swing at an obvious ball 4.

RF must be.

you know how hard it is for a major leaguer to make contact wit that pitch… the bats just aren’t long enough… he barely fouled the previous one off

@DC: Well dang, better call off October because every contender has lost games they “should” have won.

There is no way that ball caught the plate. It was a slider and if you look at where Mauer caught it, it still wasn’t behind the corner of the plate so how could it have crossed the plate. Just piss poor umpiring. I would like to know why MLB decided to put a AAA ump behind the plate when there are 3 other umps on the field who could do it during such an important game for both teams.

Unheralded rookie shuts them down, lost about 3 extra bases to perfect throws and bad hops in the 8th and then the ump just throws in the towel on the last pitch. Wow, that’s a dispiriting game! Just gotta hope the Jays and A’s come through for us and go get ‘em tomorrow.

Davis made the right decision and got screwed for it.

@Fred: I wouldn’t even call that marginal. Granted it wasn’t in the dirt or over his head or something, but it wasn’t visibly close, and I think I’m being objective.

Does MLB even monitor or take any action on missed calls? I’ve never heard of it. Personally, I think umpires do the worst job of officiating in the major sports, well, maybe the NBA is worse. But hockey is a much faster game and they seem to do a real good job.

Ther’s no joy in Mudville…

@RF: Me either. Once in a while you hear an ump personally admitting he blew a call, but never any official sanction. But this guy probably hurt his short-term promotion chances I guess.

I read that Strop can be inconsistent so the thing to hope is that his next outing is just as good!

@Rangers fan: yes nba officiating is indeed the worst

Bad bad strike call. Terrible. I hate getting hosed.

The Twins have our number this year. Every time we play these guys … very frustrating win or lose. The Andrus CS did hurt because you want him out there being aggressive especially since we had DP-itis in NY. I thought Hunter pitched well. And…

…. Hank walked. The drought is over!

Horrible call at the end, but we have to wake up before the 8th. Night all….enjoyed everyone’s comments.

Mike Estabrook..HMP…come on down to Texas, Mike..we need a good little gutless POS who can be intimidated by a home town crowd..we’ll be checking our programs

Strop has been used in relief exclusively.

Mike he pitched relief all year. He was converted from a ss only had a couple years pitching.

smoak was 2-4 with a 2 run HR tonight.

Boston 6-5…

@Rangers Fan, you have become my hero.

Boomer Sooner, baby!

Barajas sticking it to us again.

Freaking Jays. Blow a good lead.

I agree with Stuart, cannot catch a break.

When the Rangers get home from the current road trip they need to tear it up.

@RF, just in case you are pulling a Sims: Sooner!