Nelson Cruz — hurt? in the doghouse? sitting to get his head straight in the midst of a slump? no longer part of the future? something else?

@AJM: Answser coming up. Bottom line: He’s in a slump. He’s 4-for-30 over the last nine games and hitting .146 over the last 14 games. Yes, I would say Ron Washington seems to pull him quicker than other vets. Remember, though, Cruz is a veteran of parts of several major league seasons, but this is first full year.

7:16: Manager Ron Washington said he kept Nelson Cruz out of the lineup for a second straight day because he “thought the lineup we put out there [Friday] did a pretty good job and I wanted to keep it like that.” Cruz is in a 4-for-30 slump.

Asked to evaluate Cruz, Washington said he sees a player with a lot more maturity, but one who still has a some distance to go.

“I’ve seen his focus fade a little bit,” Washington said. “It’s been a good lesson for him.”

[More...] 7:22: Kevin Millwood escapes serious trouble after allowing the first four batters to reach. The old 1-2-3 (pitcher-to-home-to-first) double play made it possible. I love the old 1-2-3, the most sequential play in baseball.

7:25: Citing wear and tear issues, Washington also said he’d like to move Josh Hamilton out of center field for 2010. The question is who would play center. The obvious choice: Marlon Byrd, but is a free agent and its uncertain whether he will return. Washington said if Byrd does re-sign with the Rangers, he will likely be the regular center fielder. The wild card: Julio Borbon. Borbon has lots of speed, but Washington is concerned about his ability to read fly balls and an erratic arm (demonstrated by a wild throw to third from left field in the first inning). Borbon will play center for Aguillas in the Dominican Republic for a month this winter to help hone his fielding. Last year, Borbon played left field for Aguillas.

If the Rangers are eliminated from the playoff chase, Washington said he will likely give Borbon a look in center during the final few games of the 2009 season.

@Ranger Fan: I think coming of a 30-homer season, Cruz’s value will be at its highest. You might be able to swap him for a right-handed hitting DH type. The Rangers are short on right-handed bats. But here’s the thing: What right-handed DH type would be a better option than Cruz?

Evan — Haven’t the Rangers been saying that CF defense is a priority for about a decade or so? Marlon Byrd is not a good defensive CF’er.

@RangerFan — Given that the Rangers’ biggest problem this year has been hitting, why would you want to trade one of their best hitters for a pitcher?

@AJM: Because this team still lacks a big time starter. And because it seems fairly obvious Cruz won’t be here. Where does he go?

Borbon
Murphy
Hamilton
Byrd (Maybe)

If Byrd goes…I think Cruz stays. But honestly, do you look at our rotation and feel like is a playoff-contender rotation?

I don’t think an outfield with Marlon Byrd as the starting CF is a playoff-contender outfield.

looks like a small group here tonight. according to the standings on espn the Rangers have a 1.1% chance of winning the division and .1% chance still at the wc. still some hope to be had with both teams ahead of us slumping

If Hambone is going to be a “Core” player, he needs a big AB here.

Millwood is giving up almost a run per inning so far. That should get worse in the next few innings as he tires. Now would be the time to pull him, if these games are eyed as crucial, but Wash nver pulls Millie until he has put the game out of reach.

The Rays TV announcers have been asking for 2 nights why Hamilton is playing. They are saying he is not using the bottom part of his body and is just using his arms and flailing at the ball. They think he is far from being healthy and wonder what the point is in him playing and possibly hurting himself further.

8:41: Angels down quickly, 2-0, against Oakland. Rangers and Angels entered tonight with identical records for September: 12-11. That’s the hard thing to understand. It seems like Rangers haven’t made up any ground because they haven’t played well. A 12-11 record without Michael Young and Josh Hamilton? Not too shabby.

@Evan–I think you and I are on the same page..I like Cruz and think he could be a very good player..he’s obviously a late bloomer but a lot are..my point is that I don’t think Wash likes him and unfortunately, his opinion is worth more than yours and mine

@PTRF: Adding to that history, they’ve got to make up 8 games in 11 to actually make the playoffs, since there’s still a one-game playoff between them and the Division Series in that scenario.

F’in A Cotton, F’in A

8:56: I’ll ask again: How can the Rangers let Marlon Byrd leave this winter? The only thing that would make it worse is for Byrd to walk in free agency and for the Rangers to bring Milton Bradley, who essentially quit on teammates once it appeared hope for a playoff spots was lost.

I am a huge fan of Hamilton, and wish him well, but I kind of get the sense he will be glad when this season is over. I expect great things from him next year.

It’s hard to comment when you’re working with the radio and gamecast scenario…ps- Buzz is pretty good on the radio..actually I like him on TV too.

8:59: Ron Washington is often questioned for when he takes guys out of games. So, I’ll flip the question: What do you think Tampa Bay fans are saying right now about Joe Maddon’s decision to let Matt Garza stay in the game after Marlon Byrd’s two-out grand slam?

Woo-hoo! So nice to see that bats finally come to life late in the season. We’re gonna need basically this same lineup to get it done next year, so it can only help.

Dang this is all with 2 outs…that seems to be a stength of ours this year…2-out rallies.

I’d think that Madden would drive me nuts in a losing season. Everything’s great when you’re winning, but his self-conscious, “look at me” quirks irritate me when I only hear about him a few times a year. Every day? Yikes.

Ryans Dad still think he regressed?

@Evan, I doubt anyone in Tampa is even watching baseball tonight, they are all getting jiggy with it at the salsa bar.

Social update: Just back from watching UF-Kentucky game at a friend’s house. Tebow took a wicked hit then a knee to the back of the head. He was out cold for several minutes. He’s now in the hospital with a concussion.

In other news, Rangers are winning. Good to see Part Time Ranger Fan back. Maybe I should change my handle to Part Time Poster. But I’m a full time fan. Give us another inning Millwood and let’s bring this one home.

Crazy inning. Agree w/ @lamar the drought was absolutely killer last week. Now the hits and runs are flowing.

come on Hammy!!

That umps arms have to be getting tired waving safe all the time

This scoring stuff is fun!

Ryans first half of season he still would be 0fer with 2 or 3 strike outs.

Anybody knows what the record for most runs in an inning is?

@Ryans Dad : yes mahonney.

I didn’t say he was as bad as the first half of the season DC, just heading back that way. He did however have a good at bat this inning.

I think Maddon should start #47 again tomorrow.

Does Millwood come back out for the 6th? It has been a long time between pitches. If he can, it would save the BP but he may be cold about now.

@Ranger_ve: The Rangers record for runs in an inning is 16, done against Baltimore on April 19, 1996.

Sign from the gods? hmmmmmm me think yes.

Nice job by Millwood to get through six with just two earned. This Tampa team is struggling. I think their bullpen is exhausted and Maddon has to take a little heat for that.

Just in case ya’ll missed my last post around midnight last night, here it is again.

Ryans Dad @ September 26th, 2009 at 12:06 am

Don’t look now, but it is possible for the Rangers to show up in Anaheim on Monday EXACTLY 4 games back of the Angels. This fight ain’t over, not by a long shot! Let’s go Oakland, stay hot baby!

That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen.

Did I really see what I just saw out of CD?

When you’re hot…

I almost wrote Kins is the only O’Fer and then it HAPPENED. Way to Go Kins. I still say he would have 25-30 more Ribbies batting where he is all year vs batting lead-off.

Davis’ bounce hit is the only time Ive heard of that since Yogi Berra doublrd on one in the 59′s

For those that can’t see Davis got a single on a ball that bounced 2ft in front of homeplate.

5-2 Angels

C’mon A’s, start shutting them down.

JnC, Stay off of the bridge.

Tom – no bridges tonight. I am trying to find the words to “We Shall Overcome”

Millwood was on life support and rose to pitch effectively. That dude is down to 15 pitches per inning. It was out of sight after 1 or 2. Dang, I like the new 12 million $ man.

Is not looking good for gaining ground tonight. Despite the 11-run fifth and Oakland’s early lead on L.A., Angels scored six in fourth and now lead 9-2. Rangers could win and essentially still lose ground tonight. Angels would reduce magic number to three with a win.

What a win tonight would mean is that the Angels can’t clinch the AL West outright before the Rangers can get to Anaheim. All the Rangers would have to do is sweep out there to keep hope alive – however slim that hope may be – until the final weekend of the season.

Evan, do you know what Darren O’Day’s contract situation is? Will the Rangers have to offer a lot to keep him? I think he’s been great this year.

JnC You missed your calling. You should be leading protest marches.
Wash is clearing the bench. I hope Richardson gets a shot.

I think I agree with Fred. Interesting

Ryan – now, now. Let Peace, Love, and Understanding wash over your tortured soul.

It is true that the players will be greeting the fans at the gate tomorrow?

Surprised Millwood went seven since the game was out of hand. If you’re a positive thinker, you may want to save those 12 or so pitches for the Anaheim Angels.

10:05: Thanks to Ranger_ve who reminded me that tomorrow, Ranger players will be greeting fans at gates around The Ballpark as part of fan appreciation day. The players should be scattered around the park from about 12:30 until 12:50ish.

I was at the 16 inning Baltimore game in 1996. I remember Orosco getting lit up big-time, among others. I think Brady Anderson also hit a HR for the O’s.

I wonder what the Rays announcers are saying about Hamilton now?

Ryan – repeat after me: I’m smart, I’m funny, and doggone it, people like me!

Kudos to Millwood who had no command early, but hung in and had a pretty nice 7 inning night with 7 hits/2W/2ER
Alsp wpuld be nice if Hammy is locking him. He was starting to look better before his last injury. Now, his last 3 AB looked better

9-7 in Anahiem

31,800+ in the seats tonight. I’m thinking the Rangers tickle 2.5 million this year. I think Scooper was there tonight. Probably the cause of the Great Run Uprising.

Rock on A’s.

Come on Barton!

DO YOU BELIEVE IN UNLIKLIEHOODS! WE ARE TIED IN ANAHEIM

Crap

Living in Reno, I get most of the A’s games….do either of you fellas have the game on?

No, I’m on Game Tracker

Yes I’m watching it. Mike are you getting the game in HD.

Starting to look good

And I spoke too soon again

JD: I did not agree with you back them but now I do. Maybe is the nothing to lose attitude or I don’t know what but the A’s are playing excellent ball.

No HD tonight, but can get many in HD.

I think two of the Ranger games VS the A’s were in HD last week.

Oh, what a day

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oakland retakes lead!!

wow…

This is amazing.

if this season had 25 more games, Oak would win the division!!! Go stupid As!

lol Ryan’s Dad

Yes the A’s have caught lighting in a bottle. Too late but none the less.

Do the A’s and Angels play anymore after tomorrow?

I love the look on scsiosa’s face when that ball when out.

Oh, my.

@Mike, the Angels end the season in Oakland

11:28: A’s just pulled something out of the Rangers’ bag of tricks. Scored six runs after there were two outs in eighth. Once down 9-2, they now lead Los Angeles 15-10. This could end up becoming a VERY important night. All of a sudden, Angels are reminiscent of a very old team trying to hold off a collapse.

Thanks, Ryan’s Dad

@Evan….great point. Still a long shot, but it never hurts to have a little hope that maybe we could still close the deal.

@Ryan’s Dad – hey, probably won’t change ultimate history, but I guarantee you we won’t forget this. Awesome. Just wished I had seen the Rangers’ game – one of the few I have missed since April(though will take the W!).

Dand, “What hath God wrought?” “A’s” are Unconscious.

Well they lost two to NYY and now this so the are 1-4 in the last five. Imminent Collapse?

@evan – what is pitching matchup in As game tomorrow? I can check, but figure you know it by heart. Weaver, perhaps? Who for As? Not Anderson.

Anyone have a list of the Angels probable starters for that series?

…against Texas.

@Adam T: Looks like Angels starters the rest of the way should go like this:

Vs. Rangers: Santana, Kazmir, Weaver. Lackey.

Vs. A’s: Saunders, Santana, Kazmir.

@evan – thanks. broadcast just said the same thing. eehh. Wish we could have faced Saunders. He’s our slump buster.

Their bullpen has worked really hard for the past week.

Bailey is on, Lights out in LA LA Land.

Santana, Kazmir, Weaver and Lackey. Pretty stout, huh? With the offense they have, they are a scary bunch, huh?

I HOPE that we don’t spend the off-season thinking Kazmir was the difference in this thing.

Those fools Galloway and JFE will write a half dozen stories harpooning either JD or Hicks. WHEN 26 teams passed on Kazmir!!

@Jack_Daddy: 26 teams may have passed on Kazmir but only two of them were theoretically competing with the Angels for a playoff spot: Boston and Texas. The Rangers, I’m pretty sure couldn’t afford to take the risk they’d get stuck with him. The Red Sox? No idea why they passed.

@Evan – good point about the Sox. Surprising huh?

Phillies were a surprise. So were Tigers, don’t you think?

MnR. They might still be tuned in and watching to the bitter end.

Or was. It’s final. 15-10, A’s. Rangers are five back. The Rangers can extend the race into next weekend by winning four straight at Anaheim starting with Monday’s game.

Oh, snap. Houston. And Jack Daddy, did you say Leach did not go for a makeable field goal earlier? How long of a field goal would it have been?

They went for it on Fourth and goal from about the 2.

Well, this would go down as a giant gaffe on Leach’s part.

Fun night on the Corner, and I didn’t even join until about an hour ago.

Thanks for creating this community Evan.

Good night all, and seriously, I hope I didn’t offend any Techies out there (or Houston fans with the Cougar High reference). Old habits die hard.

You gotta go for the gusto!

Rangers win, Tech loses. All in all a great night.

Byrd is a huge key for 2010. With him, we can put up a balanced deep offense next year. Without him; Cruz is our only right handed bat in the outfield, with Hamilton, Borbon and Murphy comprising the other four. Then we are banking on Max Ram being healthy and providing a right handed bat at DH. Unfortunately, Byrd probably priced himself out of our price range tonite.

Wake up Ranger fans. Today is the day. Last home game of a great season, we are still in it and the future is Bright.