Well, it’s time to do away with predictions. Game 1 of the World Series was touted to be a low-scoring duel of respective staff aces. Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum both sported ERAs under 2.00 for the postseason. Lee’s October ERA was sub 1.00.
From the beginning one could tell that neither guy had his best stuff. The Rangers had two hits and a walk in the first inning off Lincecum on a Vladimir Guerrero infield single and left the bases loaded. Scoring more in the first inning probably would have changed the tone of the game.
Following a Bengie Molina single and a Cliff Lee double (yes!), the Rangers scored their second run on an RBI sacrifice fly from Elvis Andrus. A 2-0 lead with Lee on the mound sounds great, but I still had more nerves than I expected considering who was on the mound and the reputation of AT&T Park.
In the third, things got a little messy. An error by Michael Young, the first of four by Rangers fielders, allowed Edgar Renteria to reach After getting the pitcher to pop up to Bengie Molina, Lee hit Andres Torres, which is as rare as a walk for him. The Giants took advantage and singled twice to tie the game. In the fifth, Lee surrendered two doubles, two singles and a walk. That could very well be considered a pretty average output against Lee for an entire game. With O’Day summoned to stop the bleeding, a three-run homer by Juan Uribe gave the Giants a six-run lead in the blink of an eye.
Vladimir Guerrero, normally the designated hitter, committed two of the Rangers four errors. I am not sure he should play Thursday; he just didn’t look comfortable or dependable. Difficult call.
Guerrero and the entire team need to regroup and come to the ballpark ready to even the series Thursday. The Rangers did manufacture three runs in the top of the ninth again closer Brian Wilson.
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