After looking forward to his interleague at-bats for years, C.J. Wilson smoked a ball off the outfield hill at Minute Maid Park for a triple to lead off the third inning off starter Jordan Lyles One batter later, he would score to tie the game at 1.
Wilson quickly flashed the Rangers' trademark claw and antlers along with a huge smile. Josh Hamilton homered later in the inning for the first of four two-outs hits. The rally, which accounted for two more runs, gave Wilson a chance to breathe in the dugout after scoring.
Wilson also took a ball off his foot and hand during his time on the mound.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Early Innings Propel Rangers To Victory: Rangers 8 Astros 3
Rangers were off to a shotgun start Monday when the Astros and the Lone Star Series returned to Arlington.
Returning home from the longest road trip of the season, the Rangers jumped out to a 6-0 lead, scoring three runs in each of the first two innings. Leadoff batter Ian Kinsler immediately reached base on a dropped ball by Chris Johnson at third base, which set the tone for the first three innings. Josh Hamilton also singled and Kinsler took third with one out.
The Rangers then went to work doing something they have struggled mightily with for stretches of the season: hitting with runners in scoring position. Adrian Beltre singled, Michael Young doubled and Nelson Cruz contributed a sacrifice fly RBI. Wow, three batters get the job done in a row. If we had one of those hits in Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Braves, it might have been a completely different ballgame. But to look on the bright side, at least the Rangers didn’t waste the opportunities today.
In the second inning, Craig Gentry provided the spark with a one out single, his first of three hits. Gentry also tallied an RBI and a run scored in the first three-hit game of his career. After stealing two bases during Elvis Andrus’ walk, Hamilton tripled off the wall in center, scoring the speedy tandem. Adrian Beltre singled to bring home Hamilton, the sixth run in two innings.
Once the deficit ballooned to 7-0, Astros starter J.A. Happ was relieved by Aneury Rodriguez, who brought a decidedly more controlled tone to the game – two hits spanning the next 4 1/3 innings.
Rangers’ starter Derek Holland received a standing ovation when he left the mound after 7 1/3 innings and a five-run lead. His final line read: 3 earned runs, 6 hits, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts.
Playing in his first Lone Star Series, Mitch Moreland tattooed a Mark Melancon pitch 455 feet into the upper deck in right field to lead off the eighth.
Returning home from the longest road trip of the season, the Rangers jumped out to a 6-0 lead, scoring three runs in each of the first two innings. Leadoff batter Ian Kinsler immediately reached base on a dropped ball by Chris Johnson at third base, which set the tone for the first three innings. Josh Hamilton also singled and Kinsler took third with one out.
The Rangers then went to work doing something they have struggled mightily with for stretches of the season: hitting with runners in scoring position. Adrian Beltre singled, Michael Young doubled and Nelson Cruz contributed a sacrifice fly RBI. Wow, three batters get the job done in a row. If we had one of those hits in Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Braves, it might have been a completely different ballgame. But to look on the bright side, at least the Rangers didn’t waste the opportunities today.
In the second inning, Craig Gentry provided the spark with a one out single, his first of three hits. Gentry also tallied an RBI and a run scored in the first three-hit game of his career. After stealing two bases during Elvis Andrus’ walk, Hamilton tripled off the wall in center, scoring the speedy tandem. Adrian Beltre singled to bring home Hamilton, the sixth run in two innings.
Once the deficit ballooned to 7-0, Astros starter J.A. Happ was relieved by Aneury Rodriguez, who brought a decidedly more controlled tone to the game – two hits spanning the next 4 1/3 innings.
Rangers’ starter Derek Holland received a standing ovation when he left the mound after 7 1/3 innings and a five-run lead. His final line read: 3 earned runs, 6 hits, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts.
Playing in his first Lone Star Series, Mitch Moreland tattooed a Mark Melancon pitch 455 feet into the upper deck in right field to lead off the eighth.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Hamilton and Cruz Carry the Big Weight: Rangers 6 Braves 2
In the midst of their longest losing streak of the season, the Rangers really needed a win Friday at Turner Field in Atlanta.
Somebody in the clubhouse must have spoken to Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz about it. In the 6-2 victory, both men tallied three RBI’s each. Do the math and that means the two of them accounted for all the RBI’s.
Michael Young and Nelson Cruz hit back-to-back doubles in the second inning off Randall Delgado, who was appearing in his first Major League game in the spot start. The consecutive extra-base hits gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead.
Braves catcher Brian McCann would tie the game with a home run to start the bottom of the fourth inning. Starter Colby Lewis, who has truly struggled with the long ball this season, also allowed a solo shot to Freddie Freeman with one out in the fourth,
Friday marked the return of the Colby Lewis the Rangers like to see – the one with the solid fastball command and the confusing diving slider. He struck out 10 and walked five in 6 2/3 innings following two horrific started that totaled just over four innings combined. Also noteworthy, with Jason Heyward at the plate and two outs in the fifth, Lewis made an All-Star defensive play, backhanding the ball to Young at first base for the out.
But now, back to offense. Elvis Andrus reached on an error by third baseman Brooks Conrad. Hamilton stepped to the plate and got a pitch he could drive from an inexperienced pitcher. It flew over the wall for a 3-1 lead and a lot of relief in the Rangers dugout. But Hamilton long blast was just the first of four hard-hit smashes in a row. Adrian Beltre singled as the last batter of Delgado’s night. When Christian Martinez entered, Young singled and Cruz hammered a double to the wall to score both Beltre and Young.
The Rangers added a run in the ninth on three singles and a lineout. Although not a save situation, a well-rested Neftali Feliz threw 11 of 13 pitches for strikes, ringing up two batters in the process.
Somebody in the clubhouse must have spoken to Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz about it. In the 6-2 victory, both men tallied three RBI’s each. Do the math and that means the two of them accounted for all the RBI’s.
Michael Young and Nelson Cruz hit back-to-back doubles in the second inning off Randall Delgado, who was appearing in his first Major League game in the spot start. The consecutive extra-base hits gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead.
Braves catcher Brian McCann would tie the game with a home run to start the bottom of the fourth inning. Starter Colby Lewis, who has truly struggled with the long ball this season, also allowed a solo shot to Freddie Freeman with one out in the fourth,
Friday marked the return of the Colby Lewis the Rangers like to see – the one with the solid fastball command and the confusing diving slider. He struck out 10 and walked five in 6 2/3 innings following two horrific started that totaled just over four innings combined. Also noteworthy, with Jason Heyward at the plate and two outs in the fifth, Lewis made an All-Star defensive play, backhanding the ball to Young at first base for the out.
But now, back to offense. Elvis Andrus reached on an error by third baseman Brooks Conrad. Hamilton stepped to the plate and got a pitch he could drive from an inexperienced pitcher. It flew over the wall for a 3-1 lead and a lot of relief in the Rangers dugout. But Hamilton long blast was just the first of four hard-hit smashes in a row. Adrian Beltre singled as the last batter of Delgado’s night. When Christian Martinez entered, Young singled and Cruz hammered a double to the wall to score both Beltre and Young.
The Rangers added a run in the ninth on three singles and a lineout. Although not a save situation, a well-rested Neftali Feliz threw 11 of 13 pitches for strikes, ringing up two batters in the process.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Explosive 2nd Inning Carries Rangers: Rangers 9 Twins 3
Baseball lore says to avoid the big inning. That holds true, unless of course, the team executing it was the Rangers, who were trying to notch their first win at Target Field on Saturday after going winless last season and losing the first game of this series Thursday.
The Rangers seized control of the game early by hammering Brian Duensing for seven runs on six hits in the second inning. And the hits were not lucky balls that found holes. They were ropes into the gaps and down the lines. Just think, the 11-batter offensive smothering all started with a leadoff walk on a 3-2 pitch to Adrian Beltre. The baseball gods are keenly aware that walks can hurt badly.
After the free pass to Beltre, Mike Napoli doubled him home with the assistance of an outfield bobble during the first of several periods of light rain during the game. Yorvit Torreabla plated Napoli for an RBI single and the first of his two hits. Andres Blanco, playing second base for Ian Kinsler, who should return from paternity leave tomorrow, reached on an infield error at shortstop to prolong the smashing of white balls. But, as a Rangers fan, this wasn’t my misery. I said “Keep it going.”
Elvis Andrus and Craig Gentry apparently heard me and both deposited RBI singles up the middle. Michael Young got in on the act which a two-RBI single breaking an 0-for-18 road skid for the man who is now two games shy of passing Rafael Palmeiro for all-time franchise record for games played (1,573 currently). Despite three hits, Young is still expected to not play Saturday. Beltre added an RBI double in his second at-bat of the inning. Nelson Cruz made two of the outs and Josh Hamilton made the other.
Needless to say, Duensing needed 56 pitches over two innings. (45 in the second inning alone), But Anthony Swarzak provided six innings of two-run relief for the Twins. C.J. Wilson improved to 7-3 for the Rangers.
The Rangers seized control of the game early by hammering Brian Duensing for seven runs on six hits in the second inning. And the hits were not lucky balls that found holes. They were ropes into the gaps and down the lines. Just think, the 11-batter offensive smothering all started with a leadoff walk on a 3-2 pitch to Adrian Beltre. The baseball gods are keenly aware that walks can hurt badly.
After the free pass to Beltre, Mike Napoli doubled him home with the assistance of an outfield bobble during the first of several periods of light rain during the game. Yorvit Torreabla plated Napoli for an RBI single and the first of his two hits. Andres Blanco, playing second base for Ian Kinsler, who should return from paternity leave tomorrow, reached on an infield error at shortstop to prolong the smashing of white balls. But, as a Rangers fan, this wasn’t my misery. I said “Keep it going.”
Elvis Andrus and Craig Gentry apparently heard me and both deposited RBI singles up the middle. Michael Young got in on the act which a two-RBI single breaking an 0-for-18 road skid for the man who is now two games shy of passing Rafael Palmeiro for all-time franchise record for games played (1,573 currently). Despite three hits, Young is still expected to not play Saturday. Beltre added an RBI double in his second at-bat of the inning. Nelson Cruz made two of the outs and Josh Hamilton made the other.
Needless to say, Duensing needed 56 pitches over two innings. (45 in the second inning alone), But Anthony Swarzak provided six innings of two-run relief for the Twins. C.J. Wilson improved to 7-3 for the Rangers.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
It All Went Well At Home: Rangers 4 Indians 0
- Derek Holland pitched a complete-game 5-hit shutout in his first career start against the Indians, the francise nearest to his hometown.
- Holland threw 112 pitches and showed composure during a mid-game bases-loaded jam in which he induced a groundout. In seven of the nine innings, Holland threw 12 or fewer pitches.
- Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz both hit tape-measure shot two-run homers that were estimated at 445 and 440 feet respectively. Note to Indians: We know they were more in the neighborhood of 460-470 feet.
- NBA Finals Game 3 in Dallas tomorrow night! The Rangers say "GO MAVS!!!"
Friday, June 3, 2011
Anatomy of A Blowout: Rangers 11 Indians 2
Even though he’s at the back end of the rotation, Alexi Ogando is quickly becoming the Rangers pitching star. The guy is now 6-0 this season and sports an ERA of 2.20.
Despite the final score, through six innings, it was a 2-1 game, and Ogando was up to the task. He threw 68 of his 100 pitches for strikes over eight innings, striking out six and walking one. The Indians only run off Ogando came in the sixth when S. Choo grounded into a double play following consecutive singles to start the inning.
Ogando looked and acted as if he was headed for a 2-1 victory, but the Rangers exploded in the back third of the ballgame, scoring seven runs on a trio of Cleveland relievers, which have been strength for the 33-22 surprise leaders of the American League Central. With runners at first and third in the seventh, the Indians brought on Tony Sipp for the duty of retiring Josh Hamilton. The opposite happened: Hamilton hit an 0-2 “laser” homerun over the yellow line for a three-run homer and a 5-1 advantage. Nelson Cruz followed his lead, connecting on a two-run shot with Adrian Beltre on second.
With the hot-hitting Mike Napoli and Endy Chavez at the bottom of the order, the Rangers quickly went to work in the eighth on extending their lead. Napoli doubled, Chavez singled (4-4 yesterday, 3-5 tonight) and Ian Kinsler walked. Chad Durbin had to face Elvis Andrus with the bases loaded. The result was a bases-clearing double that hugged the right field line and cleared the bases for a 10-1 lead. For the night, Andrus was 4-for-4 with three singles, a double and a stolen base. Two more singles from the bottom of the order and a wild pitch equaled an 11th run.
Despite the final score, through six innings, it was a 2-1 game, and Ogando was up to the task. He threw 68 of his 100 pitches for strikes over eight innings, striking out six and walking one. The Indians only run off Ogando came in the sixth when S. Choo grounded into a double play following consecutive singles to start the inning.
Ogando looked and acted as if he was headed for a 2-1 victory, but the Rangers exploded in the back third of the ballgame, scoring seven runs on a trio of Cleveland relievers, which have been strength for the 33-22 surprise leaders of the American League Central. With runners at first and third in the seventh, the Indians brought on Tony Sipp for the duty of retiring Josh Hamilton. The opposite happened: Hamilton hit an 0-2 “laser” homerun over the yellow line for a three-run homer and a 5-1 advantage. Nelson Cruz followed his lead, connecting on a two-run shot with Adrian Beltre on second.
With the hot-hitting Mike Napoli and Endy Chavez at the bottom of the order, the Rangers quickly went to work in the eighth on extending their lead. Napoli doubled, Chavez singled (4-4 yesterday, 3-5 tonight) and Ian Kinsler walked. Chad Durbin had to face Elvis Andrus with the bases loaded. The result was a bases-clearing double that hugged the right field line and cleared the bases for a 10-1 lead. For the night, Andrus was 4-for-4 with three singles, a double and a stolen base. Two more singles from the bottom of the order and a wild pitch equaled an 11th run.
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