A .500 roadtrip is far from exciting, but I'll take it. After salvaging two of three in Kansas City, the Rangers dropped two of three in New York against the Mets. Ironically, the Mets' manager has endured criticism and rumors similar to Ron Washington. In April, many speculated Washington would be the first to lose his job this season. Now, it may be Willie Randolph. Call me a softie, but I just don't see what good it would do to fire either of them mid-season. Besides, Randolph has done a good job in the past. But the end of 2007 and the start of 2008 have been disappointing for the overzealous New York fans. I know losing isn't fun, but you can't win every year. Just ask the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team. You also can't continue to lose every year. Just ask the Kansas Jayhawks football team.
Thoughts on Friday's game:
Scott Feldman started out well, with the exception of that balk (which I'm still confused about). He even got his first career hit, but I think running the bases or at least being on the basepath for extended period of time got to him because he unraveled after that, and the Rangers ended up losing 7-1. Texas' lone run came on a Josh Hamilton homer. I wonder how many different ballparks he has homered in now? Do you suppose he will catch Sosa's record someday?
Thoughts on Sunday's first game:
Kevin Millwood looked really good. He battled out there, and while he didn't get a hit (like the other two Rangers pitchers), he kept his team in it and gave them an opportunity to win. A series of misplays endangered the Rangers' 8-2 lead in the bottom of the 8th and the bottom of the 9th. Fortunately, the boys held on and eeked out an 8-7 win.
Thoughts on Sunday's second game:
Kason Gabbard didn't walk anyone. I think that's a very poignant statement, given the fact that was his major weakness before taking a trip down to Oklahoma. Whatever he did to fix it, I hope he hangs onto that and becomes the solid lefty we need in this rotation. He also got his first major league hit, a nice base knock to right-center actually. He had the lead until the 3rd inning, and the game remained tied for three more innings before the loss became official. For some reason, the Rangers decided to intentionally walk Tatis with two out and two on. They had to know Randolph would pinch hit for Martinez, even though he was pitching well. A guy appropriately named Cancel came in to pinch hit and Gabbard was up 0-2 on him before Cancel connected on a two-run single.
My KISS for the series: Ramon Vazquez. Even though he was 0 for 3 in the second game today and didn't even play Friday, Vazquez still gets the honor. I'm beginning to think he really likes game one of double-headers. He was 3 for 4 with 4 RBI in the first game today. (Let's not forget he drove in the final three runs during that historic 30-3 Baltimore killing last season.)
My MISS for the series: I was pretty mad about Ian Kinsler's baserunning today. With two outs and Josh Hamilton at the plate, Ian got caught in a rundown between 1st and 2nd.
((It should be noted that today's games are the only ones I actually got to watch, so that's why my KISS and MISS came from those games.))
I swear I will soon get back in the habit of blogging after every game. Life has just been a bit crazy lately. Friday night, I was up all night and ended up walking eight miles in our annual Relay For Life. (And I realized I forgot the link in that last entry, so it's there this time, and your donations are still welcome!) I crashed all day Saturday and then headed to my hometown for my class reunion.
And if you know where I live and have been paying attention to national headlines, you might know where part of that insanity comes from. Yes, Iowa has been deluged with rain and storms in the past few weeks. Des Moines, Iowa City and Cedar Rapids have probably gained the most attention, but there are surely several smaller communities equally as drenched. Fortunately, I am not in one of them. We had minor flood concerns near our water plant, but as far as I know, everything is a-okay. I'm about sick of the rain by now, and I would really be okay if I didn't see any rain for another month.
That is, of course, unless I can see the Rangers sliding around in it like they did in Shea Stadium on Saturday night. Ha ha!! That footage is classic!! And a real reminder that these guys are really just overgrown boys :)
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3 comments:
That video of the guys doing the tarp slide on Saturday is priceless. That has to be the best 2008 Texas Ranger moment so far, IMO - it was cool to see Milton Bradley out there having fun with the rest of the guys.
The more I see from Milton this year, the more he grows on me - he actually might be working his way onto my favorite players list.
I, too, like Milton. I'm not sure what his future with this team is, but I like what he's providing at the moment. He really seems to jive with the other guys, and I think he's enough of a veteran that some of the younger guys can gain some perspective from him. I appreciate his emotional approach to the game (Michael Young is almost too stoic most of the time), and I honestly hope that will eventually be viewed solely as an asset to him instead of a liability.
Congratulations on completing the relay - what a great thing to do.
Also glad to hear that you are not affected by the flooding - the pictures from those areas certainly are heartbreaking.
I am headed to Washington DC this week looking forward to watching the Rangers and Nationals games on Friday and Saturday!
-- EMC
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