Rangers Win 7-2, Sweep 2 Game Series Versus 1st Place M's

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud:

Padilla pitched a 1 hit, 8 IP game but got a no-decision.

Why? a) the Texas offense managed only 1 run through 9 innings; b) Kinsler booted a likely, probable double play ball with 1 out and runners on 1st and 2nd for an error, allowing an unearned run to score in the 6th.

Rangers left 9 on base, at one point 8 of them in scoring position I think.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining:

Padilla pitched a 1 hit, 8 IP game, more than a "quality start", albeit for a no-decision.

After the aforementioned error in the 6th, in the 7th Cruz tattooed a ball into deep left-center to tie the game. Seriously, it was a, "anything that goes that far should have a flight attendant on it," type of homer.

In the extra inning the Rangers put up six runs, including 4 on a Salty grand-salami to blow the game wide open.

In a non-save opportunity Francisco comes in and closed the game (a run scored but is earned by ODay who put the runner on). Francisco's ERA for the season: 0.00.

Rangers hit the ball well, just never with runners in scoring position until the 10th.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenote(s):

Rangers are .5 back in the division and play 8 games against divisional foes(2 vs. the A's and 3 each vs. the Halos and M's) between now and May 17. We'll know a lot about the Rangers between now and then.

Will Holland get his first start between now and then? Maybe, hopefully, probably, depending on Scooter Feldman's next start. It's just a guess, and nothing against Scooter, I hope he turns into an ace, or a solid 4th-5th starter, he may be. But, goddammit, I wanna see little Doogie Holland, with his pink bag and all, get a start.

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