Monday, April 28, 2014

How many games are the Rangers going to win when they score zero runs? Rangers lose to A's 4-0

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: The A's continue to be Yu's kryptonite. Of course it's not like he got ANY run support as the Rangers offense put up a goose egg. And the A's hurler Gray was pretty darn good throwing a complete game 3 hitter.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: I got nothing. The Rangers got dominated.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: Perez throws for the Rangers tomorrow and if Yu isn't careful he will find himself being considered the 2nd best starter on the team behind Perez.

Rangers are now 1 GB of the A's in the division.

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Rangers lose 2 out of 3 versus Seamen heading into home series versus A's

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: Rangers pitchers gave up a lot of runs in three games against the Mermen, 6, 3 and 6.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: The offense also put up a fair amount of runs, in three games versus the Seamen, 5, 6 and 5. It's just that the defense/pitching gave a few too many runs. Of course if the Rangers offense continues to average 5-6 runs per game, I'd be OK with that.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: Next up the A's and going into the series the Rangers are tied for first in the division versus them.

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Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Sweep? Sweep! Sweet! Can you say first place Texas Rangers?

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: Prince was 0-fer? I don't know, I don't have much.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: Martin Perez pitched a complete game shutout for the win. Awesome.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: Yeah, that's right, the Rangers rolled into the Land of Oak, depleted by injuries, and swept 3 from the at the time first place A's. Now the Rangers lead the division by .5 games. Game/division race on.

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Rangers rally in the top of the 9th, beat A's 5-4

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: Nick Martinez had a few tough innings to start the game.

With Kouzy pulled in the middle of 4, Josh Wilson was pressed into service at 3B and committed an error that put men on 2B and 3B with 1 out. And it cost the Rangers 2 runs, unearned, and allowed the A's to take. 4-3 lead.

Wasted lead off double by Mitch in the top of 9, he was bunted over to 3B representing the tying run, then Martin bunts but Mitch doesn't head home till well after the bunt was laid down. The bunt was right back to the pitcher and it was a relatively easy out at home plate. Terrible play, just not sure whose fault it was. Did Mitch miss the sign, break too late or did Martin bunt on his own?

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: Nick got out of a bases loaded 1 out jam on a double play flyout to CF, with Martin then gunning down the runner at home in the bottom of 2. Then in the bottom of 3 Nick had a 6 pitch, 3 up 3 down inning.

Prince continues to at least get a base knock here and there.

After Mitch is thrown out at home on a terribly executed bunt play, Josh Wilson tied the game with a double that scored Martin from 2B(Martin had just stolen 2B). Then Choice hit a single that scored Wilson from 2B to take the lead 5-4.

Soria got the save.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: Choo was hurt in the opener versus the A's and was out of the lineup tonight and likely will be out for a few games.

Kouzy was lifted in the middle of the 4th with back stiffness. Of course it was in the mid 50's
temperature-wise to start the game so hopefully that's all it is, cool weather causing muscle tightness in Kouzy's back.

I tell you what, the Rangers have shown a knack for scoring runs against the bullpens they've faced.

Rangers deliver the A's first back to back losses of the season.

Rangers are .5 GB now behind the A's.

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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Rangers win opener in Land of Oak 4-3

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: Yu has had trouble versus the A's in his short career, when compared to his performance versus other teams the A's appear to be his kryptonite.  He had a 1-6 record versus the A's going into the game tonight.

Tonight Yu gave up 3 ER's in 6 IP.  That doesn't sound so bad but Yu only had one 3 up, 3 down inning all night.  It was an adventure.

Elvis had a huge throwing error in the bottom of the 9th that put the tying run on 2B with 1 out.  Could have been terrible.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: As opposed to a lot of other outings versus the A's, Yu got some run support, getting out of the Land of Oak with a no decision.  Choo went yard to lead off the game and Prince continued to produce at the plate (2-4), he even had a double (sure it's not a homer but it showed some power).

Kouzy was named the AL offensive player of the week after his great performance last week filling in for the injured Beltre, not too shabby.  And Kouzy continued his hot streak at the plate tonight, scoring the go ahead run in the bottom of 8 after a lead off double.

Soria absorbed the Elvis error in the bottom of the 9th and got the save.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: With Kouzy performing so well at the plate don't the Rangers have to find a spot for him in the batting order when Beltre comes back?  Moreland has been OK but nowhere near as good as Kouzy.  I could see Kouzmanoff DH'ing for the Rangers.  Hopefully the Rangers can too.

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Sunday, April 20, 2014

Rangers take 2 out of 3 in weekend series versus White Sox

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: The winning streak was stopped at 5, with the Rangers losing the finale/getaway game badly today.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: Colby Lewis was good in his start yesterday only giving up 1 ER.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: The Rangers travel to the Land of Oak for a 3 game set against the A's. Your Rangers trail the A's by 2.5 going into the series. Yu starts tomorrow night in the opener of the series. Hate, hate, hate the west coast road games. So hard to stay up that late and watch them because the games don't even start till after 9pm our time.

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Thursday, April 17, 2014

Rangers win series versus Seamen, win a daytime getaway game and have a...what do you call it? Oh yeah, a 3 game winning streak going!

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: Scheppers a starting pitcher he is not. 6 ER's. Ouch.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: The Rangers' offense bailed out a poor outing by a starter. Prince had another hit, 2 BB's and no strikeouts. All but 2 Rangers batters had at least 1 hit. And Kouzy (my nickname for Kouzmanoff) was 2-5.

The bullpen held the M's offense from doing any more damage.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: Is it sad that we're all so excited that Prince didn't go 0-fer? Is it sad that we're so excited about a 3 game winning streak?  Don't care, it's great.

Also, is it too early to be watching the standings? Also don't care, Rangers are 1.5 GB with A's yet to play tonight.

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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Rangers win walk off style 3-2 versus Seaman, somehow...

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: The offense was poor most of the game.  Yu gets a no decision, again because of the lack of run support.

Leonys Martin and Choo had a circus moment in the outfield that somehow, when I saw the game, was scored as a hit.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: Rangers win!!!

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: The Rangers continue to be King Felix's kryptonite.

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Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Robbie Ross awesome, Rangers' offense good, Rangers beat Seamen 5-0

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: Only 2 solo homers in the 2nd inning represented all the Rangers' offense until the 8th inning.

Ogando came in with a 2-0 lead and a man on 1B in the 8th and immediately proceeded to walk the first batter he faced.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: Robbie Ross was great, 7.2 IP, 0 runs, no BB's.  The offense woke up in the bottom of 8 putting up 3 additional insurance runs.

Prince and Kouzmanoff each had solo homers in the 2nd.  And Kouzmanoff was 3-4.  And again, Prince wasn't 0-fer.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: A marquee match up between aces is tomorrow, King Felix vs. Yu.  Hope it's good and a Rangers win.

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Monday, April 14, 2014

Errors and lack of offense doom Rangers in loss to Seaman

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: Errors kill.  Errors give the other ball club extra outs and the Mariners made the Rangers pay.  3 errors way are too much for this incarnation of the Rangers to overcome.

Question:  And how many games are you going to win when you score 1 run on 7 hits?
Answer:    Not many, including this game.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: If I would have told you Colby Lewis would go 5+ IP in his first start with 3 ER's and no BB's you'd have been happy right?  Well that's what he did.  Not too bad.  And the whole pitching staff had only had 4 ER's.

Wash got thrown out, good to see he still cares, even if he got thrown out after a replay decided Arencibia committed and error on a force play at home on the transfer of the ball from his mitt to throwing hand.

Prince had a 2 bagger along with a single so there's that.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: To answer Raw Athleticism's questions in comments re Prince, it is neither too early or too late to worry about Prince's offense.  Any time is the right time to worry about his offense.  Of course tonight he went 2-4, so all he needs to do is keep up going 1-3 or 2-4 in every game the rest of the way to maybe bat .250-.275 by the end of the season.

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Sunday, April 13, 2014

Rangers take 2 out of 3 versus 'Stros, barely.

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: The Rangers only scored 1 more run than the 'Stros in the 3 game series this weekend, out scoring them 7-6. That's for 3 games, not one. Yeah, the offense has not been impressive to say the least, and that was the Ranger's offense going up against Houston's pitching. Case in point Prince had 1 hit in the series. ONE.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: The Rangers won the series. A win is a win.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: 4 against the Seamen are next. And Mr. Colby Lewis is the listed starter for the next game. I would just like the offense to give him some run support. That'd be nice.

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Wednesday, April 9, 2014

The bullpen lets us down. Again. Rangers lose series versus Bo Sox. Prince 0-fer. Again.

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Tuesday, April 8, 2014

All the Rangers get at least 1 hit (except for Choice and Wilson), Rangers hang on and win 10-7

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: Beltre was DH'ing and left the game in the 6th with tightness in his left quadriceps. The bullpen again was shaky as the Rangers hung on for the win.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: Offense finally showed up. And Prince contributed. Perez looked good throwing 5 double plays. The ER's look bad at 4 in 6.1 IP but yet again the bullpen doesn't help a starter out allowing all 3 the runners Perez allowed to get on in the 6th to score.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: The Rangers have to start winning series. They get another chance tomorrow in a rubber game versus the Red Sox.

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Monday, April 7, 2014

Return of the Scheppers (versus the Red Sox), Rangers lose 5-1, but this loss was not Scheppers' fault...

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: Fielder still looked lost at the plate, he went 0-fer again.  But the whole team was bad offensively, 1 run on 8 hits and 2 BB's.

2 errors were committed in the game, 1 by Prince.  If he's not going to hit Prince sure better not commit errors playing 1B, even on tough, push-bunt plays late the game.

How many games are you going to win when you have more errors than runs?  Not many.

Scheppers gave up a lot of hits. Rangers pitchers generally allowed a lot of base runners.

And again the bullpen is shaky to bad.  And again that's a symptom of relievers being starters (Scheppers and Ross) and the new, young bullpen pitchers not being up to the task.  Thus you have the bullpen being handed a 2-1 deficit and that eventually turning into at 5-1 loss.

In top of 7 Rios stole 2B, no outs.  Moreland moved him over to 3B, 1 out.  Rangers ended up stranding Rios and Martin and were still down 2-1 wasting a great chance to at least tie the ballgame up.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining:  But regarding Scheppers, he only gave up 2 runs through 5 and left the game losing 2-1, leaving the Rangers in striking distance.

Rios again looked good at the plate and aggressive on base pads.

And though Scheppers allowed a lot of base runners, he managed to force the Sox to strand all but 2 of them.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: Given the amount of Red Sox base runners in the 1st through 7th innings it was a MIRACLE that it was only 2-1 going into the 8th.

Ex-Rangers (Napoli and Pierzynski) were a combined 6-8 at the plate.  And ex-Ranger Koji Uehara closed out the game.  Ouch.

I would hate to have Lackey on a team I root for given the way he shows up teammates by yelling like an idiot on or around the mound when a play on defense behind him doesn't go his way.

Wash lost his first challenge of the year early in this game when Elvis dropped the ball on the transfer between his glove and throwing hand at 2B trying to turn a double play.  It sure looked like he did catch the ball and just lost it in the transfer.  Apparently the umps in NYC saw it differently and the national ESPN broadcast team said that the double play transfer was going to be officiated more closely.  Error on Elvis.

Today is the 25th anniversary of the premiere of the great, classic baseball movie Major League.  Do we need to sacrifice a live chicken for Prince to starting hitting?

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Sunday, April 6, 2014

Just what Yu Wanted, Rangers Win 3-0

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: Prince was 0-fer again today. Eventually they're going to need him to start producing.


Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: Yu was great, the bullpen was good. And the offense produced just enough. Heck, Elvis even went yard!

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: I tell you what, with the job Choo has done offensively I haven't found myself once this young season thinking, "man I wish we had Kins."

Oh yeah, one other thing, Yu is now the pitcher to reach 500 K's in the fewest innings pitched in MLB history. Ever. In the history of Major League Baseball. Impressive. Most impressive. 

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No good deed goes unpunished, Nick Martinez optioned to AA Frisco

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: All Nick Martinez did was hand the Rangers a chance to win last night and this is how they repay him? And from one start it sure looks like Martinez is a WAY better MLB starting pitcher than Saunders and Scheppers.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: Yu is coming back today and they had to make room on the roster for him. And Nick Martinez could use some more time in the minors to fine tune his game.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: Plus, given that the injury bug has attached itself to the Rangers like the poltergeist attached itself to Carol Ann, I have a feeling we will see Nick Martinez again this season.

Read more...

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Rangers @ Rays, Nick Martinez vs. David Price... Nick who??? Rangers lose 5-4 to Rays, not Nick Martinez's fault

The Nick Martinez (NM) adventure began tonight...

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: The bullpen was handed a 4-3 lead going into the 7th and could not deliver the win.  And I know it's early in the season but Prince Fielder has not been that impressive, and was 0-fer today.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: Yup, Nick Martinez left the game with a lead, not too bad for his first MLB start.  Jeff Wilson, Choo and Elvis had a multi hit game.  Rios drove in 2.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: The injuries to the starting pitchers of course affects the bullpen, instead of Robbie Ross and Scheppers coming into the game into a game the Rangers are winning in the 7th and 8th you get Frasor and Cotts.  When your unknown 5th starter hands you a lead after a good, solid outing you have to make that hold up.  They didn't tonight.  Darn.

Yu makes his season debut tomorrow.

Top of 4:
Jeff Wilson got another hit, second for the game.

And the Rangers made David Price throw a lot of pitches, in this inning and in the game to this point.  And and Choo had a long at bat, came back from an 0-2 count and eventually had a sac fly to score the runner from 3B.  Awesome.

Rangers tacked on another run, 4-1 Rangers.

Bottom of 3:
I wasn't expecting NM to shut out the Rays.  NM made a mistake and Escobar hit a solo homer to LF.  That homer got out the yard in a hurry.  No other harm done.  Rangers lead 3-1.

Top of 3:
Rangers retired in order.  Price looked like he settled down after the Rangers got to him early.

Bottom of 2:
NM got out of some trouble.  Rays stranded 2 runners.  Rangers still winning 3-0.

Top of 2:
Rangers tack on another run.  3-0 Rangers.

Bottom of 1:
The Nick Martinez (NM) adventure is about to begin...

3 up.  3 down.  Not too shabby for NM's first inning of pitching in the bigs.

Top of 1:
Choo is just a great lead off hitter.  Again he got on base to start a game.

Elvis' beard looks fake.

2 out double by Rios scored Choo and Elvis.  Rangers winning 2-0.

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Check it out, TTRB is a member of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance!

The good folks at the Baseball Bloggers Alliance have allowed little ole TTRB to join their ranks.  It's got to be official, they sent me a logo and everything that I put up here on the left side of TTRB.  And click here and you'll see TTRB listed as one of the blogs for your Texas Rangers.  I think it's pretty cool.  Thanks to the Baseball Bloggers Alliance letting us join their group.

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Friday, April 4, 2014

Late to the game live blogging: Revenge of the Saunders...

[If you happen upon this during the game, refresh this page every once in a while to see new posts.]

Rangers lose 8-1. By the way, are 4 errors bad?


OK, I'm out unless there's a huge rally.

Bottom of 7:
Figueroa (Figs) gets another chance for your Rangers to lower his gianormous ERA.



Top of 7:
Is it bad to have 3 hits entering the 7th?  Just wondering?

A challenge by the Rays is going to upheld, 3rd out.  Inning over.  8-0 Rays.  Crap.

Bottom of 6:
BS error called on Beltre's throw to first.  Prince should have scooped it.  Again, BS.  Hit, error, 2 runners.  No harm.  Inning over.

OK, 3 runs an inning and hold them and then we're tied.  Yeah, I know it's not likely.  Don't mock me.

It's the middle of 6
Rangers' starter Saunders was, to be nice, underwhelming.  8-0 Rays.  Ouch.  Welcome to the backside of the Rangers' current starting rotation.

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Thursday, April 3, 2014

Day off for the Rangers...

...next up @ TB. Joe Saunders takes the mound for the Rangers. Friend of mine told me not to expect much from Saunders. Hope he's wrong.

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Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Live blogging: Rubber Game Versus Phillies

[If you happen upon this during the game, refresh this page every once in a while to see new posts.]

Rangers win 4-3.  Two nights in a row the Rangers win in the bottom of 9.  Wow.  After the Rangers offense does very little most of the game, the Rangers win in appropriate fashion: Choo drawing a walk with the bases loaded to win the game.  I'll take it.

Yeah, I know it's early but, that was a big win.

And thanks to you guys for the great comments.

Bottom of 9:
Hopefully Papelbon is not that good.  Or the Rangers offense wakes up.  Or both.

Lead off 2 strike single by Beltre.  So you're saying we have a chance.  6th hit of the night for the Rangers.

Double by Moreland.  Beltre just cannot run like he used to and couldn't score on the double.  Runners on 2B and 3B, 1 out.  Adduci can be a hero.

Nubber down the 3B line scores Beltre.  Adduci beats the throw to 1B.  Runners at the corners, 1 out.

By the way, Papelbon has "small mouth."

Martin base hit up the middle, scores Aducci.  Tied game.  Wow.

Now Donnie Murphy can be a hero.  Lots of chin music by Papelbon.

Papelbon walked Murphy.

Choo is up.  Bases loaded.  Now Choo can be a hero.  Choo draws the walk.  Winning run walked in.  Rangers win.  Wow.

Top of 9:
Rosin is still in. (I fixed the innings, somehow got it messed up in the 6th inning.)

Rosin pitches a 3 up 3 down inning.

Rangers have 3 more outs.

Bottom of 8:
Nothing.  No runs.  3-1 Phillies.  Still.

Top of 8:
Rookie Seth Rosin in to pitch.  Please let him pitch as well as he did on opening day.  OK Rosin got them out of that.  6 more outs for the Rangers on offense.

Bottom of 7:
Rangers offense been bad all night.  And of course no runs.  Again, how many games are you going to win putting up zero runs?

Moreland with a 1 out triple?!?!  Yup.

2 out single by Leonys Martin, scores Moreland.  Rangers trail 3-1.  Phillies leaving in Kendrick.  Choice popped out to shallow right.  4 hits all night.  1 run.  That's not going to cut it.

Top of 7:
Tolleson gets the first out in the top of the inning and now it's time time to see (gulp) if Pedro Figueroa can start to fix his ERA from his first appearance (21.60 ERA, is that bad?).  Is it bad to walk the first batter you face on 4 pitches?  I'm pretty sure it's not good. 5 straight balls and counting.  It's a miracle, pitch number 6 is a strike.  And pitch number 7 is a screamer to Prince for a double play to end the inning.  It's an adventure.

Bottom of 6:
All Choo does is get on base when he leads off an inning.  I will take it, even if he reached on an error.  @Joe Mama: Choo Choo! (OK, I regret writing that but won't delete it.)  Rangers waste Choo leading off and again getting on base.  REALLY, REALLY, REALLY would like some offense out the Rangers.

Top of 6:
Yup Robbie Ross is done.  Tolleson is in.

Man, Beltre is just amazing at 3B.  He makes amazingly difficult defensive plays at 3B seemingly every game.  And probably makes it look too easy for us to appreciate how great he is as a defensive player.

OK, no harm done.  Really, really, really need some offense.  Preferably 4 runs or more.

Bottom of 5:
Rangers again put up no runs.  Only 3 hits by the Rangers' offense all night long to this point.  Crap.  They're making Kendrick look like a Cy Young contender.

Top of 5:
Robbie Ross has pitched OK to good, but at this point it doesn't look like he'll get through this inning.  Lead off hit.  Here we go.

And Mr. Robbie Ross gets out of the 5th without allowing any more harm.  How much you want a bet he's done for the game?

And another question, how many games are you going to win scoring zero runs?

Bottom of 4:
Rangers threaten but get no one across the plate.

Top of 4:
Phillies keep on getting on base.  But no harm done this time.  Really wish they had not wasted that chance in the bottom of the 1st.

Bottom of 3:
Watching the ESPN broadcast, little change up from listening to and watching the local guys.  But ESPN has to roll out Seahawks QB Russell Wilson.  Enough already, we get it.  He was drafted by the Rangers for some cheap PR.  93 games in the minors a while ago, .229 BA.

Oh by the way ESPN, the Rangers again did nothing on offense.

Top of 3:
Ryan Howard goes yard, 2 run homer. 3-0 Phillies.  Damn.

Bottom of 2:
Rangers do nothing on offense.

Top of 2:
Nice double play ball to get out of trouble with no damage done.


Bottom of 1:
How good is Choo? Fought off some 2 strike pitches and got a base hit.

And then Elvis moves him over and with the throwing error, runners on 2B and 3B with no outs, brilliant.

Why wasn't Choo running on contact? Curse of Kinsler? Curse of Kolan?

Runners on 2B and 3B with no outs. What a waste if  they don't score at least one run. Waste complete. No runs scored. Damn. 

Top of 1:
Phillies score a run on an error.  Curse of Kolan (Kinsler + Nolan)?

Read more...

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Live blogging: Boom Goes the Dynamite...

...walk off hit by your best Ranger Beltre wins the ballgame.

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Live blogging: at Game, 2-2, Middle of 8...

...we're wearing sunglasses, have a half a pack of smokes, they cut off the beer, let's roll.

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When Last We Left Our Boys of Summer...

Older TTRB Stuff

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