Texas' bullpen STRUGGLES(and that's being nice), lose last 2 games of the series, lose series versus Seamen

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: Yesterday Wilhelmsen gave up 2 homers and 2 extra base hits and did not record an out. That means his current ERA is INFINITY.

Tollseson blew a save opportunity in the 9th today and his ERA is now 45.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: Wilhelmsen was visited on the mound yesterday by the new pitching coach Doug Brocail after getting beat up and not recording an out. Then he beaned the next batter and was thrown out. You gotta think that cane from the dugout. Maybe, right? And then Banny was jawing at the Seamen's manager. In which case, awesome! I cannot wait till we face the Seamen again.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: Off to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, California, United States of America, Earth, Milky Way (look it up, that's their official name) who I believe are paying Josh Hamiltn $30 million to sit on our bench.

Read more...

Rangers manage only 1 hit and still beat Seamen/King Felix on Opening Day

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: Cole gave up solo HR's in the first 2 innings-and the Rangers' kryptonite Seager hit one of them.

On top of that the Rangers managed ZERO hits through 4 innings and ONE in the game.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: Live by the snow falling on Seager, die by the snow falling for on Seager* - he had 1 of the 2 Seamen errors in the Rangers' 3 run 5th inning.

At least the Rangers seem to still be King Felix's kryptonite. How else can you explain a 3-2 lead for the Rangers and the Rangers with only1 hit at that point.

Tolleson had a 3 up 3 down 9th to close the game.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes:
After 1 game the Rangers are on pace to:
- go undefeated
- have Prince get 162 hits and 162 RBI's (Prince had the only Rangers hit and RBI in the game)
- have the rest of the lineup go without a hit the whole year

*credit to Chris Berman for borrowing that from him.

Read more...

Jedi Josh is back! Rangers win 7-4

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: Hopefully he's back at this level for the rest of the season.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: Jedi Josh Hamilton had 2 homers. And maybe just as shocking and important, he had a BB and no K's. You did not misread that, he had a walk and did not strikeout.

Plus Chirinos contributed at the plate.

And Tolleson had another clean 9th inning for his 6th save. I tell you what, he looks strong to very strong in his new role.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: Chi Chi Gonzalez (no relation) makes his MLB debut today. Chi Chi looked good in spring training according to those who had the chance to see him in Arizona. Let's see how he does.

Read more...

That got ugly fast in the top of the 8th versus the O's

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: After 7 it was a tie ballgame, 2-2.

Then, Ogando and Cotts and Tolleson were hit like a drum in the top of 8. The O's batted around in the 8th, is that good?

After 8 the O's were winning 8-2. Ouch.

The Rangers only managed 2 runs on 5 hits through 8.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: Saunders pitched an OK to good game, getting the Rangers to the 7th inning only giving up 2 runs. The game was tied 2-2 after 7.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: Why can't Wash (or any manager in MLB) put in the Ranger's closer Soria (or any MLB closer) in the 8th and ask him to get 6 outs instead of 3?  Everyone would need to understand that depending on the number of pitches thrown by the closer that he might not be available the next day.

Read more...