Wednesday morning stuff
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 15, 2009 8:37 AM CDT
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PrintA week and a half into the season, and I'm already feeling sick about things and running out of things to say.
Eddie Guardado's performance in the 10th was awful. But when you hold the Orioles -- a pretty good offensive team -- to 3 runs in 9 innings, knock the opposing starter out of the game in the 2nd, and still don't score any runs against a bad bullpen for 7+ innings, it is hard to put all the blame on the pen.
Particularly when you have three runners thrown out on the basepaths, including one at home with only one out in the inning, and one stealing second right before the next batter goes deep.
So anyway...we have Evan Grant's game story here, Jeff Miller's story on the team's inability to put runs on the board against the bullpen here, and Jeff Wilson's game story here.
Gil LeBreton talks about the "bargain basement bullpen" being to blame for the bad start this year. Richard Durrett also talks about the problems with the pen.
Anthony Andro says Ron Washington has a deep bench with versatility, although so far, he doesn't seem inclined to use the depth in-game.
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The
Bad Bullpen that JD acquired, the weak defense (explain again how RW is a master at defense), and the absolute inability of RW to use a fairly good bench appear to be the biggest problems with this team that I see.
This is starting to smell like last couple of RW years, where the team pisses away any chance of contending in the first month or 2, then looks like a 500ish ballclub the rest of the year.
"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris
Thanks for pointing that out
This game was lost in the 1st inning. Why is Kinsler stealing? There are so many mashers in this lineup – we don’t need to play Angel-ball. Just get on base and have the guy behind you drive you in.
I took my 2-year-old daughter to the game last night, and even she looked at me funny when Ian was thrown out.
The Poster Formally Known As: UrbanDad
"Listen to Ted. Trust him. If he cuts you off, switch gears and go with it." -- Shroomer
I think it was simple
Before last night Zaun had been horrible at getting baserunners out. The problem I had is we kept on going to the well when we had seen that he was actually doing a decent job last night. Kinsler just hasn’t been running the bases right so far.
What do voluntary mean?
I'm fine with sending a high success stealer on a low success catcher.
Especially in front of a slap hitter.
Isn't critcizing a
1st inning CS nit picking? Isn’t SBs part of Kinsler’s game?
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Caught Stealing
By biggest problem with the caught stealing was were facing Alfredo Freakin’ Simon. If we can’t score runs against him were in trouble. If Halladay or someone of that caliber was on the mound, I understand it. You try to press every advantage you get. But Alfredo Freakin’ Simon, come on. The big turning point in the game was him getting hurt. It was the best thing that happened to the Orioles all night.
I’m not a fan of Washington, but in his defense, Kinsler might be a green light guy on the basepaths. If that is the case, Kinsler might have gone on his own with no signal from the dugout. Does anybody know if he is a green light guy allowed to steal whenever he wants?
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Apr 15, 2009 8:50 AM CDT reply actions
Stealing...
I don’t know the scouting report on Gregg Zaun, but is he considered to have a plus arm? He seems to be a little old to be gunning our guys down left and right – were they getting very bad jumps or what?
this team
is not exactly cunning on the basepaths. we aren’t a smart baseball team in any facet, really, but we have the raw talent to overcome it in some areas. smart teams work counts, hit cut off men and make fewer outs on the basepaths.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
I agree
stealing on Simon in the 1st inning is pointless. Trying to steal on Halladay or Sabathia or someone like that I can see more. That’s why I was wondering was it Washington who was the idiot who sent Kinsler or did Kinsler show for the 2nd day in a row he’s a dumb baserunner unaware of situations?
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Apr 15, 2009 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions
was it Washington who was the idiot who sent Kinsler or did Kinsler show for the 2nd day in a row he’s a dumb baserunner unaware of situations?
I think either way we are all confused by that move.
And speaking of stealing, I’m pretty sure Murphy was in fact out during the 9th the other day in that double steal. At least, it looked like he was tagged before his leg hit the bag – his foot slid wide.
oh yeah
he was definitely out. He got a horrible jump last night when he was gunned out again.
I know we are all in agreement on that caught stealing. It just still pisses me off. Magnified by Young hammering a pitch into the seats 45 seconds later.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Apr 15, 2009 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Right before Kins was thrown out
they said on the radio that Zaun was 0 for 12 or something throwing out runners and look for the Rangers to test his arm. About thirty secs later, Kins was out at second.
Godwin's Law Version 2.0 (Rangers Edition)
"As a Ranger discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Danks, Volquez, or Young approaches one."
by LBBRangerFan on Apr 15, 2009 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions
I simply don't think this team
takes the next step under Ron Washington’s watch. The Rangers should lose their next four (at least on paper) and if that leads to RW’s early dismissal, then I may have to cheer for the Royals.
Also, remember all spring when I was clamoring about how Eddie Guardardo was a risky guy to bank on as our only loogy option(CJ is more of a late inning guy, at least in the FO’s eyes), and everyone in the local media seemed to look the other way when he got hit like a plastic tee all spring because he was “assured of a spot” when he signed? Remember my concern that his 85 mph fastball and his high 70’s CU might not cut it this year, just like they didn’t in ’07 and the latter half of ’08? Remember how then, as it is now, the best argument for his making the team was simply how there is no other option?
It is stuff like this that bothers me about our front office. How did they not see that this could/would be an issue? How did they not aggressively pursue another option when they were so readily available? Sure, they signed Gobble, but that lasted all of two games, and he ends up stashed on some other AAA team instead of our own.
I don’t think much of RW, but you have to admit that this is a difficult bullpen to manage. It is like picking which prostitute to have unprotected sex with at a whorehouse every night.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Agree on what he has available
But when you have a struggling bullpen, what the hell are you doing pulling your starter after 92 pitches?
last paragraph
That sums it up.
I’ve never liked Wash, but JD’s efforts at putting together a decent bullpen and rotation really should get more of the scrutiny. Most knowledgable people around here knew without a doubt that our bullpen was going to suck royally. Why didn’t he do something, especially knowing that a piss poor bullpen would lead to another horrid start which would lead to decreased attendance and having to fire the manager before the ASB. It’s pretty embarrassing how bad JD whiffed on this.
If you take the worst pitching staff in baseball, then add Kris Benson and Jason Jennings, what do you have???
surprise!!! You have the worst pitching staff in baseball, that's what.
x
Most knowledgable people around here knew without a doubt that our bullpen was going to suck royally.
Uh huh.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 15, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions
And by knowledgable you mean
people who agree with you. I thought the bullpen was weak, but that was a pretty arrogant way to word that.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Don't put Todd down like that!
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
I'm reminded of John McKay's old line
who when asked about the execution of his team, he said “I’m all for it.”
That’s where I’m at with this bullpen. I’m willing to work through rough spots w/ guys like Cruz, Davis, Andrus, etc. b/c there’s reasonable hope that they will get better. That doesn’t exist w/ these guys. They’re just bad.
Bryce Harper
Was he coming out in the 2010 draft?
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
pretty sure
are you suggesting we tank (or just play Rangers baseball)?
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Apr 15, 2009 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Actually it's 2011
Anyway, 5-game stretches like this raise up the ghost of spring PECOTA projections.
You might remember where they had Texas ranked, in terms of draft order.
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on Apr 15, 2009 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah
we need more catchers in this system
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Apr 15, 2009 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Benoit's injury the key???
Come on Gil. I am as big a fan og Benoit as anyone but a key piece responsible for the slow start is going a bit far. Benoit has been as enigmatic game to game as most relief pitchers. Certainly if he were healthy he would be a welcome member of the pen. The pen needs to settle into roles and will improve. CJ IMHO is not fully recovered from his injury and should be the 7th inning guy until he finds his groove. FX2 has been great as a closer to date. Jennings has done his job to date. So the pen is not all bad.
How does Wash
Still have a job? What’s the point of having Andruw Jones on this team if you aren’t going to pinch hit for Blalock against a tough lefty closer with the crucial runs on base? Granted, Blalock tagged that ball to right, but nobody on this team is in a groove the way that AJ is.
Washington is your classic example of a guy that could have used 3-5 years as a bench coach (not just an infield instructor and third base coach) to learn the managerial nuances of the game. I just don’t think that Ron Washington has the ability to learn and adjust to other big league managers and the overall speed of a major league game, decision making wise, as a quality major league manager does. As currently constructed, I do not believe that Wash makes it thru April. Nolan’s guy will be the manager May 1, 2009.
Rivalries aside, RIP Nick Adenhart 04/09/2009.
Who's gonna be his guy?
Moore or Hargrove or somebody else? If it’s Moore, I hope he hasn’t been consulting RW so far.
"I saw your act, just didn't make it for me. Just a lot of fluff."
I would love to have Hargrove manage this team
I think the problem with this team is the coaching. We have had a chance to win 7 out of the first 8, but at some point in every game there has been some brain dead decision that has cost it. Some of the decisions have been by players and some by coaches. But I think for the most part, ballplayers are dead from the neck up and require to be told to tag up when a ball is hit deep to right field. I don’t know the history of Dave Anderson, but he should be responsible to let kinsler know that he should have tagged up on anything to deep right field on monday night and he should not have gotten young thrown out at the plate last night. I think this team requires being told what they need to do in different situations since they are so young. I think RW just lets them go out and play the game they way they want to and just what comes natural to them. The next manager should be able to do this. I think there is some place in between RW and Showalter that the Rangers need to find.
IIRC, Grover is a horrible handler of pitchers...
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
what are jackie moore's pros and cons as a manager?
by trgordon723 on Apr 15, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
I can't think of a single one on either side of the ledger.
The guy just does nothing for me good or bad. I used to know more about him, but that was over 10 years ago.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
the only way i have heard of jackie moore is from the Round Rock Express
He seemed to always have a winning team when there was talent in the Astros system. Of course that was 10 years ago nearly
by trgordon723 on Apr 15, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions
Bases empty!
It’s not just the caught stealing or the baserunning mistakes, but the approach in the better’s box.
This has bothered me as long as Rudy has been around. Take a walk!!
The rangers are the 20th team in walks this year. That’s inexcusable, especially considering how good their batters are. They should be getting and taking far more walks.
One or two more walks win us that game.
Rudy must go.
Nah
we aren’t taking any pitches. Everyone of us is swinging for the big fly!!!!!!!!!! For example, Hamilton, no one has thrown you a 1st pitch fastball strike yet this year. Quit beind down 0-1 in the count because you waved a breaking ball in the dirt.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Apr 15, 2009 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions
that swinging first strike is pissing me off
learn to take the first pitch of an AB, at least until they give you better pitches to hit
The "Fire Wash Watch" is on. I say he's gone by April 26th.
Plate Discipline
And how many times are we going to swing at ball 4 a foot out of the strikezone? Whenever they manage to work a count full, they just swing at whatever slop the pitcher throws up there.
by festivus4all on Apr 15, 2009 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions
too true
last night there were a couple walks not taken.
that was especially true in Detroit against Galarraga, and late in the game against their bullpen ie Rodney. They are just wailing away. It is ridiculous.
The "Fire Wash Watch" is on. I say he's gone by April 26th.
Mixed messages
There definitely seems to be mixed messages to the players with regards to their approach at the plate. RW came in and said the approach would be similar to what Oakland does: patience, work pitchers, try to get on base any way possible. Rudy has always coached an aggressive approach at the plate. It seems to me, that the players are listening to Rudy on this one.
by NorCalRangersFan on Apr 15, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Not necessarily
The players can’t completely change who they are, even if they slavishly followed the advice of either man.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Doesn't give me a lot of hope for Beltre then
Although Cruz seemed to change his approach.
by NorCalRangersFan on Apr 15, 2009 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Who they are?
You probably cant teach a “good eye”, since there is a physical element to that. Experience will give a player better pitch recognition. I think a players approach / strategy at the plate can certainly be coached, though. Its not like Hamilton can stop himself from swinging at the first pitch. If you watch Kinsler, there are at bats where you can tell he’s made a decision not to swing at the first pitch regardless of what it is. Pitchers see him do that a few times and then think they can just get an easy first strike, but this time Kinsler is waiting for it. That is his approach to hitting and it is definitely something any hitter can do.
by NorCalRangersFan on Apr 15, 2009 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Err
Its not like Hamilton cancan’t stop himself from swinging at the first pitch.
by NorCalRangersFan on Apr 15, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I just mean
they can improve and develop, but if they are a free swinger at heart, you’re not going to turn them into a walking machine, or vice versa. There is only so far they can go.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Ceej has a decent outing...no runs at least
and no EG mention of his tweets. Hmm……
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
he had something on facebook about
squealing tires outside his window. I’m surprised EG didn’t break that one down letter by letter.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Apr 15, 2009 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Evan felt if wasn't right to do so
since he was the one doing donuts on CJ’s front lawn
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
"'big ups to all my haterzzzzz' haha"
Was the one right after his blown game.
He’s had a few since then. “Man that was a tough one tonight- I thought we were gonna pull it out for sure- great resilience from the hitters on our squad,” after Monday’s game. And one to Nick Swisher congratulating him on pitching.
There’s no crying in baseball but pedicures are fine! --- BigGuns
I guess I'm following too many people...
…and some tweets are getting dropped. I definitely didn’t see either of those. Oh well; thanks for the updates!
by FuturePants on Apr 15, 2009 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions
What is your Twitter name, anyways?
I am, shockingly, @FuturePants
by FuturePants on Apr 15, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions
By the way
how piss poor did Chris Ray make Nelson Cruz look in the 6th or 7th on that K. I’ve seen little league kids take better hacks than that.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Apr 15, 2009 9:10 AM CDT reply actions
their whole bullpen
looked like Cy Young last night.
by corbsclinton on Apr 15, 2009 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Detroits bullpen is just as bad
and both made us look like we’re a AAA team. It makes me sick
The "Fire Wash Watch" is on. I say he's gone by April 26th.
Bullpen
The FO knows reinforcements are needed…but I can’t imagine trade scenarios have come together.
So how long will they actually wait to judge the talent on the farm?
Jamey ticked off some names. Diamond, Strop, Moscoso… None of them are at more than even 6 or 7 innings.
It feels like a pressure cooker watching the BP kill this team. As Adam points out, they obviously hoped to goose ticket sales with a good start.
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
I'm anxious to see how this bullpen gets straightened out.
The almost total lack of options, aside from sending Madrigal down, probably means that the current crew gets every last chance before any changes are made.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
This is team is a tease
just enough to stay close and rip your guts out
The "Fire Wash Watch" is on. I say he's gone by April 26th.
Something To Keep An Eye On
Some games the bullpen has been horrible. Some games the starting pitching has been horrible. Some games the baserunning has been horrible. Some games all of these things happen.
The one consistent thing with this squad outside of the gimpy pitching is that they battle at the plate. They fought like hell last night at the plate after Eddie coughed those Oriole runs in extra frames.
My concern is like hightower’s above…sooner or later, the bullpen’s Titanic routine is going to wear thin on the rest of the squad. I hope that something can be done about the pen before we start seeing this team come up to the plate down several runs and just take their hacks and take the L.
A CS stealing and
having a runner thrown out at home and eveyone is up in arms about aggressive base running. They have actually been pretty good at running the bases in recent years. Would you rather they play station to station and wait for thr 3 run HR?
http://www.bbtia.com/home/2009/1/26/monday-morning-rangers-notes-speculation-statistics.html
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
I'm surprised
that anybody is surprised by any of this, bad NRIs, poor attendance et al. I hope the poor attendance at least leads to Mr. Default leaving/
When John Ehrlichman, the President's counsel and assistant, asked Nixon why he kept Agnew on the ticket in the 1972 election, Nixon replied that "No assassin in his right mind would kill me."[
Sick
There are so many fundamental errors going on that it just makes me sick watching. The baserunning, the caught-stealing, the not-tagging, the swing-for-the-fences approach, the errors on the left side, all of it.
Makes me sick.
She say she are the manager.
No one is perfect on the bases
I have no problem with Kinsler running though because he has been as close to perfect as anyone in basestealing over the past couple of years. He got thrown out there, but just barely. It was a close call and unfortunately didn’t go our way, but that isn’t a fundamental mistake.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Running on the first pitch is most definitely a fundamental mistake, IMO.
He hadn’t seen anything of Simon’s move. He either went late when Simon ignored him, or he was dead-red to run for some reason.
There are times I would agree with you, but the first pitch to the second batter of the game isn’t one of them unless you play for the Gas House Gang.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Maybe he could have waited
But he was out by an inch if that. Kinsler did a pretty good job of reading that play, Zaun just made a great throw.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Encouraging outing from Wilson
better (and smaller, not coincidentally) pitch selection, simple and effective. More like that, please. I seriously think Guardado is just about toast. Turnbow is burnt toast.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Eddie
The spirit is willing, but the arm just can’t get the job done any longer.
by Mister Naxal on Apr 15, 2009 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Eddie
I love Eddie as a person and a mentor, but he just doesn’t have the stuff anymore. The bulldog attitude can only get you so far.
"I would like to extend to you an invitation to the pants party. The...party. With the...with the pants. Party with pants?"
by BrickTamland on Apr 15, 2009 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions
He really shouldn't be pitching
on back-back days.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
if a short reliever
can’t pitch on back-to-back days and be effective then you need to get rid of him
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
You think our bullpen is good enough
to get rid of guys that can pitch but just not in back-back games?
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
EG
I went and check EG’s stats for last year and was surprised to see that he was extremely effective with 0 dyas rest. I recll hearing a number of times how the Rangers didn’t want to use him on multiple days.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
What a bunch of Debbie Downers!
Things will get better! Hay-soos Cree-stay! We’re only a week into the season, and it’s like everyone of you has lost the great feeling of just being able to watch baseball again! Don’t let that honeymoon end so soon….
(Wife) "So what do you want to watch on the T.V.? UFC or porn?"
(Husband) "Hmm... well, porn, I guess."
McCarthy
6 innings, 3 runs. Pretty average just looking at the stats, but very encouraging to see him sitting at 91-93 in the 6th and hitting 94 a couple of times. He looked really good against a good offensive club. I think Maddux is really going to help him get back to his potential.
The loss sucks, but God, I need to find a silver lining somewhere.
"I would like to extend to you an invitation to the pants party. The...party. With the...with the pants. Party with pants?"
I think he was
a little better than the stats indicate. Two of his walks were back to back in the 6th with 2 outs. He had full counts on both batters. That is one reason why RW didn’t have him go back out for the 7th.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Waiting for an answer
I was also wondering that. He’d only thrown 92 innings and the idea is to stretch the starters this year. But I guess that only applies to Millwood and Padilla. Of course, he threw 105 the previous time out and wasn’t as effective.
Overall, tough loss to take. like the previous game was tough. and the one before it.
Damn it.
How about we win a few, and with some late inning heroics too. I was hoping Davis would get another at bat in the 10th.
Every pitcher is different...
Given BMac’s last couple of years, I’d suggest that 92 pitches on a regular basis IS stretching him out.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
yup
92 pitches is normally a month’s worth for BMac.
If you take the worst pitching staff in baseball, then add Kris Benson and Jason Jennings, what do you have???
surprise!!! You have the worst pitching staff in baseball, that's what.
BMac also walked 2 guys with 2 outs in the 6th,
he seemed to be petering out a bit, although you can argue his fastball was hitting 93 late in the game, but his control was iffy. Probably more based on how he finished the 6th than pitch count.
I thought it be all warm and shitty, but it just tasted like normal beer. It was still cold.
We don't know what was discussed between innings
Its entirely possible that RW asked BMac how he felt and BMac said he had nothing left.
by NorCalRangersFan on Apr 15, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions
per FWST blog
The right-hander wanted to go back out for the seventh inning after throwing 92 pitches in six innings. But in a tie game, he understood manager Ron Washington’s decision to bring C.J. Wilson in for the seventh inning because of the matchups. Wilson worked a perfect seventh
http://startelegramsports.typepad.com/foul_territory/
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
I found this quote
“I felt like there was more in the tank,” McCarthy said. “For some reason in my head I had it in my mind that I wanted to go eight. I felt like I was on pace for that. They wanted to take advantage of the lefty-lefty matchup with [Felix] Pie coming up and C.J. in the bullpen. I understood their reasoning there.”
Of course, its not like you really need to fear Felix Pie against a RHP either. He’s got a career OPS of .696 against righties. And he was followed by the always scary switch-hitting Izturis who actually hits a little better against lefties and then the switch-hitting Roberts who hit better against lefties last year also.
So, while I guess I like that RW is thinking about match-ups, he’s not making the right decisions. It worked out this time since CJ got through the 7th cleanly, but with our already overworked bullpen struggling, an edict from Nolan that says the starters should pitch longer, a starter who is pitching pretty well, feels strong, and is only at 92 pitches, I think you need to leave BMac in for the 7th.
by NorCalRangersFan on Apr 15, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions
I think I would
have let BMac go out to start the 7th. If someone gets on base then I would have brought CJ into the game.
It will be interesting to see how RW manages the next few games now that the fire under his seat has gotten hotter.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Does David Murphy not know how to slide into a base?
A friend pointed that out last night.
Yes, Murphy should have been called out in the 9th inning monday night. And he was out last night.
What is the point in sliding if you are going to have your outstretched leg elevated so that it goes OVER the bag? Murphy did this monday and tuesday.
It boggles the mind that a major league ballplayer doesn’t know how to slide. No, I don’t blame Wash for that. Murphy should have properly learned how to slide about 15 years before he ever met Ron Washington.
Leg need to be up a little
so you foot goes just over the bag, otherwise you risk breaking an ankle when it jams into the immovable bag. Murphy just needs to lower his leg or maybe try head first slide.
by NorCalRangersFan on Apr 15, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
baserunning
I don’t mind Kinsler trying to steal second, it’s something he’s good at, but how often do you see a leadoff hitter steal on the first pitch after arriving at first base. Had he waited to gauge how quickly the pitcher went to home and made his adjustments, he would have scored on Mikes’ home run and we win a 4-3 game last night.
I've got nothing
Waited all off season for the season to start and I am already defeated. I hate to root for this streak to continue, but maybe that at least gets Wash fired.
I thought it be all warm and shitty, but it just tasted like normal beer. It was still cold.
wash didn't put together this bullpen
And trust me, it pains me to defend that idiot.
If you take the worst pitching staff in baseball, then add Kris Benson and Jason Jennings, what do you have???
surprise!!! You have the worst pitching staff in baseball, that's what.
I agree but this team just isn't good in any facet
Clutch hitting no, baserunning no, defense no.
It’s every year, the same sh*t.
I thought it be all warm and shitty, but it just tasted like normal beer. It was still cold.
Did you just bring up clutch hitting?
I’m just going to sit back and watch this one.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Sigh.
The Rangers are in FIRST place with runners on base, 1.049 OPS; 5th out of 30 clubs in batting with runners in scoring position. .949 OPS. They hit well in those situations last year, too.
But that’s beside the point. There is no such thing as clutch hitting as a skill.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
the prophet shroomer said it best, back in Decemeber
in this thread.
If you take the worst pitching staff in baseball, then add Kris Benson and Jason Jennings, what do you have???
surprise!!! You have the worst pitching staff in baseball, that's what.
I hate Ranger baseball right now
but I keep watching. I’m a glutton for punishment
The "Fire Wash Watch" is on. I say he's gone by April 26th.
If McCarthy...
could put the FB he had yesterday with the slurve he had in his first outing he will be a good pitcher this year. Just stay healthy and mix in that change more often and he could finally become the pitcher the Rangers thought he could be when they traded for him.
Tough loss, but there were some positives yesterday.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
If he puts those two together, he'll be more than good...
He’s good right now based on those two starts. A bit more consistency and reps, and I’m cautiously optimistic that he’s finally what we traded for.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
his changeup
it didnt seem like he even threw it until the 6th inning
he made a couple guys look stupid with the changeup
if he could harness all 3 pitches for even one start, i would like to see the result
Take a deep breath chicken littles
There’s over 150 more of these left.
I'm Matt mutha-effing Bush, bitches, and mutha-eff East County.
"I'm as passionate and knowlegeable as any fan out there." Josey Wales
by Brian Thomas on Apr 15, 2009 11:05 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
And, we got all excited...
…when we whipped Cleveland 3 straight. We now know that Cleveland has nothing going this year, so those 3 wins seem rather bogus at the moment.
I think another couple of losses this week and RW will be toast. Where the FO goes after that , I don’t know.
I like JD and so want him to succeed, but this bullpen business lands squarely on his lap.
II Cor. 4:17-18
I think the bullpen lands squarely on management's lap...
But I don’t have the transcripts to know who recommended what and who set what constraints. If JD thought this pen was competitive as-is, I’ll agree with you on blame. If he thought that it plus some of the guys currently rehabbing was competitive, then the jury is still out.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
it really would've been nice
if Cruz’ last two days of close HRs went out. or if Young’s went out. or Hank’s.
sadly, it seems as though this offense is starting to rely on the long ball again
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Apr 15, 2009 11:52 AM CDT reply actions
Also, I'd like to apologize -
Because I think this losing streak may be my fault. You see, last weekend I got an early birthday present of a sweet red Kinsler jersey:
They have lost every one since then. So tonight to right the ship, I’m going to wear my blue Hamilton jersey. Winning streak starts tonight!
If they win,
you should probably give that shirt to me to ensure you are not tempted to wear it again.
by NorCalRangersFan on Apr 15, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
This is cool:
Every Rangers player will wear No. 42, the number Robinson wore as the second baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers. It was retired throughout baseball in 1997, the 50-year anniversary, but those who were wearing the number at the time were grandfathered in. One player still wears it: Mariano Rivera.
Other happenings tonight, courtesy of the Rangers’ PR department:
<>One of the Robinson jerseys will be signed by the entire Rangers team and auctioned off on MLB.com with the proceeds benefitting the Jackie Robinson Foundation. The Rangers will also individually sign their No. 42 jerseys following tonight’s game. Those jerseys will be on sale beginning Thursday at the Majestic Grand Slam Gift Ship at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
<>The Rangers will recognize the work of the Jackie Robinson Foundation in a pregame ceremony this evening. Participating will be Gabrielle Tyler, a 2000 graduate of Baylor and the president of the Jackie Robinson Foundation Alumni Association, Rangers manager Ron Washington, and outfielder Marlon Byrd.
Tyler is one of more than 1,300 young men and women whose education was made possible by the Jackie Robinson Foundation’s college scholarship and mentoring program. The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation is currently sponsoring Jackie Robinson Scholar Makenzie Hodge, a sophomore at Baylor and a native of Longview.
<>The Rangers in conjunction with KKDA and KRNB Radios also sponsored an on-air Jackie Robinson Day contest with local youth baseball teams. Ten players were selected and will be introduced on-field as an honorary starting lineup before tonight’s game.
— Jeff Wilson
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
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