Sunday morning Rangers stuff

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 12, 2009 11:56 AM CDT

Once again, the offense decided to take the night off, although a lot of the focus in the papers today seems to be on Kevin Millwood.

Evan Grant says that Millwood felt good going into the 7th inning, and that he just hung a slider to Rob Johnson to allow the game winning home run.

Ron Washington says that Millwood is someone who, if he had nothing left, would step up and say something.

Brett Perryman wonders if Millwood's recent struggles (and the injuries to Matt Harrison and Brandon McCarthy) might be the fallout from the "work deeper into games" mantra the Rangers have been running with this year.

The team is, it seems, at least a little concerned about Millwood's workload...rather than having him start the first game after the All Star Break, Millwood is starting the fourth game after the break, meaning he'll have eight games rest between starts.

Dustin Pedroia isn't going to be at the All Star Game. But neither is Ian Kinsler...Joe Maddon opted to add Carlos Pena instead of Kinsler to replace Pedroia.

Speaking of Kinsler, one thing he's shown a knack for is stealing third base...Jeff Wilson has a story up about how he's been able to go 21 for 21 in steals of third in his career.

Nelson Cruz likes his chances in the Home Run Derby. Anthony Andro has a rundown of the top 10 Rangers moments in All Star history.

Gil LeBreton has a column up on Chris Davis, and his efforts to get back on track in Oklahoma. Lots of good quotes, including this:

"The drills we’ve done the last few days are the same drills I did in 2007 and last year," Davis said.

"It was something I had kind of gotten away from, and I take full responsibility for that. I got away from my old routine, and I think it had a lot to do with the fact that I was struggling at the big-league level."

Officially, Davis is 8-for-23 with one home run and six RBI during his week back in the minor leagues.

"I’ve hit a lot of balls hard," Davis suggested. "I’ve really tried to stay in the center of the field, and I think I’ve done a good job of that.

"The at-bats, as far as I’m concerned, have gone really well. I’ve been able to see a lot of pitches and I’m swinging at strikes. I think that’s the big thing."

Tweet Comment 38 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

SLC Ranger wonders...

how the hell the Yanks blow back to back 4-0 leads to the Angels when the Halos are without Vlad and Torii for both games and even without Juan Rivera for one of the games.

Fuckin’ Yankees.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jul 12, 2009 12:00 PM CDT reply actions

As said by a friend of mine that's a Yanks fan...

“The Angels are our kryptonite”

Ron Washington...giving hope everywhere to the kids who eat lead paint chips of being a big league manager when they grow up since 2007.

by rangers85 on Jul 12, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Hilarious

my Yankee friend said those EXACT same words.

Way to not lurk and instead shit all over yourself during your first fanshot.

-FirebatM3 to Ryan2907. 6/3/09.

by SarasotaRanger on Jul 12, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions

21 for 21?

My Lord.

I think the Rays have it right in how they force the action on opposing batteries. Of course, they have Crawford and Upton, so that’s pretty easy to do, but I’d like to see us get a bit more aggressive with runners on first.

Way to not lurk and instead shit all over yourself during your first fanshot.

-FirebatM3 to Ryan2907. 6/3/09.

by SarasotaRanger on Jul 12, 2009 12:01 PM CDT reply actions

During last night's game...

I noticed that CD and Russ Branyan have very similar swings. I foound myself wondering if CD could benefit from a more open stance? That is what Cruz credited for his improvement last year.

"Thats all we got? One goddamned hit?" - Harry Doyle
"You cant say god damn on the radio."- Colorman
"Ehhh, who cares...nobody's listening!"- Harry Doyle

by awillis111 on Jul 12, 2009 12:10 PM CDT reply actions

I like the idea

See the ball better.

by JPenn on Jul 12, 2009 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

I think it is encouraging

seeing some changes in his practice habits, etc. Id like to see if he has success with his current stance before changing things up. Cruz never had ML success and then changed it up and it helped. CD does have some ML success with his current stance. Now if he gets called up later on this season and he keeps like this season then maybe, but right now i like him getting back to basics so to speak.

by Michael Cave on Jul 12, 2009 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Reasonable.

I can agree with this.

"Thats all we got? One goddamned hit?" - Harry Doyle
"You cant say god damn on the radio."- Colorman
"Ehhh, who cares...nobody's listening!"- Harry Doyle

by awillis111 on Jul 12, 2009 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Jaramillo

What will reaction be if Davis goes to minors, makes major adjustments he couldn’t make at ML level, then returns to big leagues and produces? With Cruz, he’d be 2nd guy that can’t succeed working with Rudy but able to improve by leving him.

I like Jaramillo, this isn’t an attack on him. Just statement of fact and curious how the media/fans would react.

by JPenn on Jul 12, 2009 12:14 PM CDT reply actions

Indifference from most I would think

Rudy has way too great of a reputation to let that Davis and Cruz tidbits have fans/media begin to seriously question him. The Major League offense not producing like they did in June would get people to question him, not Davis going down and coming back up to have success.

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.

"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg on Jul 12, 2009 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't think very many fans would connect the dots.

It would require a few rants on talk shows or in newspaper columns to get them to think about it.

I think Rudy is flexible though. He tried some things with Hamilton that didn’t work out. Hamilton has said he is back to his old approach and feels confident. I think CD will do the same, and I think Rudy will let CD what works for him, as he appears to be doing with Hamilton.

Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D

by rooster on Jul 12, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions

If he can get back on track

maybe they need to give Rudy a vacation and see if Coolbaugh can have any luck on all the bats that are hitting below their averages.

"I saw a soldier try to dig a foxhole with his bare hands. He didn't notice that he'd torn off all his fingernails. I got him out of there quickly; not for his sake, but for ours. Fear is poison in combat...destructive, contagious." - Band of Brothers

by DJCahill on Jul 12, 2009 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions

At some point, this has to be a red flag.

It may be a simple case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, and Rudy just can’t stand to stick with an approach that’s not his own creation. CD absolutely destroyed the minors last year and then hit very well in his half season with the Rangers, then he spends an offseason with Rudy and all of the sudden he’s swinging at bad pitches, his strike recognition is awful, and his bat speed is slow. Same with Nelson Cruz. I’m not necessarily saying that Rudy needs to go, but he might need to change his methods a little where his hitters are having success using techniques they learned elsewhere.

by Athos on Jul 12, 2009 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions

A 5th starter has yet to be named following the break

So it’s kind of lose-lose.. If Nippert pitches well, he will probably earn a couple more starts.

by octoberty on Jul 12, 2009 12:31 PM CDT reply actions

What are the other options?

Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY

by RangerMad on Jul 12, 2009 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Holland.

by octoberty on Jul 12, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions

For some reason

(probably Nippert’s lack of options) the Rangers feel he is a better asset to the team if he is in the bullpen.

Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY

by RangerMad on Jul 12, 2009 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Well Nippert's rope is certainly short enough

you could always plug Dutch back into the roto as necessary.

"We're One Nation Under a Groove"
- Ayjayem

by inactive lsb user on Jul 12, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Is it wise to keep

yo-yoing him between the rotation and bullpen? He had just built up his stamina for the rotation. I just don’t like the way they have handled Holland. Either make a commitment to him for the rotation or leave him in the bullpen for the rest of the year.

Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY

by RangerMad on Jul 12, 2009 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions

He was gonna get yanked around no matter what

Either now or when Harrison comes back

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 12, 2009 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Who would have thunk that

Tommy Hunter has locked down a rotation spot ahead of Holland?

Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY

by RangerMad on Jul 12, 2009 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions

I suspect a lot of it...

…has to do with them expecting him to make just a handful of starts before Matt Harrison returns.

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 12, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions

What happens to Nippert

when Harry comes back? Bullpen? DFA? Trade?

Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY

by RangerMad on Jul 12, 2009 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Most likely

Mathis optioned to OKC and Nippert to the pen. Unless Nippert bombs in the next couple weeks I think thats what happens

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 12, 2009 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions

I love Nippert as long relief.

But that’s all.

by octoberty on Jul 12, 2009 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions

But Mathis > Nippert

Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY

by RangerMad on Jul 12, 2009 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Based on what?

You’re own dumb biases?

I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan

by FirebatM3 on Jul 12, 2009 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

stupid Maddon

by Mike E on Jul 12, 2009 12:31 PM CDT reply actions

Please

Can someone get the Biz consultant over on the DMN blog to come here? He sounds fun.

by bdavison94 on Jul 12, 2009 12:50 PM CDT reply actions

Hitting the ball hard

40% line drive rate and .375 BaBIP in OKC, I’d say he might be right.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Jul 12, 2009 1:02 PM CDT reply actions

So if he keeps it up, how long til you bring him back?

by octoberty on Jul 12, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe a week or two after the ASB?

"We're One Nation Under a Groove"
- Ayjayem

by inactive lsb user on Jul 12, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions

I doubt it.

Blalock is serviceable at 1B. RW overrates AJ. As long as those two are producing in Ron’s eyes there is no need to rush CD back.

Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY

by RangerMad on Jul 12, 2009 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Well, it's not solely Ron's call.

by octoberty on Jul 12, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Meh...

I’d give it at least another month after the ASB.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Jul 12, 2009 10:10 PM CDT up reply actions

When a trade is made, around the deadline?

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 12, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I suppose I should be outraged about another Kinsler snub

But I’m not.

I’d rather him get the rest and get geared up for the second half. But if he wants to use that snub as motivation for the next time we play Tampa Bay, more power to you, Ian.

Defending Big D | TheStarsFans | But a Hawks fan since 1989

by Brandon Bibb on Jul 12, 2009 1:02 PM CDT reply actions

"They were giving me an opportunity to go somewhere where I’d had some success, and I looked at it as a new start.

“On the first day here, I said I needed to clean up my bat path,” Davis said. “I was long to the ball. More than that, my bat was moving too quickly in and out of the strike zone, I was leaning and swinging. That’s what happened with the pitch recognition. When I’m not dipping and leaning over, I see the ball a lot better.”

Great kid…great quote.

"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008

by Rodney on Jul 12, 2009 1:30 PM CDT reply actions