Sunday a.m. Rangers things

Having split the first two games in New York, the Rangers try to take the rubber game tonight on ESPN, with Alexi Ogando squaring off against C.C. Sabathia.

Yesterday's game was frustrating, and Jeff Wilson's game story notes that it hinged on two opposite field fly balls in the 8th, one from Adrian Beltre that went out of the yard but barely foul, one from Robinson Cano that hit the foul pole for a home run.  

The reality, though, was that the Ranger offense only picked up 7 hits and a pair of walks on the game, with the only extra base hits being a pair of doubles, and it is hard to win that way.  The Yankees didn't do much better, in terms of baserunners, but they picked up a pair of homers, which scored four of their runs.  

T.R. Sullivan notes in his game story that it has been five games since the Rangers have homered.

Richard Durrett has his post-game thoughts up at ESPN Dallas.

Derek Holland pitched okay yesterday, despite allowing five runs, although Holland says that there's one pitch in particular he wishes he could have back.

The S-T's notes discuss the slow starts by Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus, the outfield alignment when Julio Borbon gets a day off, and the internal discussions about going back to a 7 man bullpen.  

The big problem with the 8 man bullpen right now is that it is effectively a 5 man bullpen, in terms of close games.  Dave Bush is the long man, and neither Mason Tobin nor Mark Lowe can really be used when the game is in doubt at this point.  That means you've got three guys who are basically limited to garbage time roles or when your started gets knocked out early, and you simply don't need that many relievers for those roles right now.

Sullivan's notes talk about Michael Young's place in the Ranger record book and Joe Girardi's impressions of the Rangers.