Winning isn't boring I have discovered. The Reds and Phillies are the only undefeated teams remaining in the National League while the Orioles and Rangers are the American League's final remaining undefeated teams. The Rangers are off to their best start to a season since 1996 when they went to the post season for the first time in franchise history.
Elvis Andrus and Nelson Cruz are also not boring.
T.R. Sullivan has his game recap which talks about how the big hits keep coming allowing the Rangers rotation a chance to adjust to the regular season. Last night was Derek Holland's first start of the season, and while he seemed to lose command in the 4th and 5th innings, Sullivan notes that he was able to limit damage by pitching through trouble with runners on base.
ESPN Dallas' Randy Jennings has a recap which includes quotes from Holland about how he tried to buckle down in his final innings when the Mariners were rallying. Holland should maybe try velcro. Overall, while not Holland's best start, he did give the team six innings while allowing 3 runs. The mythical quality start!
Jeff Wilson writes that, in addition to the team destroying the ball at the moment, once again Ron Washington allowing his young starter the opportunity to wiggle out of a jam was the key to the game.
Evan Grant has some free notes on the game. In one he speculates on how Adrian Beltre's presence is positively impacting the left side of the infield.
Anthony Andro wrote a couple of tidbits on last night's victory. Did you know that the Mariners haven't scored off Darren O'Day in his last 13 appearances against them? Anthony Andro did.
Another day, another batch of Rangers home runs that must make Tim Kurkjian need to towel off. T.R. writes about Nelson Cruz hitting a home run for the fourth consecutive game to begin the season and Elvis Andrus hitting his first home run since Ivan Rodriguez was catching for the Rangers.
Jennings writes about Elvis and Nellie's big day at the plate with quotes from Cruz about being discussed in the same breath as Willie Mays and Mark McGwire.
T.R. has notes about the Opening Weekend games being a success not only on the field but at the gate (the second highest attended regular season series in team history) and in television ratings (the highest opening day ratings in FSSW history) as well. Additionally, he has notes on Brandon Webb's comeback attempt, Neftali Feliz's usage, and Michael Young closing in on the all-time franchise mark for games played.
Andro has notes up including one on Scott Feldman saying he hopes to be pitching by May and is seeing progress as he looks to return from microfracture surgery on his knee.
Jeff Wilson has a recap of Jon Daniels' appearance on MLB Network Radio where he spoke to Jim Bowden and Casey Stern about the Michael Young trade situation and proclaimed it "more or less put to bed."
Finally, Andro writes that the Alexi Ogando-as-starter experiment is about to launch and while Ogando will be admittedly nervous at first, he will not be afraid.