Besides a mid-innings trouble spot by Derek Holland, yesterday's game wasn't ever really in doubt after the 1st inning. It was nice to watch a Rangers game without worrying about the outcome.
T.R. Sullivan chronicles the offensive explosion which saw the Rangers score 11 runs, collect 20 hits, and drill four dongs on the road.
Evan Grant quickly pitches about yesterday's game. He notes that the Rangers have now won three consecutive games for the first time since that Easter series against the Royals where Herbie waved to us in a bunny suit.
ESPN Dallas has reactions to the game and among them is the note that the Rangers are now, would you believe it, 5-2 since Nelson Cruz and Josh Hamilton returned. Really good baseball players are important to winning baseball games!
Jeff Wilson has his game recap up at the several newspapers that print it but in this case I'm linking the Star-Telegram. Wilson has quotes from Mike Napoli and Derek Holland whom each featured prominently in the Rangers win yesterday. Holland on his bad inning:
One inning killed me," he said. "To be honest, I'm OK with what the outcome was. I'm just upset about the walks. To me, I'm a better pitcher than that. I know I can execute better than that."
As an ancillary, Wilson has some post game notes about Ron Washington's catching preference now that Mike Napoli is hotter than the sun and also a spooky Endy Chavez feat.
Evan Grant expands on how the Rangers will handle the catching situation with Napoli hitting so well behind the DMN paywall.
Ian Kinsler had the day off last night because he argued a call and threw a baseball bat and an umpire threw him out of the game on Sunday so Michael Young played second base instead and then stepped on Elvis Andrus's foot around the second base bag causing his foot to swell and has made him unsure as to whether or not he will be able to play in tomorrow's game, Grant writes.
Sullivan's MLB.com Rangers notebook ponders the question of David Murphy's trade value, looks with wonder at Matt Harrison's brine-less blistered finger, examines the challenge of the Rangers current road odyssey, and notes that Michael Young will probably have an opportunity to spike Andres Blanco because Ian Kinsler will likely be the designated hitter in tonight's game.
Not to be outdone, Wilson has notes as well. His notes include one about how Tanner Scheppers has begun to throw again but it could be two weeks or more before he's game ready again.
Richard Durrett writes about Brandon Webb's first minor league rehab start. How did it go? Let me direct quote it for you: "He gave up five runs on eight hits with two walks, two strikeouts and a hit batsman in 3 1/3 innings of work."
Finally, however, Durrett writes that Brandon Webb had fun.