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Thoughts on a 6-5 Ranger loss

By Adam J. Morris
May 19, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; General view of Minute Maid Park during a game between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE
May 19, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; General view of Minute Maid Park during a game between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

Astros 6, Rangers 5

  • The frustrating Derek Holland showed up today. The one that's not terrible, but that can't keep his fastballs down and is prone to the longball. Holland went an even 5 innings today, striking out 6 while walking a pair, but gave up 3 home runs -- to Chris Snyder, Carlos Lee, and Justin Maxwell -- all of them being no-doubters. That accounted for the 5 runs Holland was dinged with today. Holland now has a 4.27 ERA on the year.
  • Alexi Ogando was mortal today, giving up a run on a pinch hit RBI double by Travis Buck that ended up being the difference in the game. He went 2 innings, walking two and giving up a pair of hits.

  • Ian Kinsler looked like he might be emerging from his recent slump with a big night last night. It was a false alarm...Kinsler was 0 for 5 with 4 Ks tonight, although the first two Ks were on check-swings where it looked to me like he didn't go around.
  • The questionable decision of the game by Ron Washington...in the top of the 6th inning, down 5-4, Mike Napoli, hitting 8th, drew a two-out walk. Luke Harrell was at 109 pitches, and was not likely to return for the 7th. Houston had a lefty warming in the bullpen. Washington went to Mitch Moreland to pinch hit for Holland, which resulted in Houston bringing their lefty into the game. Moreland stayed in the game to face the lefty, struck out swinging, and not only did the rally end, but Moreland -- the one real weapon the Rangers had off the bench tonight -- ended up getting burned in a matchup where you knew Houston was going to neutralize him with a lefty anyway. It was a move that didn't make much sense.
  • The problems with Nelson Cruz and Mike Napoli continued tonight. In the 8th inning, Michael Young and Brandon Snyder (pinch-hitting for David Murphy) had back to back singles to start the inning. With runners on first and second and no one out, Cruz got to a 1-1 count and then popped out to right field, much to shallow for Young to advance to third. Mike Napoli then hit a tailor-made GIDP ball that ended up only getting one out when Jose Altuve's throw pulled Jed Lowrie off the second base bag, meaning that Snyder was safe at second, and the only out recorded was Napoli at first. With runners at second and third, Craig Gentry struck out pinch hitting, and that was that for that rally.