35-21 - Profar Saves Rangers as Texas Wins Game, Series Against KC

So let me get this straight. Yu Darvish, on May 16, at 116 pitches into the 7th inning, in a game where the Rangers led 9-4, was sent out to throw 130 pitches because Ron Washington was worried that Miguel Cabrera or Prince Fielder was going to hit a five-run home run off of his bullpen.

Today, with the Rangers scratching out a single run without the benefit of a hit in the 1st inning accounting for all of the offense they had managed with Darvish in the game, Washington took Darvish out to begin the 8th inning, with a 1-0 lead, at 99 pitches.

Of course, the Royals quickly tied the game on a broken bat double, sac bunt, and poor throw from Jeff Baker.

I don't get it.

I am reminded of this from Todd Wills after the game on the 16th of May:

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels met with Washington after Thursday's game to discuss Darvish's pitch count

I'm all for Yu Darvish not throwing 130 pitches in a game, but taking him out after 99 pitches in a 1-0 game when you leave him in at 116 pitches in a 9-4 game doesn't make a lick of sense. It seems like Ron Washington was setting himself up for a "damned of I do, damned if I don't" situation.

As has been the norm in his tenure as the Rangers manager, the players bailed Wash out. Jurickson Profar hit a two-out dong to give the Rangers the lead and eventually the win.

Player of the Game: Profar is the only Texas Ranger that I like