Monday Morning Texas Rangers Update

Kyle Seager continued to cement his legacy as the latest member of the All-Time Pain in Texas' Butt Team yesterday. Seager has officially joined the likes of Vladimir Guerrero, Mickey Mantle, Reggie Jackson, and Miguel Cabrera in raising the blood pressure in Arlington.

But those players terrorized all teams. Seager would find himself more among the ranks of Juan Rivera, Trot Nixon, and Jeff Conine in being inexplicably good against the Rangers. Somehow, that makes it even more annoying.

Todd Wills provides the Rapid Reaction to the Rangers' 4-3 series-ruining loss to Erasmo Ramirez and the Seattle Mariners.

T.R. Sullivan recaps the game which saw Seager collect the go-ahead extra base hit in the 9th inning for what seems like the dozenth time this year.

Jeff Wilson's game story focuses on the Rangers playing sloppy on Sunday which is not a good look for a team that has the thin margin for error that these Rangers have.

To that point, Gil LeBreton writes that the Rangers could be skating on thin ice down the stretch as they're not a team that can make up for mistakes by hitting home runs.

Jean-Jacques Taylor pins the loss on Yu Darvish and says that being great just isn't good enough. While I'd agree that the Rangers really should win games where Darvish faces the likes of Erasmo Ramirez, blaming Yu Darvish, after allowing only three runs, coming off a start where he was nearly perfect, while having one of the better months by a Texas Ranger starter ever, just comes off as shortsighted and fussy.

Behind the DMN paywall, however, Gerry Fraley lays this particular loss at the feet of Ron Washington for leaving Darvish in too long and turning to Robbie Ross to face left-handed hitters in the 8th inning.

Wills writes that Joe Nathan threw the slider that he wanted, in the exact location that he wanted, in the 9th inning yesterday. Of course, that was the slider that Seager hit for a double that drove in the eventual game-winning run. Stupid Kyle Seager.

On the DMN blog, Fraley writes that Plan A for Tuesday's TBD starting pitcher is acquiring a starter - with the Rangers eyeing Erik Bedard and Dan Haren. Plan B would be a bullpen start using a combination of Travis Blackley and Ross Wolf. Or, as I like to call it: Plan Blackwolf (the Dragonmaster)

Sullivan's Notebook covers the Rangers' pinch-hitting prowess, Wolf's readiness, Neftali Feliz getting back on track, and other items.

Drew Davison's notes tackle Wolf howling for Tuesday, this season's improved bench, and Leonys Martin getting a rest yesterday.

Finally, Jacob Thorpe previews tonight's game between the Rangers and Astros as the Rangers try to amp themselves up for a series against Houston even though they've already won the Silver Boot.