Thoughts on an 8-5 Rangers loss

D-Backs 8, Rangers 5

• I made fun of Archie Bradley on Twitter after he walked in a run in the first inning, calling him "Jughead Badly."  Bradley didn't allow a run after that.  Lesson:  Don't make fun of Archie Bradley on Twitter anymore.
• Yovani Gallardo didn't pitch particularly well last night, but he was also victimized by bad defense.  Adrian Beltre made just about the worst throw you'll ever see Adrian Beltre make in the first inning on a ball he charged and should have just held onto, with the end result being, instead of runners on first and second, a runner on third and a runner scoring.  Prince Fielder made a pair of errors (although one of the errors, on a throw by Rougned Odor, I think will end up being changed to either a hit or an E4).  Leonys Martin didn't catch a ball he should have caught.  Really, while it wasn't a good night for the pitchers, it was a worse night for the gloves.
• On the same day that the Rangers announced that Wandy Rodriguez will be joining the rotation on Friday, and thus that a 25 and a 40 man roster move will have to be made, Logan Verrett did not help his case for staying on the team, giving up 3 runs in 1.2 IP.  Verrett has now allowed runs in three of his four appearances, has walked 4 batters and struck out just 3 in 9 IP, and is sporting a 6.00 ERA.  He was claimed on waivers as a Rule 5 pick, but he's not show much to suggest he is going to be able to stick on the roster all season.  So this may have been Verrett's final appearance as a Ranger.
• The offense was frustrating yesterday, as Archie Bradley had zero command early on...after retiring Leonys Martin and Elvis Andrus to start the game, Fielder and Beltre walked, Choo was hit by a pitch, and then Robinson Chirinos walked.  Bradley's pitch count was high, the D-Backs had someone warming in the pen, and Jake Smolinski came up with the potential to issue a knockout blow to Bradley.  Smolinski hit the ball hard, but right at a fielder, ending the inning, and sending the offense into hibernation for most of the rest of the game.
• Texas scored 4 in the 9th, but that just served to cut the lead from 8-1 to 8-5.  It didn't ever really feel like they were back in it after the first few innings.
• Ah, well.  A split on the road is nothing to sneeze at.  Off day today, then on to...Anaheim?  I think it is Anaheim on Friday.