Thoughts on a 14-5 Rangers loss

A's 14, Rangers 5

• Well, a game like this was due, I guess.
• Cesar Ramos starting in place of Yu Darvish is a letdown, and Ramos didn't pitch well, but he's Cesar Ramos.  The Rangers should be happy with how he's done overall this season, and accept that games like this will occur occasionally when you ask him to start.
• Tom Wilhelmsen, on the other hand...asked to come in and stop the bleeding, he whipped out a scalpel and opened a vein.  Wilhelmsen gave up 9 hits and 6 runs in 1 IP.  It's the third time he's given up at least 5 runs in an inning or less of work this season.  He's only the ninth pitcher to do that three times in a season since 1990.
• This may be the end of Wilhelmsen in Texas.  You have to think he's in danger of at least being optioned so Texas can get a fresh arm up tomorrow, and possibly DFA'd.  You have to feel bad for Wilhelmsen, who is by all accounts a good guy with a fascinating back story who has been a good pitcher in the past, and who suddenly has stopped being a good pitcher this year.
• Well, I have to feel bad for him, anyway, because I have empathy.  I can't speak for what you have to do.
• On the plus side, Shawn Tolleson retired all seven batters he faced.  The Ranger pen is better with a good Shawn Tolleson in it.  This was a step in the right direction.
• Offensively, hey, there were home runs.  Shin-Soo Choo homered in his return to the lineup, and also didn't get hurt in his first game back, which already makes it an improvement over last time.  Ryan Rua homered.  Mitch Moreland also homered, continuing to indicate he's snapping out of his slump and at least be a solid platoon 1B.
• Rua, Moreland and Elvis Andrus all had two hit games, so that's good.  And we got to see Bryan Holaday play left field and Ryan Rua play center field, so that's something.
• Anyway, there were some positives from today.  And Texas is still in first place.  So be of good cheer, everyone.