Hi, friends.
I have been away for the last few days so I've missed most of this 2003 Rangers revival act over the last ten days or so. Games like tonight make me miss Colby Lewis' ability to eat innings and Josh Lewin's ability to entertain even when the team is in an extended slump.
I mean, besides the fact that the Rangers lost what seems like their dozenth straight game where the starter walks a million and throws 100 pitches to get through three innings, we witnessed a game between Kyle Lohse and Ricky Nolasco in 2016 that started late, was delayed by rain, and ended well after midnight. I feel bad for the folks who paid for admission to this one.
I honestly don't know if I could purposely pick a least interesting sounding starting pitcher matchup. It was a real Mike Pelfrey vs Scott Feldman kind of night.
The good news is tomorrow is the final game before the All-Star break so the exhausted Rangers will get four days off to reset. More good news, Yu Darvish and Keone Kela should be back with Texas on the other side. More, more good news, the Rangers will enter the break with no worse than a 5 1/2 game lead in the AL West since the Astros lost earlier in the day.
Maybe the best news, Kyle Lohse probably won't ever pitch for the Rangers again.
Player of the Game: Elvis Andrus hit a home run and also singled in a run. Elvis looks like the only guy just about who isn't ready for a week off these days.
Up Next: The first half mercifully comes to an end for the Rangers as they finish this series with the Twins with A.J. Griffin on the mound against LHP Tommy Milone. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 pm CT.