Thoughts on a 15-5 Rangers loss

Astros 15, Rangers 5

• That was a miserable game to end a miserable series. Bleah.

• Adrian Sampson got the start and was hammered early. Ariel Jurado and Brett Martin, each of whom have been relative bright spots out of the pen this year, also got beat up. Jurado gave up 4 runs in 1.1 IP, but they were all unearned, so he still has an ERA of 0.00. Brett Martin gave up 5 runs in 0.2 IP, and they were all earned, so he now has a 9.00 ERA.

• Want something positive from today? Jose Leclerc faced 4 batters, and got a pop up and 3 strikeouts. That’s a positive development.

• Elvis Andrus had a single and a home run. That’s good. Nomar Mazara, who has been slumping badly, had a pair of hits. Ronald Guzman had a pair of walks. Isiah Kiner-Falefa had a home run. Those are all good things.

• But yeah, this was an awful game and an awful series. These things happen to every team, and they are going to happen more often to a rebuilding team like the Rangers. You have to hope the positive signs and incremental improvements end up outweighing the bad stuff at season’s end.

• Off day tomorrow. This team can use it.