Thoughts on an 11-3 Rangers loss

Mariners 11, Rangers 3

• The A’s are not really the A’s — they are the Athletics. People just call them the A’s for short, because Athletics sounds weird and isn’t a great nickname.

• I kind of feel like that’s what should happen with the Mariners — we should just call them the M’s.

• It was a bullpen day today, with Mike Minor, whose spot in the rotation was due today, being pushed back to start tomorrow. Bullpen days can work well in September when you have expanded rosters and extra relievers, but doing it requires your relievers to pitch well.

• That didn’t happen today.

• Brett Martin started the game and was likely slated to go a couple of innings. He couldn’t make it out of the first, however, walking two and allowing three hits, with four runs ending up on his ledger.

• Seven pitchers pitched for Texas, with only the two guys activated from the 60 day injured list today, Jeffrey Springs and Edinson Volquez, making it through the outing without allowing a run.

• It is cool that Volquez, who has spent most of the season on the injured list with a damaged UCL and who is retiring after the season, was able to get back on the mound. He will likely pitch a few more times this month in what will be his swan song.

• The other four pitchers are guys battling to stay on the 40 man roster during the offseason — Luke Farrell, Taylor Guerrieri, Adrian Sampson and Ian Gibaut. Farrell and Guerreri are out of options, and Rafael Montero appears to have the inside track for the “righty reliever out of options” spot on the 40 man roster. Sampson does has options and offers rotation depth. Gibaut has options and a big arm and is a relief option. None was good today.

• Every starter had a hit today except for Logan Forsythe and Jeff Mathis, and really, we aren’t too concerned about them.

• Ronald Guzman and Nomar Mazara, each of whom was added to the roster today as part of expansion, pinch hit. Guzman walked and Mazara struck out.

• Nick Solak, the only player most of you care about right now, had a walk, an HBP, and a double. Isiah Kiner-Falefa had a pair of hits.

• A disappointing way to end one of the last homestands in Globe Life Park history. On to the Big Apple.