Thoughts on a 4-1 Rangers loss

D-Backs 4, Rangers 1

• It seems like it has been the same story every game this year for the Rangers...the pitching is good, the defense has a key lapse or two, and the offense is awful.
• Kyle Gibson made his Ranger debut and only made it five innings, in large part due to a bad first inning that put the Rangers in an immediate hole. After retiring the first two batters of the inning, Gibson thought he had struck out Starling Marte to end the inning. Alas, it was a ball instead of strike three, and Marte ended up walking. Eduardo Escobar singled, and an ill-advised, ill-aimed throw to third by Danny Santana allowed Escobar to advance to second.
• A Christian Walker grounder to third base looked like it would end the inning with no damage, but Isiah Kiner-Falefa, back in the lineup after missing a pair of games with a hamstring issue, threw low to first base, Todd Frazier was unable to scoop it, and it was a 2-0 game. A David Peralta single made it 3-0, then Jake Lamb walked, and it appeared the wheels might be about to come off, but Gibson got a ground out to end the inning.
• The IKF error was the biggest play in the game, and there was debate over whether the blame went to IKF for the bad throw or to Frazier for not catching it. The answer to me is both — Kiner-Falefa threw low on a play where he wasn’t rushed, while Frazier could have, and should have, scooped it. Both players could have made a play to get the Rangers out of the inning with no runs scoring, and both failed.
• Gibson allowed three hits and a walk the rest of the way, with no runs. Overall it was a pretty decent outing, but the first inning meant be got the loss.
• Jordan Lyles made his Ranger debut in relief of Gibson and threw two scoreless innings. Expect to see him again on Saturday, when I expect he will get the start.
• Ian Gibaut had his first rough outing of the year, allowing a run on lead off double, a balk, and a two out double. Gibaut also issued a two out walk after the second double, prompting Chris Woodward to get Luke Farrell up in the pen, but Gibaut got the third out to end the inning.
• Edinson Volquez pitched the ninth. He did fine.
• The lone highlight offensively was a Rougned Odor home run that broke up a no-hitter and a shutout. Elvis Andrus and Robinson Chirinos singled and Joey Gallo walked, and that was it for the bats.
• This wasn’t expected to be a real good offensive team. That said, it’s not as bad as it has looked in the first four games. But when a team isn’t scoring runs, it feels like they will never score again.
• Rougie’s home run had a 104.4 EV, the highest of the game. Elvis was the only other Ranger to break 100 mph — his two outs were at 104.3 and 101.3.
• Ian Gibaut had the six fastest fastballs of the night, ranging from 95.6 to 96.2. Jordan Lyles touched 94, and Kyle Gibson topped out at 93.8.
• Hopefully the Rangers win tomorrow. I don’t want to go into the off day with a four game losing streak.