Here’s a wrap-up of the week that was in Texas Rangers baseball. All stats listed are just for the previous week of play.
Rangers Record: 2-4
Overall: 37-25 (1st Place AL West) (+1/2)
Adrian Beltre .333/.360/.708 3 HR 4 RBI
A.J. Pierzynski .360/.385/.520 4 Doubles
Leonys Martin .067/.176/.067
Lance Berkman .118/.286/.118
Jalapeno Caliente (Pitching):
Neal Cotts 0.00 ERA 2-0 in 3 appearances
Raspa Frio (Pitching):
Justin Grimm 0-1 14.73 ERA in 2 starts
Michael Kirkman 0-1 27.00 ERA in 2 appearances
Plain and simple, this past week sucked. Texas got off to a miserable start to the week, dropping a 17-5 decision to the Boston Red Sox. The only inning the Red Sox DIDN’T score in that game was the 8th, pitched by non-pitcher David Murphy. Texas recovered to take Game 2, but dropped the series finale. In Toronto. one bad inning ruined Nick Tepesch‘s decent pitching performance but the offense went south. On Saturday, Yu Darvish had one bad inning, but the Rangers came back to tie the game in the 9th. After that, the offense went south again and Toronto finally eked out the win in the 18th inning. There was finally some offensive life shown on Sunday as Texas took the finale 6-4. Saturday, the Oakland A’s took over first place in the AL West, but Texas took it back on Sunday.
To add to the Rangers’ woes, the Rangers lost Mitch Moreland for at least two weeks with a hamstring issue, while two pitchers landed on the disabled list Sunday. Alexi Ogando, who had just returned from the DL and made a winning start against Boston, reported shoulder soreness and went right back on the list again. When he returns, it is now doubtful he will be a starting pitcher. Michael Kirkman, who everyone has been expecting to be released due to poor performance, turned up with skin cancer recurring on his non-throwing arm, so he alit on the DL as well. Rookie Chris McGuiness got the call-up from Round Rock to fill in for Moreland and had his first two career hits on Sunday. Replacing Ogando and Kirkman are Kyle McClellan, who pitched in relief on Sunday, and Josh Lindblom, who made a spot start a few weeks ago and will start tonight against the Indians.
Texas gets to enjoy home cooking for the next week and a half, with an 11-game home stand coming up. First up is Cleveland Monday through Wednesday, followed by four against the Blue Jays. Despite the injuries, home cooking should suit the Rangers, so I see them going at least 4-3 for the week. Hopefully, that will be enough to stave off the hot A’s, who also are at home all week against the Yankees and the Mariners.
Related articles
- Rangers place Ogando, Kirkman on DL (myrtlebeachonline.com)
Filed under: Series Recaps Tagged: Adrian Beltre, AJ Pierzynski, Alexi Ogando, Chris McGuiness, Josh Lindblom, Justin Grimm, Kyle McClellan, Michael Kirkman, Mitch Moreland, Neal Cotts, Texas Rangers, Yu Darvish