It's time to move on

thenavarro · March 31, 2011 8:10AM

Starts tomorrow. I've got tickets in hand for the first 2 games against the Red Sox tomorrow and Saturday. It was a helluva ride last year that came down to an impotent performance against the Giants. Hoping for a similar ride this year with different results at the end. We'll see.

Go Rangers!

bking · March 31, 2011 10:48PM

<< Starts tomorrow. I've got tickets in hand for the first 2 games against the Red Sox tomorrow and Saturday. It was a helluva ride last year that came down to an impotent performance against the Giants. Hoping for a similar ride this year with different results at the end. We'll see.

Go Rangers! >>

If the backend of the rotation stabilizes, and the middle relief too, it should be a great year.

Garabaldi · March 31, 2011 10:55PM

Should be a very good opening series and it is a good thing it is in Texas and not here in New England.

jdip9 · April 1, 2011 12:19AM

agree Garabaldi...with 3-5 inches of snow on the ground today, just goes to show how lucky MLB was last season when they had Sox/Yanks open the season on Sunday night. I hope they keep that in mind before starting the Sox at home to open the season.

the Rangers have a pretty likable team, I was certainly rooting for them in the WS last year.

bking · April 1, 2011 10:30AM

One step closer to an undefeated season!!!!

On a side note, how hard must it be for a batter to face Bard then Wakefield?? I'd swing multiple times at one flutterball just like an old Bugs Bunny cartoon.

thenavarro · April 1, 2011 12:25PM

Got home from the game about an hour and a half ago. Left with a good taste in my mouth, an opening day win and jalapeno sausage dogs and jalapeno nachos! I was only irritated today for a couple brief moments, the first was when the Rangers looked like a bad little league team on the opening fly ball error, and the second was when Big Papi hit the tying blast in the 8th off of a pitcher about 3 weeks older than me, Darren Oliver. The last irritation didn't last long however, as the Rangers took care of business in the bottom of the 8th and ended any doubts about the outcome.

thenavarro · April 2, 2011 1:41PM

Just got home from game 2. The Sox should have brought along the Patriots tonight as they could have used a couple of touchdowns to beat the Rangers. The ball was flying out of the park, and Maven and I were munching. Tonights scorecard consisted of Lemon Chills, Dr. Peppers, cotton candy, funnel cake with strawberries, powdered sugar and whipped cream, and bacon wrapped hot dogs. 2-0 and a stomach ache, LOL. I'll take it. Was neat to see Beltre bomb a grand slam off his old team tonight. Kinsler led off again with another homer. Kinsler is the first player in Major League history to hit a first-inning leadoff home run in the first two games of the season.

No game for me tomorrow, but I think I'm going Monday to get a replica AL Championship ring if I get off work in time. We'll see.

bking · April 3, 2011 1:39AM

Rangers are 2-0; A's are 0-2. Is the race over? ;-)

thenavarro · April 3, 2011 6:24AM

Hopefully they'll continue against AL West foe Seattle tomorrow. A win is a win, but always especially pleasing to beat the teams that others feel are superior. This weekend was basically home run derby against Boston's staff. 11 homers in 3 games. Buckholz (sp?) only gave up 9 homers in 177+ innings last year but the Rangers got him for 4 today in about 7+ innings. Kinsler and Cruz each homered again today so both have hit homers in all 3 games so far.

MCMLVTopps · April 3, 2011 6:54AM

Enjoy the moment Mike, it's a long, long season...we ain't exactlly gonna roll over.

thenavarro · April 3, 2011 7:04AM

<< Enjoy the moment Mike, it's a long, long season...we ain't exactlly gonna roll over. >>

I hear ya. Good luck to the Red Sox as I always hope y'all finish higher than the Yankees!!

thenavarro · April 4, 2011 1:09PM

Just got back again from the game. Another couple of long balls. Elvis Andrus went yard, and that doesn't happen a whole lot, and Nellie Cruz launched one as well. Tonights useless stat, Nelson Cruz became only the 3rd player in MLB history to homer in each of the first 4 games of a season. Willie Mays and Mark McGwire were the other two according to the news I just heard.

Nothing good on the food menu for me tonight, had a few chili dogs but they were only so so. Did get a fans' AL Championship ring compliments of the Rangers. They were supposed to have enough for every fan tonight, but they evidently underestimated the turnout. In my family of 4, we got 3 rings and one voucher to get one later as they ran out. They are supposed to order more and we can redeem the voucher after May 1st. We were the last family to get actual rings in the gate we came through but they ran out 3/4th's of the way through my family. No time to post a pic right now, but I'll post one of the rings in a few days. They are actually kinda neat and mine is going on my keychain.

4-0 so far. I couldn't have asked for a better start to the season.

Mike

thenavarro · April 6, 2011 1:00PM

Another nice victory. Now 6-0. Every game won in April, is one less needed in September. On to the first road trip so we'll see if they can keep it up.

thenavarro · April 9, 2011 8:06AM

Dang, they are not going to go 162-0. Just absorbed the first loss against the Orioles. Now we are tied with Cliff Lee for number of losses, LOL.

Mike

thenavarro · April 9, 2011 11:50AM

Rangers get a little retribution in game 2. Batting practice again. 13-1. Would be nice to take the series tomorrow.

thenavarro · April 10, 2011 7:05AM

Another day, familiar result. Rangers win, take the series against the O's. Not a bad start to the road trip.

thenavarro · April 11, 2011 8:25AM

Rangers got a nice outing today from one of last years 8th inning setup men. Alexi Ogando pitched seven strong innings of 2 hit baseball and the Rangers staff recorded a shutout for the 2nd straight game. They've only given up 1 run in the last 3 games.

Record now stands at 9-1.

Mike

calaban7 · April 11, 2011 9:23AM

The Rangers look good.----- Sonny

jdip9 · April 12, 2011 6:53AM

I'm not sold on the Rangers starting pitchers, but their lineup can flat out mash.

Have they started the magic number countdown in Arlington yet?

thenavarro · April 12, 2011 12:14PM

Rangers blew it in the 9th today. Besides losing the game, they've also lost Josh Hamilton for an estimated 6-8 weeks. They've been without him before, and I think they'll be fine without him this time. Rubber match with Detroit tomorrow.

thenavarro · April 13, 2011 7:34AM

Rangers choked up another one today, again in the 9th. Detroit hit a walkoff homer to win 3-2. First losing streak of the season now stands at 2 games. Congrats to Detroit on the series win. Next up is the mighty Yankees from the mighty AL East. Without the reigning AL MVP, Josh Hamilton, the Rangers will be lucky to score against those bastions of baseball, LOL.

thenavarro · April 15, 2011 11:29AM

Congrats to the New York Yankees for setting an all-time team record in their game against the Rangers tonight. The Bronx Bombers hit into 6 double plays. Their previous high was 5 in 1968.

Rangers had more runs, 5, then they had hits, 4, but it was enough to get the job done against the AL East, division leading, Yankees. Rangers broke their first losing streak of the year, and are now 4 and 3 on their first road trip of the season, with 2 more games to go .

thenavarro · April 16, 2011 4:54AM

Rangers fell today to the mighty Yankees 5-2. Game was up for grabs until Cano hit a 2 run jack off of the foul pole in the 8th. Rivera pitched like Rivera of old (kind of) in the 9th to wrap it up. Rangers fall to 4 and 4 on the road trip. The rubber game of the road trip and the Yankees series will be tomorrow.

thenavarro · April 17, 2011 2:39AM

<< I'm not exactly sure what this comment means:

"Rivera pitched like Rivera of old"

When has Rivera ever (except for the occasional game or brief stretch) stopped pitching like a stud? >>

Against the Rangers in the 2010 regular season, he made 5 appearances, of which he had 2 saves, 1 blown save, and 2 losses. He pitched 4.2 innings, gave up 7 hits, 3 earned runs, walked 3 batters and hit 1. I could of course be wrong, but my memory tells me that he didn't use to pitch like that against the Rangers. I used to let out a small word of profanity everytime he would come in from the bullpen against them, instead of actually looking forward to it as a potential opportunity for the Rangers to catch up or take the lead. He used to be dominant against them, and not just another pedestrian pitcher. Therefore, yesterday, when he pitched an inning and got a save, while only giving up one hit to the wall, I was giving him the benefit of the doubt that perhaps he was pitching like Rivera of old, at least against the Rangers. Granted, you are probably correct and could qualify last years outings as "occasional games" or "brief stretch", but I don't watch the Yankees unless they are playing the Rangers, so that's all I have to measure his performance by.

Mike

Toro · April 17, 2011 7:01AM

Rivera still has it......20 years later....who would lose it pitching only an inning or two. He's built for longevity.

thenavarro · April 17, 2011 12:20PM

I might talk a little smack, but if my team loses, I'll be right back in to congratulate the winners. Congrats to the Yankees on the series win tonight. It was a good, entertaining game to spend a Sunday night watching.

Rangers headed back home with a losing road trip, and now in a tie for 1st with the Halos. Up next, 3 against the halos. Rangers have been impotent since Hamilton hurt himself. I'll be there Wednesday night for dollar hot dog night, and other assorted ballpark delicacies

Mike

thenavarro · April 18, 2011 12:10PM

Rangers faced the prospect of falling out of first place tonight for the first time since June 7, 2010 ***, but it was not to be. They batted around in the 5th and dispatched the Angels by a score of 7-1. Rangers remain undefeated at home this year so far at 7-0.

***Angels opened the season one day earlier than Texas this year and won, so technically, they had a 1/2 game lead before the Rangers even started the season, however, that doesn't count in my book, LOL

thenavarro · April 19, 2011 1:03PM

The Halos had enough runs to beat the Cowboys tonight. They pasted a softball total on the Rangers pitchers. Now a first place tie. I'm going to the rubber game tomorrow. Hopefully I can see the Rangers keep their stranglehold on 1st.

RoarIn84 · April 19, 2011 9:20PM

This is going to be a very interesting AL West this season!! The Angels have some great young talent and are putting up good numbers already..... The A's have a lights out rotation... and the Rangers will always be a force with that lineup, with or without Hamilton!

thenavarro · April 20, 2011 1:22PM

The bitter taste of 2nd place. How sweet it's not

Angels win the series and take the lead in the West. I was at the game stuffing my face when I realized it wasn't going to be a good night, when the Rangers had Moreland at 2nd base with a double, then they get a line drive single to the outfield, and Moreland didn't even advance one base. Should have been a run, but he stayed on 2nd. Overall a poor performance, not worthy of beating a AAA pitcher, must less Weaver. A couple of errors on defense, a great catch at the way by the Angels centerfielder during crunch time, and some other great defensive grabs by the Angels were a perfect recipe for a loss.

Treetop · April 21, 2011 1:04AM

That centerfielder is Peter Bourjos. This kid is going to be great. great fielder, great arm, great foot speed and exceptional bat speed. Tuesday night he legged a 4 bagger with the help of Murphy's error and next at bat hit a 420 ft shot to left center for a home run. Bourjos, Conger, Trumbo and Walden have brought tons of excitement to the halos and lots of youth!

thenavarro · April 24, 2011 7:53AM

<< That centerfielder is Peter Bourjos. This kid is going to be great. great fielder, great arm, great foot speed and exceptional bat speed. >>

He was a lot of fun to watch. Covers a LOT of ground. When it would leave the bat, I'd be like, "dang, that fast guy is going to get that one". I didn't pay much attention to him batting, as I figure over time, the pitchers will find weaknesses and then exploit them, but his fleet of footness (may not be a word

) in the outfield can change games. Good stuff.

thenavarro · April 24, 2011 7:58AM

Rangers took the broom to the Royals this weekend. Back in first place, compliments of the Red Sox, as the Sox swept the Angels while the Rangers swept the Royals. Rangers continue to be without last years AL MVP Josh Hamilton, and last years Rookie of the Year, closer Neftali Feliz. They are using a "closer by committee" approach right now and so far so good this weekend. AARP members Darren Oliver and Arthur Rhodes both picked up saves this weekend.

thenavarro · May 8, 2011 12:35PM

I've been rehearsing Annie every night for the past couple weeks so haven't had time to watch, much less, keep up with the Rangers. Our show ran this weekend, so back in the saddle again. Evidently they have done quite a lot of stinking the place up recently. No longer in 1st, and becoming a whipping board for some teams. Hopefully they'll start the turnaround tomorrow as I have tix. I know they haven't had Josh or Feliz recently, and now I see Nellie Cruz is on the DL again as well. Having a rough run of injuries, but it's a long season so I'm sure they'll get with it eventually.

thenavarro · May 11, 2011 10:59AM

Aaargghhhh, Rangers were up 7 to 0 today and the rain hit. Was an inning away from being an official game. What a bunch of nonsense.

thenavarro · May 22, 2011 7:02AM

Slightly over a quarter of the way into the season, and the Rangers are right where they need to be. Still holding onto first place, despite missing Nelson Cruz, Josh Hamilton, and Julio Borbon (their entire starting outfield) due to injuries, and having missed significant time as well without closer Neftali Feliz (he's back now) and watching the geriatric society (Oliver and Rhodes) blow leads late and give away games. This weekend was a potential World Series preview treat for baseball fans that like well played games between quality opponents. The Rangers visited Philly for a weekend series and despite being without the aforementioned players, held their own for the most part with the mighty Phillies. The Rangers no-name hurlers, were only one run difference in 3 games for the Phillies All-World class of Halladay, Lee and Oswalt. Philadelphia took 2 out of 3 from the Rangers, and the combined tally for the weekend was 5 runs for Philly and 4 for Texas. Quick, crisp games, steal of home, suicide squeeze bunts, great baseball games to watch.

Starting tomorrow, the Rangers get Nelson and Josh back, so the season is looking up again for the Rangers.

Congrats to the Phillies fans for the weekend series win, hopefully Texas will have a full, healthy squad when we meet in October.

Mike

thenavarro · June 4, 2011 1:41PM

Nice outing tonight by Holland, and Rangers win their 3rd in a row against the Central leading, best record in the AL, Cleveland Indians. Nice to see Holland get it together tonight following another nice outing by 2011 AL Cy Young winner to be Alexi Ogando. Josh and Nellie came up big again today, both blasting homers. If the Rangers can stay healthy, they should win the West in a runaway. So far this year, with both Josh and Nellie in the lineup, the Rangers are 18-4, however when they are out, the Rangers are only 15-22. Kind of amazes me that two guys can have that kind of difference in a team sport, but hey, it is what it is.

At this point, Rangers are tied with Cleveland for the most wins in the American League. So far, so good for the defending American League Champs.

thenavarro · July 11, 2011 3:13AM

At the All Star break and Rangers are right where they need to be. Still in first. 10 games over .500, was 12 games over .500 at the break last year. Primary difference has been the 4 blown saves by closer Neftali Feliz. He had a spell where he couldn't find the plate, but he's been doing relatively well again as of late. Rangers played mediocre ball the whole first half with the exception of the season opening and the last 7 games (currently have a 7 game winning streak). Some observations and thoughts: 1) Ogando has looked like one of the best pitchers of some time, except when he plays the Yankees 2) Beltre has shown much more range and fielding capability than Michael Young had,and Young's lack of defense hurt the Rangers a lot last year 3) Michael Young has adapted to his role as everyday fill-in,dh and has played with a good attitude and a good bat after wanting to get out last offseason 4) Rangers are one of the best teams in baseball when Hamilton and Cruz both are available 5) Starting pitching has been relatively solid 6) Rangers could use a consistent setup man 7) Feliz will be fine down the stretch 8) there are 13 head to head games left against the 2nd place Halos so neither squad should have anyone else to blame other than themselves if they don't win the AL West

Come on Ron Washington's AL All Star team! Get it done this year. Rangers could have used home field advantage in the World Series last year, so hopefully the Texas, Boston, Detroit and friends contingent can get it done this year.

Mike

thenavarro · July 12, 2011 1:48PM

At least this year if Rangers make the Series, they'll only have themselves to blame for not having home field. CJ Wilson was absolutely awful at the All Star game and lost it for all the AL teams.

Sorry Boston, y'all can blame it on the Rangers if y'all get there. I won't say sorry to the Yankees, cause I'm glad CJ was awful if the Yankees make it, LOL.

thenavarro · July 16, 2011 2:26PM

Despite giving up more runs tonight then they've given up all week (one), the Rangers notched their 10th straight win, the longest winning streak in the majors this year. They've been fortunate to play bad baseball teams lately, Oakland and Seattle, but it's good to see them beating teams they should beat. Margin is now 3 games in the AL West. Pretty big series for Texas coming up this week against LAA.

Rangers hurlers notched 33 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball (sans the All Star Game), until Ichiro got an RBI in tonight's game. "King" Felix Hernandez goes to 10-14 lifetime against Texas. He's been rather plebeian against them throughout the years.

thenavarro · July 17, 2011 8:52AM

Rangers got their 11th straight win a short while ago. Another stellar pitching performance. Coupled with the Angels getting pounded by Oakland, the Rangers now have the largest lead of any division leader, 4 games.

Most of that could vanish rather quickly though as next up, the Rangers have a series with the Halos starting Tuesday. Rangers could put some serious distance between themselves and LAA with a sweep, but they could also allow them right back in the race. I'm hoping they come out of there with at least 1 win and preferably 2.

The current winning streak is tied for 2nd all time for the longest winning streak for Texas. We don't have the storied franchises like Boston and New York have, so an 11 game winning streak is pretty dang exciting around here

Go Rangers! Get it done this year.

Mike

thenavarro · July 19, 2011 2:52PM

Nice to pickup game 1 of the series vs LAA. Another Cy Young like performance by Alexi. Another shutout for the Rangers staff. They've only allowed 2 runs in the last 55 innings. Five game lead now in the West. 12 more head to head with LAA

thenavarro · July 20, 2011 2:26PM

All good things must come to an end. The longest winning streak in the majors for 5 years is over. Rangers looked bush league tonight in blowing a 8 to 3 lead over the Angels. Gave up 6 runs in one inning. Nellie Cruz left Gentry stranded at 3rd to end game and swung at strike three way out of the strike zone. Poor, overall performance. They had a chance to put some distance between themselves and LAA but couldn't get it done.

Rubber match tomorrow.

thenavarro · July 23, 2011 1:04PM

Rangers beat Toronto tonight with a 2 run rally in the bottom of the ninth. Hopefully they can build some momentum off that. Beltre got injured last night, so they'll need to pick it up a bit to offset the loss of his defense and bat. He's been way better than I had hoped for down here so far.

If I calculated correctly (and that's a big if), I believe the Rangers magic number is 58 to win the AL West. Time to start the countdown.

Mike

thenavarro · July 25, 2011 1:42PM

After being shutout by the Blue Jays yesterday, the Rangers hung 20 on the Twins tonight. Ball was flying all over the ballpark.

Magic number now 56.

thenavarro · July 30, 2011 5:35AM

Derek Holland got his 4th shutout of the season today, matching the Phillies' Cliff Lee for the major league lead. The Rangers are hanging tough despite injures to their RBI leader Adrian Beltre, Nellie Cruz, and Elvis Andrus.

Magic number down to 53.

thenavarro · July 31, 2011 5:30AM

Rangers currently losing, but the Halos got Verlandered so magic number down to 52. It's been a decent 24 hours for the Rangers despite their losing today. They addressed a definite need in their bullpen by picking up Koji Ueharra (sp?) and Mike Adams. Rangers dealt away a couple prospects, plus Tommy Hunter and Chris Davis. I will miss Tommy Hunter, but he's kind of the odd man out this year after getting injured early and other pitchers stepping up. I wish him the best with Baltimore. With Chris Davis, I'm kind of glad to see him go. He's a great minor league player, but every time he comes up to the Show, he's been a high fly ball hitter with warning track power, and a hole in his bat for strikeouts. Reminds me a lot of Justin Smoak's play with the Rangers. Perhaps he just needs a change of scenery. I hope for his sake that he eventually lives up to his potential with Baltimore as he was at least a nice guy down here, but he was out of options, and the Rangers wouldn't have had room for him once Beltre gets back.

If everyone gets back healthy, looks like a promising season afterall.

Mike

thenavarro · August 4, 2011 9:56AM

It's been an interesting last 3 games but the magic number has been reduced to 50. Uehara and Adams had both given up bombs earlier in the week which directly led to our last two losses, but both came through today. Nice to see them live up to their advertising. Rangers back to home sweet home tomorrow.

RoarIn84 · August 5, 2011 12:33PM

Yeah, feel free to beat up on Cleveland for us! I know we didn't treat you so well in Detroit, but at least we took care of Weaver for a little bit!!

thenavarro · August 5, 2011 1:33PM

<< Yeah, feel free to beat up on Cleveland for us! I know we didn't treat you so well in Detroit, but at least we took care of Weaver for a little bit!! >>

Rangers got'em for ya tonight. Great game. Rangers were down early 7-2, and were still down by two runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Josh Hamilton got a single and then Michael Young went yard to send it to extra innings. In extra innings, Rangers had two outs and Elvis reached on a bunt single. Was wild pitched to second. Then Josh Hamilton hit a grounder to shortstop and hauled rear down to 1st, Indians first baseman evidently hasn't done his scouting homework on Texas, and Elvis had kept running on the grounder, 1st baseman turned his head to look at umpire for the call at first, by the time he realized Elvis was still running, it was too late, Rangers win!!! Elivs scored from 2nd on an infield single to shortstop, LOL.

Magic number down to 49.

Mike

RoarIn84 · August 6, 2011 6:40AM

Yeah, was watching that game! Young hits that CF bomb, then Andrus scored on the infield hit. PRICELESS!!! Indians lost the way they have been winning most games- walk-off style!!

It's time to move on

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