Baseball Journal 8-8-13

“That should have sent the remaining fans to the parking lot.  If this was a get away day, the Angels would be backing up the team bus and exiting the field.”  It was funny that at the beginning of the Ranger-Angel series this week, the announcers were crowing over the Angels’ demise this season.  By the third game, after Erick Aybar had committed a terrible error in an already hopeless game, Matt Hicks expressed the above, showing some sympathy for the team.  Eric Nadel seemed to feel genuinely sorry for them. 

I, on the other hand, shall ungraciously exult my hated enemies’ downfall.  I got to hear the end of all three games over the radio after work.  Game One on Monday was right after the Nelson Cruz suspension.  His Ranger teammates expressed unanimous support for him and said they’d be happy to take him back if they get into the playoffs after his suspension is over.  They’ve stood by Wash after his drug problem, and they stood by Hamilton and his problems while he was with team.  So, flawed people, but like a family in times of trouble.  Seems like Michael Young’s leadership has rubbed off on them and been passed on.

The score in the first game was 5-2, but it should have been closer.  The Angels loaded the bases in the 7^th and only got a run.  The Rangers suddenly stopped taking good at bats.  After two errors, the Angels loaded the bases again in the 8^th, but even with five outs, couldn’t get a run.  I kind of assume Wash gave the Rangers another good talking to after the game about their performance.      

In the game two, Kevin Jepson had a reputation of being easy to run on.  The Rangers solidified that with six steals.  Ernesto Frieri was brought in for a non-save situation in a close game and by the time he left, the game was no longer close.  He only got one out.  They didn’t give any speed gun readings, so I don’t know if he’s still throwing 100mph, but right now, Frieri’s essentially tossing batting practice.  I don’t know if he’s still the Angels’ closer.  I’m not even sure the Angels have or need a closer at this point.  Final score 8-3, Rangers.

Game three on Wednesday ran so long, Eric and Matt were actually discussing what was the record for length for nine inning games.  The Rangers just belligerently pounded them late in the game, 10-3.  If Pujols was still with the Angels, they’d likely score more runs, but with their pitching staff, it wouldn’t matter.  I think I heard Eric mention that Hamilton was 2 for his last 25 at bats, or something like that.  That is a huge hole in the middle of your lineup.  Essentially all the Rangers had to do was just pitch around Trout and let the rest of the team bat for their average. 

I’ve pronounced the Rangers dead twice.  Over at Lone Star Ball a week ago, they not only said they were dead, but that the viewing would take place at Ranger Ballpark and would continue for the rest of the season.  The Angels would be in attendance, with other teams following to pay their respects. 

Are the Rangers overachieving right now?  Are they going to be able to keep depending on their starting and relief pitching?  (If the Rangers win the division, that Garza deal is going to get the credit.)  Will hustle, moving runners over, and base stealing be enough to keep the Rangers scoring without Cruz?  At the beginning of the season, it was predicted that the AL West would be won by whoever beat the Astros the most.  I guess you can add the Angels and the Mariners to that list too.