“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 7th and only got a run.
The Rangers suddenly stopped taking good at bats. After two errors, the Angels loaded the bases
again in the 8th, 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.
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