Double down Most nights the spotlight is placed on the pitching staff. In their 4-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox, the MLB.com story focused on Cody Eppley allowing the winning run.
Bunk. They gloss over the Rangers having one extra-base hit (an Endy Chavez double), leaving 18 runners on base or squandering seven walks in addition to a quality Matt Harrison start.
Hell, they even gloss over Harrison's own control problems walking two White Sox before Brett Morel's three-run home run. That was the real clincher. Of course, the Rangers offense had one actual RBI (they scored on a double play ball, an error and a sac fly). Do not worry about Neftali Feliz, Darren Oliver or anyone else.
The same ol' story in Kansas City last night. Alexi Ogando was fantastic (seven innings, five baserunners). Yet, the offense did not show up. They eked out five runs after a two-run Adrian Beltre single in the 11th inning.
Imagine scoring just three runs in regulation off 13 walks, eight hits and five stolen bases. They left 22 on base. That is ridiculous. Even bad teams will get six across with 21 men on base.
They ground into three double plays and "wasted" three outs on sacrifices, including one by Ian Kinsler, your No. 3 hitter.
Furthermore, Mike Young walked three times in virtual intentional fashion because opponents apparently have zero problem throwing to Beltre, in spite of his 37 RBI.
Thankfully, help may be on the way. Josh Hamilton and Nellie Cruz rehabbed last night in Frisco. Hamilton homered. In any situation in which Dave Murphy, Craig Gentry, Chavez and Mitch Moreland aren't the outfielders is a vast improvement.
It'll allow Beltre to move down and potentially protect Hamilton in the three-hole with Mike Young (or Cruz). Right now, Beltre's your No. 7 hitter with Cruz and Hamilton healthy, right?
I do wonder if the Rangers are rushing Hamilton back a little, whether he's truly healthy or not? That could be bad news. Recurring injuries typically always crop up. Rather get him healthy now.
