The chase For one night, at least, the Rangers did everything right.
The hitting was fine, the starting pitching great, the bullpen super and the closer was ... scary good in a 6-2 win in Atlanta last night.
Start at the end:
1. Neftali Feliz simply looked like the guy we saw all of last season. He threw every pitch for strikes, his fastball was hitting 97 and it moved. Not only was it a strike. Not only was it 97 mph. But it was moving through the strike zone. The Braves did not have a chance in the ninth.
2. For once, the bullpen worked as it should. Arthur Rhodes got two of the three left handers that he faced out and Yoshi Tateyama -- brought into a 5-2 game with a runner on first, his first "pressure situation" -- got an inning-ending double play. I love it when a plan comes together.
3. Why did the bullpen work out? Colby Lewis. This was a huge game for him. How would he come back from his two worst starts in a very long time?
Last two starts
4.2 IP - 17 hits - 15 runs - 4 homers - 3 BBs - 4 Ks
Last night
6.2 IP - 5 hits - 2 runs - 2 homers - 3 BBs - 10 Ks
Not to rain on the parade, but home runs are becoming an issue for Lewis. In 201 innings a year ago, Lewis allowed 21 home runs. In 86 innings this year, he's allowed 19. When he's on (three total home runs in the six starts before his slide) he keeps the ball in the park (six home runs in last three starts).
3. Since Thad Bosley was fired, the Rangers offense has completely sucked. It's been awful. There's been legit questions about several guys including Nellie Cruz (who was on a 0-18 slump before last night) and Ian Kinsler (who's been certifiably awful all year). It didn't hurt facing a rookie just called up from Double A, but the Rangers had 12 hits and six runs, four coming in game-breaking fifth inning. Cruz went 2-4 with two doubles and three RBI. Josh Hamilton had four hits and three RBI, two coming on a two-run bomb. There were hard-hit balls all day. Not exactly efficient (Rangers were 1-8 with runners on at one point and they were shut down late by the Braves' bullpen), but a good one nonetheless.
A kidney stone-less Matty Harrison and the Rangers offense will be another interesting watch this afternoon.
