In case you missed it last night…

First of all, ESPN sucks! I’m really tired of the East Coast bias.  I turned on SportsCenter this morning hoping to see Hank Blalock’s 2-run walk-off double or Elvis Andrus’ magnificent play up the middle on Top Plays. Neither made the cut. Instead, there were two soccer plays. SOCCER!

Anyway, what a game last night! Brandon McCarthy battled for 7 innings, his longest outing as a Ranger.  I didn’t like all the long balls he gave up, but he threw strikes and kept the Rangers in the game. He got the no decision, leaving with the game tied 4-4.

“Cardiac” Wilson, like always, kept it interesting. I enjoyed the attempted “Elvis Andrus” play, diving to his left to snag a bunt.  It would have been a great play if he hadn’t mishandled the exchange. Still, he had a runner picked off stealing and sailed the ball over Chris Davis’ head – allowing the runner to advance. It is plays like that, routine bone-head mistakes, that drive me nuts! I know C.J has good stuff. I know he can make plays. But I am baffled by the lack of execution.Still, he got the win.

Another thing that drives me crazy…swinging away with runners on first and second, nobody out, and trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the 11th. I realize base hits and home runs are cooler than bunts. No one likes to sacrifice bunt. Everyone wants to be the hero. But when the game is on the line, you have to play smart baseball. Andruw Jones is a professional. In that situation, Ron Washington has to call for the sacrifice bunt. Instead, Jones strikes out – a wasted at bat.  At least he didn’t hit into a double play!

And now for the hero…Hank Blalock stepped to the plate to face Brandon Morrow with one out and runners on first and second. Morrow was consistenly hitting 97-98 on the radar gun. Hank ripped a fastball off the wall in right-center, scoring Michael Young and Josh Hamilton. The crowd erupted! The Rangers poured out of the dugout, attacking first Hamilton then Blalock, trotting in from second.  It was a great scene at the ballpark!

The Rangers increased their lead over the Mariners to 2.5 games and held serve against the Angels, who beat Boston 8-4.

Afternoon game today to conclude the series with the M’s. The Rangers try for the….