New York Yankees @ Texas Rangers -- April 25, 2012

1st INNING

This series has totally convinced me that Tim McClelland is the worst umpire in the league. Glad to see Ron Washington taking a stroll out to have a word with him and back up Kinsler on the blown call at second base.

Hamilton's showing a really nice eye by taking the pitches that are just off the plate high and outside, a location that has given him lots of trouble in the past.

2nd INNING

Once again, a leadoff hitter on base against Feldman to start an inning.
Another amazing play by Hamilton in center field. This stretch to start the season has got to be the best baseball he's played in his career.

1-0 RANGERS

It takes Beltre one game to get the home run swing back; I'd say that's a pretty natural swing that he's got.

3rd INNING

Feldman has been consistently challenging batters up high in the zone, and getting away with it so far.
I guess if you're going to hang a curveball right over the plate you might as well do it to Jeter and not one of the Yankees batters with more power. A two-out single could have been a home run and a tie game instead.


Rangers batters look like they are taking a very patient approach against Hughes in this game.

2-0 RANGERS

Elvis is great at just doing what the situation calls for as a batter.
The Yankees look like they are anticipating a steal from Hamilton. Right after the pickoff move by Hughes, they waste a pitch up high with the catcher standing up looking to throw right away. I'm sure they'd like to get out of this inning without even having to get Beltre out at the plate.

3-0 RANGERS

Beltre is officially locked in at the plate.

4-0 RANGERS

Hughes just defined the hanging curveball. Young isn't going to miss one like that.
Good thing Cruz wears his jersey baggy. "Hit" by the pitch to load the bases.
Looks like we're going to get to take a long look at the Yankees bullpen tonight.
It's got to be tough to adjust to the sidearm delivery of Clay Rapada with only one out to spare in the inning.

4th INNING

Hamilton is showing good judgment in the outfield by really picking which balls he can afford to go all-out for and which he needs to play off a bounce.
Hard to field a ground ball when a shattered bat is flying between your legs. Feldman got pretty lucky not to get injured.

4-1 RANGERS

Not sure how Raul Ibanez managed to hit the ball that far on a pitch that was that high. It's got to be frustrating for Feldman as a former starting pitcher to get pulled out of a game just 10 outs in, especially after a hit coming on a garbage pitch that was way out of the zone. Both bullpens are going to be tested tonight.

4-2 RANGERS

You have to be okay with a sac fly here if Robbie Ross is able to follow it with one more out.

5-2 RANGERS

That's the second time this year that Napoli has wrapped a home run just inside the right field foul pole; perfect timing with the opposite field swing to not take the ball foul.
Nice to see Elvis get the bunt taken care of on the first pitch when he can catch the pitcher a little more off guard.
You know your lineup is good when Josh Hamilton gets intentionally walked just so that the pitcher can face Adrian Beltre.

5th INNING

Robbie Ross continues to impress with lots of weak contact.


That was the first quick inning since the beginning of the game

6th INNING

Ross really controls the tempo of a game when he is pitching.
Teixeira is a bad liar when it comes to trying to buy a call.

6-2 RANGERS

Pitchers don't get through many painless innings with this Rangers lineup. Always a good sign to see Moreland hit one out.
Even more situational batting from Elvis with another bunt. That's three very strategic at-bats from him in this game.
Lets hope Beltre takes the second intentional walk of Hamilton a little more personal this time.

7-2 RANGERS

Hindsight is 20/20 after Beltre's RBI, but I'm having a hard time understanding Joe Girardi's two intentional walks of Hamilton tonight. It would make sense if Beltre was having an off night at the plate, but he's been locked in this whole game. When he's hot he is just as much of a threat as Josh Hamilton, so why not just deal with him?

7th INNING

It's weird seeing Neftali Feliz at this point in a game.

7-3 RANGERS

Raul Ibanez definitely came to play tonight. It looks like he's been sitting on the fastball all night.


Moreland looks like he's starting a little hot stretch of his own with the home run earlier and another near miss.

8th INNING

Other than the one mistake from Feliz, the bullpen has been spotless.

9th INNING

Once again, I like Ron Washington's use of Joe Nathan here even without it being a save situation. Great chance to get some more work in after only having to throw one pitch last night.
Just like Darvish, Nathan seems like he's getting sharper with each appearance.

FINAL: 7-3 RANGERS

New York Yankees @ Texas Rangers -- April 23, 2012

1st INNING

Exciting close play on the first pitch of the game, but you never want to be facing this lineup with runners on base right from the beginning.
Holland was doing a nice job attacking inside against Cano, but the one mistake he made over the middle was taken for a base hit.
Alex Rodriguez hasn't lost any of his intimidation factor as a batter, and Teixeira looks straight up angry at the plate right now. Yankees look very into this game.

2-0 YANKEES

Holland made a good pitch, but the Yankees look like they're ready to take advantage of any pitch that isn't perfect. Granderson got just enough of it to drop it in the outfield.

Two base hits and the Rangers look ready to respond. This game has the feel of a high-scoring shootout so far.
2-1 YANKEES
Elvis almost got pegged in the head on a double-play throw.

2nd INNING

Holland looked like he was on his way to a 1-2-3 inning. Pretty rough losing the potential last out after starting the at-bat with two strikes.
The great defense continues from Hamilton, even with the sun making left field look like a pretty tough spot to see the ball from.

Similar responses from each pitcher as they come back with a quick inning after giving up runs early.

3rd INNING

Holland has seemed reluctant to really go after A-Rod in both of his at-bats.

Sabathia is looking like a machine right now and hitting his spot on just about every pitch. He's even got the pick-off move looking pretty sharp; close call with Andrus. Not a good sight for the Rangers offense if he can keep looking this dominant.

4th INNING

The defense at third base from Michael Young and Alberto Gonzalez hasn't taken a step backwards at all from the quality of defense that Beltre has to offer. Some really nice plays in the last couple of games while Beltre has been injured.

More really weakly hit balls off of Sabathia.
Cruz is the first batter I can think of to make solid contact on a pitch from Sabathia.

5th INNING

It looks like one of those games where the ball is carrying really well to right field in this ballpark.
3-1 YANKEES

6-1 YANKEES

A-Rod has looked like he was ready to tee one up like that the whole game, but that was definitely a very bad pitch from Holland. You can't miss inside the strike zone against a batter like Alex Rodriguez.

Arguing with the called strike probably isn't going to take away the strikeout for Kinsler. Got to say I agree with the umpire anyway.

6th INNING

7-1 YANKEES
It looks to me like Ron Washington is fine with leaving Holland in to eat some innings until the offense shows any sign at all of trying to make a comeback against Sabathia.

Looks like Hamilton found another victim with one of his flying bats. Right into the elbow of a fan...ouch.
7-2 YANKEES
Pretty subdued reaction from the dugout after Hamilton's home run. Still a long way to go.
I'd be surprised if Sabathia didn't finish this game.

7th INNING

Close call with A-Rod almost taking the ball out of the park to dead center with no wind. Not a nice greeting for Mark Lowe.

This umpire won't give the pitchers anything that's up in the zone.
7-4 YANKEES
The thought crossed my mind during both Snyder's and Gentry's at-bats that Murphy should be pinch-hitting, but they both came up big.

8th INNING

Nice dominant inning from Mark Lowe to get the offense right back out there.

9th INNING

Both Uehara and Lowe did a great job giving the offense a chance by keeping the Yankees from padding the lead any more after Holland went out.

Those are two very loud outs against Mariano Rivera. Cruz and Torrealba both almost made this interesting.

FINAL: 7-4 YANKEES

Texas Rangers @ Detroit Tigers -- April 22, 2012

1st

1-0 RANGERS

Any pitch to Hamilton on the inner part of the plate doesn't stand a chance right now. He's doing a nice job ignoring all of the outside stuff and waiting to jump on a pitch whenever the pitcher comes inside.

One batter faced, one hanging curveball from Colby.
Gonzalez looking Beltre-like with a great stab and throw from third to first.

2nd

The low strike is definitely available to pitchers this afternoon.
Torrealba isn't doing himself any favors by taking the obvious strikes until he's in a two-strike hole, and then being forced to swing at the garbage pitches.

This umpire hasn't been the model of consistency so far.
Miscommunication on a pop fly between Gonzalez and Andrus may have just caused Elvis to hurt his ankle.

3rd

Sometimes it looks like Elvis lets the umpire's calls affect his mindset for the rest of an at-bat.

When Hamilton is producing at the plate, he seems like he is relaxed and having a lot of fun. When Hamilton is relaxed and having a lot of fun, it seems like he just keeps producing more and more. That's a cycle that is working out pretty nicely for the Rangers.

The Tigers are pounding any of Colby's pitches that catch the middle.

1-1

Big swing in the game from Torrealba nearly being able to catch a foul ball for the last out to Colby throwing a costly wild pitch.
Cruz's arm more than makes up for his occasional misplays on the ball in right field.

4th

Horrible jump by Cruz trying to steal second. Ron Washington doesn't look too happy.

The defensive alignment that the Rangers have used in this series against Prince Fielder has worked out just about perfectly. Solidly hit balls have still been resulting in outs.

5th

Smyly manhandled the bottom two batters in the Rangers lineup but walks Kinsler on four pitches. Wonder if the bigger bats have him feeling some pressure with the game tied.

Perfectly timed jump by Elvis for the third out. With that landing, I guess his ankle is fine after the run-in with Alberto Gonzalez earlier. 

Both pitchers are settling in and moving through innings at a pretty quick pace now.

6th

Looks like Hamilton wants to follow up his hitless game last night with an outless game today.

Colby and Hamilton need some help from the rest of the Rangers.

2-1 TIGERS

Colby has managed to get some loud outs with his mistake pitches for most of the game, but not this time to Boesch.

7th

Murphy has been showing great patience at the plate lately and really waiting for his pitch. He's not afraid to take a walk in any situation.

Apparently there's no running allowed on Avila today. Two runners trying to take second base haven't even come close.

8th

The corners of this umpire's strike zone have been a mystery all day.

2-2 

After getting base hits all day, Hamilton shows that he can also play the situation and get a clutch sac fly if need be.

Ogando vs. Cabrera; does it get any better than that?

9th

Very surprised to see Phil Coke coming back out to start this inning. Looked a little shaky at times in the 8th. 

Hate to see Torrealba giving up an out bunting Napoli over to second, only to have him stranded there for the rest of the inning.  Would have been a great spot for the younger guys to contribute by bringing in the run.

It looks like Adams is putting a little extra into his pitches in this situation with the game tied. He's really getting his body into it and his pitches look sharp.  

10th

Not the best time for Kinsler to be swinging at the first pitch.

Three hits, a sac fly, and a walk in extra innings; Hamilton has gotten it done in every at bat, but he needs some help from his teammates.

 11th

3-2 RANGERS

Bases loaded squeeze play put on by the Rangers; classic Ron Washington.

Looks like the umpires missed the fact that the bunt went off of Gonzalez's leg. Whatever gets a run across, right?

I'm looking forward to the times when I won't feel nervous with Joe Nathan coming into a game.

Well, the last out was way too close to being a walk-off home run, but Nathan gets it done in a tight game against some very good batters.

FINAL: 3-2 RANGERS

Texas Rangers @ Boston Red Sox -- April 18, 2012

1st

It's all the more impressive that Hamilton is hitting for power but still staying focused enough to know when to just make contact and drop in a line drive. His head is right on every pitch and he's waiting on the ball when he needs to.

There's not really an excuse for walking the leadoff hitter when the Rangers have been hitting the way they have. Holland should be attacking the zone right from the start and trusting his teammates to back him up if they need to.
Great pitching, even in pressure situations, has been the story of the Rangers rotation so far.

2nd

More tests coming up for Holland with runners on and nobody out.

2-0 RED SOX

Home run and the Red Sox go up by two early; sounds strangely familiar. Let's hope the rest of the game goes like last night too.
Interesting mix of strikeouts and loud outs so far from Holland. Hard to gauge where his stuff is at tonight.

3rd

Kinsler seems a little too relaxed on the basepaths sometimes.

The Red Sox outfield has mastered the art of relaying a ball off the Monster, but definitely still a blown call at second by the umpire.

2-1 RED SOX

I was starting to wonder when we would see the first "OH NO" inducing head-first slide from Hamilton. He's getting it done with power, batting average, his glove, his arm, and now speed on the basepaths.

Cruz has looked like he's letting the pressure to perform get to him in certain situations this year. I think a big part of the Rangers' success has been their ability to show great focus while still being able to avoid letting the mental stress of any situation impact them. Cruz sometimes looks like he has room to work on bringing this calmness to his game. 

Nice work from Holland to get back to the dugout quick. The offense was threatening last inning, and you like to see him give them a chance to stay in their rhythm.

4th

3-2 RANGERS

Once again, the Rangers don't waste much time before they use the long ball to make up a deficit. Napoli is officially on fire. 

Beckett is giving Brandon Snyder some serious trouble tonight.

If the Rangers put up a few more runs soon, we might start to see a very discouraged Red Sox team. With the game unfolding in a very similar way to the beatdown that happened last night, I'm sure they would be a pretty frustrated group with a little more separation in this score after already giving up the lead.

5th

Holland's quick innings and Hamilton actually grounding into an out for once could be signs that these pitchers are starting to settle in. 

Seems like the leadoff batter has been a struggle for Holland in several innings.

Hard to get the high curveball for a called strike on a batter as small as Pedroia.

Holland has done a great job of damage control tonight.

6th

Cruz has got to know when to take a little bit off his swing.

The Red Sox batters have been pretty demonstrative with their disagreement about a few called strikes in this game, but they really haven't been that questionable of calls from the umpire. 

7th

Beckett's curveball continues to baffle Snyder. I'm sure Bobby Valentine is willing to push Beckett as far as he can go, and then some, with how much his bullpen had to work last night.

Even with the tying run in scoring position, Holland looks like he should stay in this game. His pitches are still looking very sharp.

Good idea by Napoli and nice pitch from Holland testing the same spot over the inside corner after a near miss. Thought the umpire would call it the second time. 

Napoli is calling some very smart pitches from Holland based on the way these at-bats are unfolding. He's playing mind games with the Red Sox batters. 

8th

Have to agree with the move by the Red Sox of walking Beltre to get to Cruz.

A walk after an intentional walk has got to be infuriating for a manager. After showing a pitcher confidence in his ability to attack a certain batter, the pitcher responds by shying away from contact.

4-2 RANGERS

What a job by Gentry holding his ground and letting that pitch hit him in the ankle to push in a run. Ouch.

6-2 RANGERS

Bad execution by the Red Sox pitchers and more great hitting by the Rangers is adding up. This is how a team is supposed to respond when the opposition gifts them with baserunners.
I'd say a double play was more along the lines of what Valentine was looking for with his second attempt this inning at the intentional walk strategy.

 9th

Kinsler finally pushes his luck too far straying away from first base.

The Rangers don't change their style of play when they have a comfortable lead, just like they don't change it when they're trailing. Consistency of effort has translated into wins.

I like that Ron Washington is bringing in Nathan in this type of game. It's as close to a save situation as it could be without actually being one. Hopefully that makes for a little bit less stress and a quick inning to end this game.

Even with the umpire bailing him out on one of the pitches, Nathan still manages to find a way to walk the leadoff batter. No way is he going to let this happen again though, not with a four run lead.

Nice use of the breaking pitches to get Ortiz out of the way. He's a batter that can spark a comeback pretty quick if he gets a hold of one, especially with the crowd looking like they're dying for any excuse to get back into this game.

The moment of hesitation by Beltre as he looked for a play at second seems like it led to the wild throw. Snyder came way too close to getting trampled at first.

6-3 RANGERS

Not much blame goes to Nathan for that run; Nelly misplays another ball in right field by hesitating on a sinking line drive.

Washington looks like he's getting fed up with the 9th inning dramatics.

FINAL: 6-3 RANGERS

 

Texas Rangers @ Boston Red Sox -- April 17, 2012

1st

Lester is finding a way to give Kinsler a ton of attention on first but still come to the plate with some really sharp pitches.

Mike Aviles is a very nervous looking batter.

2-0 RED SOX

On top of having a very solid lineup, the Red Sox are also a tough road team to play defensively because of their ability to utilize the Green Monster. Pedroia knows the types of pitches that he can put a pull swing on and yank over the Monster for a quick home run.
Colby isn't hitting the corners with his breaking pitches like he was in his last start.
You really miss Hamilton's arm in center field when you see a throw like the one Gentry just had. Colby's bringing back the glove scoop defensive play from last year!

2nd

If Cruz gets an inside pitch during his first at-bat, he should use the Green Monster like Pedroia did. 
Fenway is such a great park. I don't think any other park has the potential to alter the game like this one with all the weird dimensions and angling of the walls. 
Definition of a no-doubter from Napoli; looks like the Monster's gonna be a popular spot tonight.

2-2

It's ridiculous how quickly and positively the Rangers offense is reacting  to adversity. Every time they need one or two runs, their batters just step up and calmly string some hits together like its nothing.
Umpire is calling some low strikes. Lester should be taking advantage of that but is loading the bases instead.
3-2 RANGERS
With all the power in this lineup, speed can still get runs scored too.
Hit or error, Hamilton's going to get on base somehow in this hot streak.
4-2 RANGERS
It's a great sign to see the other team's bullpen warming up in the 2nd inning of the first game of a series.
I've never seen a batter that gets anywhere close to as excited as Beltre does when a high fastball is on the way.
A strikeout in the first at bat and now chasing pitches that are up in the zone; could be an off-night for Young.

Definitely a strike zone favoring the pitchers so far, and Colby's taking advantage of it.

3rd

It's officially a hit parade against Lester. If Lester can't even hit the wider strike zone that's been there so far, this could get ugly pretty quick.
Bobby Valentine isn't exactly the face of encouragement when he goes in to take a pitcher out.
5-2 RANGERS
Red Sox look like they're over thinking everything. Rangers might as well just start each inning with the bases loaded.

6-2 RANGERS

7-2 RANGERS
Of course Hamilton's going to find the hole in the infield.

I still don't understand how Youkilis can even swing the bat with the way he starts out gripping it in his stance.

4th

More frustration for Young.

Sox keep on testing out right-center, but it's staying in the park.
Hamilton really is as much of a defensive asset as he is an offensive one; what a gun.

5th

The defense from the Red Sox tonight has been pretty hilarious...

Can't be fun for Aviles batting first immediately after getting taken out by a slide in the top of the inning.
Completely opposite defensive performances from each of these teams. Colby has only made one mistake pitch so far. 

6th

8-2 RANGERS
Right when I'm thinking the Red Sox pitchers are settling in a bit, Young decides to take one out. Right-center field too, right where the Sox have been trying to go all night it seems.

Sometimes the Green Monster just gets the best of the fielders.
Rangers pitchers don't really seem to care how "hitter-friendly" any given ballpark is. They've been lights out regardless.

7th

The threatening, but just short, fly balls to right-center keep coming from both teams. Gentry looks more comfortable at the plate, but his swing is off.

First time I've seen the wave at Fenway.
Colby is pitching dirty right now. So much movement on the curveball and hitting the perfect spot with the fastball to take advantage of the lower part of the strike zone being available tonight.

8th

The weak defense from Cody Ross continues. Hard-hit ball from Kinsler but very catchable if Ross hadn't started in. There's only been one or two easy innings for Red Sox pitchers tonight. 

11-2 RANGERS

This has got to be one of Hamilton's best games on both sides of the ball, and probably one of his best starts to a season.
12-2 RANGERS
Beltre wanted in on the home run fun too!
14-2 RANGERS
So did Nelly. I'd hate to be a Red Sox fan right now.
Why even change pitchers at this point? Rangers are hitting everything.
I can't even believe how bad the Sox defense has been.
And the backups finally start getting plate appearances.
15-2 RANGERS
Pretty surprised with how many fans have stayed at the park.
16-2 RANGERS
More power from Elvis.
Hard to believe it was 2-0 Red Sox at one point.

16-3 RANGERS
Uehara giving up a home run; what a shocker.
Nothing has snowballed with the Rangers pitchers this year. It seems like mistakes are being forgotten instantly.

9th

Even Murph is able to come off the bench and get a hit right away. Been that kind of night. 

18-3 RANGERS

Didn't think there was any way that home run by Napoli was fair! Perfect hook around the right field pole.

Nice to see Mark Lowe in there. He hasn't had many opportunities.
Rally cap with the team down 15 runs, good stuff.

FINAL: 18-3 RANGERS

 

10 Games In

Hard to find much to even nitpick about with the Rangers so far. The back of the bullpen would be the only possible question, but even the miscues by Nathan weren't really complete collapses; he was definitely pitching in very tight situations. As far as the batters, several of them are in a very nice rhythm right now. Kinsler, Hamilton, Beltre, and Young all seem like they're making solid contact just about every time they're up. Murphy has faded a little from his hot stretch to start the season, but I still like him in the lineup just about every day. We're still waiting to see a little more from Elvis, but I like that Napoli got his first home run out of the way before the off day today.

The young pitchers have been really exciting to watch. Right now, I feel like Feliz needs to work on stamina and Darvish needs to work on nerves, and then they can both be lights out. Feliz looked untouchable in his last start until he had to start putting a little more effort into his pitches, and it seemed like he lost his accuracy and started getting frustrated. With Darvish, he just seems nervous. He keeps pitching himself into serious trouble, but once he leaves himself with no margin for error he's been able to come out with the strikeout pitches to keep runners in place. Can't wait for the first start that he comes into feeling totally confident and adjusted to the different atmosphere in the U.S.

Ogando has been the best pitcher so far (on a team full of very good pitchers). His fastball looks awesome, and he looks very comfortable in his role. Comfortable, but he might be out to prove something this year too. I'm thinking he may be following a pretty similar long-term path to the one that Feliz has taken through the Rangers' pitching staff. Wouldn't be surprised to see him settle into this role and fine tune his pitches for a year or two before filling a future need in the starting rotation.

Texas Rangers @ Minnesota Twins -- April 15, 2012

1st

Twins tied for the most errors in the AL so far. Kind of the opposite of their reputation in the recent past.

Josh seems to be seeing the ball great right now. He's really keeping his head on every pitch, and doesn't seem to even be tempted by the majority of the junk stuff outside.

Part of what makes Beltre so fun to watch is how unconventional of a player he is. He plays the game in a unique way on both offense and defense, and finds a way to get results doing things his own way.

Feliz is hitting all his spots early on. Great movement and still ending up right at the target. Mauer's at bat has been very defensive but he's being patient.

Kinsler is one of the more fluid fielders out there. He's kind of the opposite of Beltre; Beltre likes to stop his momentum and throw flat-footed, while Kinsler seems to be at his best moving side to side and doing everything basically in one motion. Fun to watch.

2nd

How does Young shoot it through the infield gap every time he hits a line drive? Crazy.

Feliz is doing a nice job taking a little bit off the fastball until he needs to put those 2 or 3 extra MPH on the bigger pitches. Definitely a must for a starter.

I feel a rain delay coming...

It looks like Feliz is pitching with some SERIOUS confidence today.

3rd

Both pitchers seems to have the batters on the defensive so far.

It's impossible to gauge where the ball is by watching Nelly in the outfield.

4th

Shockingly, another hit from Michael Young! Dude can't get enough respect.

Nelly still has to have smarter at bats with RISP situations. He loves chasing that high heat sometimes.

No more perfect game for Neftali.

Mauer is a tough batter to face for Feliz's first chance to pitch from the stretch.

Can't let one base-hit get to you. Double play would be nice right now to get out of a little jam. I should type this stuff out more often if it's actually going to happen.

5th

NAP-O-LI. Going upper-deck for #1 of the year.

1-0 RANGERS.

Kinsler's gotten backed off the plate a couple of times now with a pitch under the chin.

Let's see if the one run lead gives Feliz a little boost to really get deep into this game. He's looked great but a little bit shaky with runners on last inning.

Feliz is getting frustrated when he's missing now. Maybe a little tired but definitely still got some innings left.

2 run homer and kind of feeling like Torrealba should go talk to Feliz for a minute and chill him out.

2-1 TWINS.

6th

Really nice pitch to get Elvis looking. Looks like Hendriks is ready for his attempt at the shut-down inning after getting the lead. He's hitting that low, outside corner to righties consistently now.

ANOTHER hit by Young, but no way should Beltre be trying to score from first like that.

This would be a good time for Feldman. Feliz is throwing pitches that should be getting hit, and they are.

3-1 TWINS.

Good test for Robbie Ross with runners on and nobody out. Getting strikeouts and not letting runners advance; nice damage control.

Wow, Beltre was easily out on that relay throw from earlier, even with the outfielder bobbling it. Should have been held at third.

7th

Getting hit on the toe and stealing a base is the same as a double right? Go Murph.

Well-placed hits by the Twins today.

Ugliest attempt ever at a hit-and-run by the Twins, wow...

Good stuff from Ross today, he's got an old school pitcher feel to him for some reason.

8th

Maybe that leadoff walk by Kins will be able to get this thing going. Perfect time for the top of the lineup.

Elvis showing some power again to be able to drop it behind the outfielder for the triple.

3-2 TWINS.

Hambone refuses to hit a home run if its not upper deck! Got that comeback taken care of nice and quick.

4-3 RANGERS.

Why do the Twins always seem like such a likable team?

Baseball karma brings the double-play ball after the blown call by the ump. Nice.

9th

Insurance runs would be really nice in this type of game.

Another tight chance for Nathan. Let's see if he still feels comfortable in Minnesota. He looks more calm and is missing outside of the zone instead of middle so far. Still can't give up a walk here though. Awesome bullpen pitching + Josh Hamilton = Win.

FINAL: 4-3 RANGERS