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