Game 156: Sep 27, 1999 (W: 3-2)
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My Commentary

This was my final regular season game of the year.  Last year, once it got down to my last few games at the Ballpark, I started getting down about it, but this year, it didn't hit me until I was walking into the park that this was the last time I'll be here for 1999 except for Game 1 of the Division Series here.    I probably won't be able to go to any more playoff games, as there are better things to use that kind of money for (like more tickets for 2000).  :)

I went into the game expecting to see a junk lineup, as is usually the case the day after a clinch, but we got the regular everyday lineup for the Rangers.  I was surprised.  Looks like they're really serious about making a run for the home field advantage.  

This was a very well pitched game by both sides.  Seattle pitcher Freddy Garcia showed why he's a good young prospect, more or less shutting down the Rangers from getting anything extended going.  He looked good, and I'd love to have a pitcher like that on our staff.  Rick Helling, while not getting the win pitched well in the game (oh, there's a shock).  He struck out 10 in 5 2/3 innings, and Mike Munoz followed Helling and was really sharp as well.   Matter of fact, all three Ranger relievers (Munoz, Crabtree, & Wetteland) didn't allow any hits and only one walk, as well as adding 5 more strikeouts.  It was an extremely well pitched game by the Rangers.

The offense wasn't all that great, but it was just enough to get the win.   Seattle's runs all came in the 3rd.  One was on a home run ball by Ibanez off of Helling, and the other was a sac fly by Arod.  That's it for Seattle.    Our first run came in the second when Todd Zeile grounded into a double play and Juan scored from third.   The second to tie the game up again was by Pudge in the 6th, a single scoring Tom Goodwin.  Lee Stevens, who has been very prone to the strikeout lately (had a few tonight) came through with a sac fly to left in the bottom of the eighth to close out the scoring.  

It was a great game, not a blowout on either side.  Well pitched by both teams, and was a great baseball game to watch.  I was sitting over by the Rangers dugout (had some good seats), and it made it all the sweeter sitting that close to the action.  As a side note to that, Zonk is very loud when you're sitting about 4 seats away from him.  :)

Tampa Bay did us a big favor by beating the Yankees for the second straight game.  We're now two games behind the Indians, and one behind the Yankees.  The Yankees appear to be slumping now (at least a little), which could help in the playoffs if we meet them and get out and get the first game.

We went 30 games over .500 for the first time in club history last night, too.  :)

-- Joe Siegler

Game Recap

ARLINGTON, TEXAS (TICKER) -- The Texas Rangers keep adding to a season full of superlatives.

Texas moved 30 games over .500 for the first time in team history with a 3-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners as Lee Stevens lifted a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Already Western Division champions for the third time in four years, the Rangers improved to 93-63 and climbed within two games of idle Cleveland for the American League's best record.

"We will play (our starters) as long as we have a shot at it," Texas manager Johnny Oates said of homefield advantage. "I'm sure some people thought they weren't going to play when they left their house. But they were excited when they saw they had a chance to play."

Steve Sinclair (0-1) replaced Mariners starter Freddy Garcia in the bottom of the eighth and retired Rusty Greer on a flyout. But Juan Gonzalez delivered his second double of the game and Rafael Palmeiro was walked intentionally.

Jose Mesa came on and walked Todd Zeile to load the bases before Stevens hit the next pitch to left field, scoring the go-ahead run.

The win went to Tim Crabtree (5-1), the third Rangers' pitcher, who retired all five batters he faced. John Wetteland worked a hitless ninth and broke his year-old club record with his 43rd save. He is tied with Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees for the league lead.

The Rangers also got a solid performance from starter Rick Helling, who lost his previous three starts but tied a season high with 10 strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. The righthander gave up both runs and seven hits with three walks.

"We may have had a little bit of a letdown when we play the lower echelon teams, but we have been able to bounce back and we did it again tonight," Helling said. "We beat a good pitcher and a good ballclub.

"We've accomplished our first goal, which was to win the division. We think it would be nice to have homefield advantage, the best record in Texas Rangers' history and the best record in the American League. Those are things we could still play for.""

Texas catcher Ivan Rodriguez recorded his ninth pickoff of the season when he nailed Jay Buhner at second base in the sixth inning. Rodriguez also singled in the tying run in the bottom of the sixth for his 193rd hit, tying for the second-most among catchers.

Joe Torre had 193 hits for the Milwaukee Braves in 1964 and Ted Simmons had 193 for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1975. Mike Piazza holds the record with 201 hits for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1997.

Mariners starter Freddy Garcia gave up two runs and nine hits over seven innings with two walks and five strikeouts.

"Freddy did a nice job tonight," said Seattle manager Lou Piniella. "He really battled when he needed to."

Texas reached him in the second as Gonzalez led off with a double, Palmeiro singled and Zeile bounced into a run-scoring double play.

Seattle wasted no time tying it. Raul Ibanez led off the third with his eighth homer and Charles Gipson tripled to right-center. After Shane Monahan struck out, Alex Rodriguez put the Mariners in front with a sacrifice fly.

Garcia protected the lead until the sixth, when Tom Goodwin drew a leadoff walk, was sacrificed to second by Mark McLemore and scored on Ivan Rodriguez's single.

"Ivan got to swing the bat. We were holding the runner on second with our shortstop, and it got through," Piniella said.

Recap #2

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- The Texas Rangers may have clinched their third AL West title in four years, but they're not going to rest up for the playoffs during the final week of the regular season. 

Playing their usual lineup rather than sitting out their stars, the Rangers beat the Seattle Mariners 3-2 Monday night to move 30 games over .500 for the first time in team history. 

Rangers manager Johnny Oates said he will continue to start his top players as Texas (93-63) tries to finish with the league's best record to secure home-field advantage in the playoffs. 

"We'll play as long as we have a shot at it," Oates said. "I'm sure some (of the players) thought they weren't going to play when they left their house, and they were excited when they saw they'd have a chance to play." 

The Rangers are competing with Cleveland and New York for the AL's best record. The Yankees have eliminated the Rangers from the playoffs in the first round in two of the last three years, and Texas players say having the home-field advantage could alter the outcome of a probable first-round matchup with New York. 

"We were very disappointed with the way we played last year," said reliever Tim Crabtree. "There's a lot from last season that was left undone. A lot of guys felt like that was not the way it should have ended."

Lee Stevens drove in the go-ahead run with an eighth-inning sacrifice fly as the Rangers won their fourth straight game the day after clinching the division title. 

"It's important for us to keep on winning," Rangers slugger Juan Gonzalez said. "We want to get to the championship series and the World Series." 

Seattle manager Lou Piniella said he wasn't surprised the Rangers repeated as division champs. 

"We knew that Texas had a good ballclub," Piniella said. "They've got a lot of players who have or can have 100 RBI and they've got a real good bullpen." 

John Wetteland set a club record with his 43rd save, breaking the mark he set last year. He also tied his career high, accomplished twice in the past. 

Gonzalez doubled with one out in the Texas eighth off Steve Sinclair (0-1) and Rafael Palmeiro was intentionally walked. 

Todd Zeile drew a walk from Jose Mesa, the third Seattle pitcher, to load the bases. Stevens lifted a fly ball to left and Gonzalez scored ahead of Brian Hunter's throw. 

Crabtree (5-1) threw 1 2/3 perfect innings for the victory. Wetteland worked a hitless ninth. 

Raul Ibanez homered in the third to extend the Mariners' club-record streak to 19 games with a least one homer. 

Gonzalez scored in the second as Zeile grounded into a double play. 

Mariners starter Freddy Garcia left a 2-2 game after seven innings. He gave up nine hits, struck out five and walked two. 

Seattle took a 2-1 lead in the third against Rick Helling on Ibanez's solo homer and Alex Rodriguez's sacrifice fly. 

Helling allowed two runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings before Oates went to the bullpen. Helling struck out 10, matching his season-high, but he was consistently behind in the count, walking three. 

The Rangers tied it at 2 in the sixth against Garcia when Tom Goodwin drew a leadoff walk, went to second on Mark McLemore's sacrifice bunt and scored on Ivan Rodriguez's single. 

The single gave Rodriguez a career-high 193 hits, matching the second-most by a catcher in major-league history. Mike Piazza had the most hits in a season for a catcher with 201 for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1997. 

GAME NOTES: Oates said he'll use Aaron Sele and Helling as his top two starters in the playoffs. ... The other catchers with 193 hits in a season were Joe Torre for the Milwaukee Braves in 1964 and Ted Simmons for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1975. ... Helling also struck out 10 on June 11 against Colorado. He's allowed 39 homers, one shy of the club record set by Ferguson Jenkins in 1979. ... Garcia's 16 victories are the most in the majors among rookies. 

Photos
(Click on the ones with an outline for a larger image)

Ranger starter Rick Helling	Todd Zeile is out in a double play	Freddie Garcia on the mound for a chat - nice face.	Raffy is tagged out after being caught in a rundown	Wetteland & Pudge after the save

Box Score

Line Score
AL  FINAL
                    1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9     R  H  E
                    -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -     -  -  -
SEATTLE             0  0  2   0  0  0   0  0  0     2  7  0
TEXAS               0  1  0   0  0  1   0  1  x     3 10  0   (FINAL)

BATTERIES:  SEA - FREDDY GARCIA, STEVE SINCLAIR (8TH), JOSE MESA
                  (8TH) AND TOM LAMPKIN
            TEX - RICK HELLING, MIKE MUNOZ (6TH), TIM CRABTREE
                  (7TH), JOHN WETTELAND (9TH) AND IVAN RODRIGUEZ

             WP - TIM CRABTREE (5-1)
             LP - STEVE SINCLAIR (0-1)
           SAVE - JOHN WETTELAND (43)

HOME RUNS:  SEA - RAUL IBANEZ (8) OFF HELLING IN THE 3RD, 0 ON
            TEX - NONE

     TIME:  2:50     ATT:  32,118

PROBABLES:  SEA - JOHN HALAMA (11-8, 4.08)
            TEX - JEFF FASSERO (5-14, 7.43)

Box Score
SEATTLE (2) AT TEXAS (3) - FINAL

SEATTLE                ab  r  h rbi bb so lob   avg
S Monahan lf            3  0  0  0   0  3   1  .077
 b-Bl Hunter ph-lf      1  0  0  0   0  0   0  .234
A Rodriguez ss          3  0  0  1   0  3   0  .287
Griffey cf              3  0  2  0   1  1   0  .290
E Martinez dh           4  0  1  0   0  1   2  .344
Lampkin c               4  0  1  0   0  0   2  .296
Buhner rf               2  0  0  0   2  2   1  .224
 Timmons pr             0  0  0  0   0  0   0  .132
Da Bell 2b              4  0  1  0   0  2   2  .263
Ibanez 1b               1  1  1  1   1  0   0  .266
 a-Blowers ph-1b        2  0  0  0   0  1   2  .294
Gipson 3b               3  1  1  0   0  1   1  .241
 c-R Jackson ph         1  0  0  0   0  1   1  .222

Totals                 31  2  7  2   4 15  12

a-struck out for Ibanez in the 6th; b-grounded to pitcher for
S Monahan in the 7th; c-struck out for Gipson in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - Griffey (24, Helling). 3B - Gipson (2, Helling).
HR - Ibanez (8, 3rd inning off Helling 0 on, 0 out). SF - A Rodriguez.
RBI - Ibanez (25), A Rodriguez (109). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - E Martinez 2, Lampkin 1. GIDP - Da Bell.
Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: Picked off - Buhner (2nd base, I Rodriguez).

FIELDING: DP: 2 (Da Bell-A Rodriguez-Ibanez, Gipson-Da Bell-Ibanez).

TEXAS                  ab  r  h rbi bb so lob   avg
Mclemore 2b             2  0  1  0   1  1   1  .274
I Rodriguez c           4  0  1  1   0  0   5  .335
Greer lf                4  0  1  0   0  1   0  .300
J Gonzalez rf           4  2  2  0   0  0   2  .322
R Palmeiro dh           3  0  1  0   1  0   2  .332
Zeile 3b                3  0  1  0   1  0   1  .296
L Stevens 1b            3  0  0  1   0  2   3  .283
Clayton ss              3  0  1  0   0  1   0  .281
T Goodwin cf            2  1  2  0   1  0   0  .252

Totals                 28  3 10  2   4  5  14

BATTING: 2B - J Gonzalez 2 (34, F Garcia, Sinclair). S - Mclemore.
SF - L Stevens. RBI - I Rodriguez (108), L Stevens (79). Runners
left in scoring position, 2 out - I Rodriguez 3, R Palmeiro 1.
GIDP - Zeile, L Stevens. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: SB - T Goodwin 2 (39, 2nd base off F Garcia/Lampkin,
3rd base off F Garcia/Lampkin). CS - I Rodriguez (12, 2nd base
by F Garcia/Lampkin); R Palmeiro (3, 3rd base by Mesa/Lampkin).

FIELDING: DP: 1 (Clayton-Mclemore-L Stevens).

SEATTLE                      ip       h   r  er  bb  so  hr    era
F Garcia                      7       9   2   2   2   5   0   4.11
Sinclair (L, 0-1)               1/3   1   1   1   1   0   0   7.13
Mesa                            2/3   0   0   0   1   0   0   5.13

TEXAS                        ip       h   r  er  bb  so  hr    era
Helling                       5 1/3   7   2   2   3  10   1   4.81
M Munoz                       1       0   0   0   0   1   0   3.59
Crabtree (W, 5-1)             1 2/3   0   0   0   0   2   0   3.41
Wetteland (S, 43)             1       0   0   0   1   2   0   3.46

WP - Helling. IBB - R Palmeiro (by Sinclair).  Pitches-strikes:
Helling 113-67; M Munoz 6-4; Crabtree 26-18; Wetteland 16-11;
F Garcia 92-55; Sinclair 9-3; Mesa 9-4.  Ground balls-fly balls:
Helling 3-3; M Munoz 0-1; Crabtree 3-0; Wetteland 0-1; F Garcia
9-6; Sinclair 0-1; Mesa 0-1.  Batters faced: Helling 25; M Munoz 2;
Crabtree 5; Wetteland 4; F Garcia 29; Sinclair 3; Mesa 2.

UMPIRES: HP--Dan Iassogna. 1B--Ted Barrett. 2B--Tim Mcclelland.
3B--Eric Cooper.
T--2:50.  Att--32,118.   Weather: 88 degrees, clear.   Wind: 13 mph,
right to left.

AL       SEATTLE AT TEXAS
         NOTE:  TEXAS' RICK HELLING HAS 10 STRIKEOUTS THROUGH FIVE
                INNINGS, INCLUDING THE LAST SIX OUTS.

Game Log

Seattle Starting Lineups -- Shane Monahan LF, Alex Rodriguez SS, Ken Griffey Jr CF, Edgar Martinez DH, Tom Lampkin C, Jay Buhner RF, David Bell 2B, Raul Ibanez 1B, Charles Gipson 3B, Freddy Garcia RHP.

Texas Starting Lineups -- Mark Mclemore 2B, Ivan Rodriguez C, Rusty Greer LF, Juan Gonzalez RF, Rafael Palmeiro DH, Todd Zeile 3B, Lee Stevens 1B, Royce Clayton SS, Tom Goodwin CF, Rick Helling RHP.

Umpires -- Iassogna (HP), T Barrett (1B), T Mcclelland (2B), E Cooper (3B).

Gametime Weather: 88 degrees, Clear, wind right to left at 13 mph.

SEATTLE 1ST: S Monahan struck out swinging. A Rodriguez struck out looking. Griffey singled to right. Griffey to second on Helling wild pitch. E Martinez flied out to right. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 0, TEXAS 0.

TEXAS 1ST: Mclemore singled to center. I Rodriguez grounded into fielder's choice to second, Mclemore out at second. I Rodriguez caught stealing, catcher to shortstop. Greer struck out looking. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 0, TEXAS 0.

SEATTLE 2ND: Lampkin singled to center. Buhner struck out looking. Da Bell grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Lampkin out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 0, TEXAS 0.

TEXAS 2ND: J Gonzalez doubled to right center. R Palmeiro singled to right, J Gonzalez to third. Zeile grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, R Palmeiro out at second, J Gonzalez scored. L Stevens struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 0, TEXAS 1.

SEATTLE 3RD: Ibanez homered to right center. Gipson tripled to right center. S Monahan struck out swinging. A Rodriguez hit sacrifice fly to center, Gipson scored. Griffey walked. E Martinez singled to left, Griffey to second. Lampkin flied out to left. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 2, TEXAS 1.

TEXAS 3RD: Clayton struck out looking. T Goodwin singled to center. T Goodwin stole second. Mclemore struck out swinging. T Goodwin stole third. I Rodriguez grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 2, TEXAS 1.

SEATTLE 4TH: Buhner struck out swinging. Da Bell struck out looking. Ibanez walked. Gipson struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 2, TEXAS 1.

TEXAS 4TH: Greer fouled out to third. J Gonzalez flied out to left. R Palmeiro fouled out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 2, TEXAS 1.

SEATTLE 5TH: S Monahan struck out looking. A Rodriguez struck out swinging. Griffey doubled to right center. E Martinez struck out looking. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 2, TEXAS 1.

TEXAS 5TH: Zeile singled to left. L Stevens grounded into double play, third to second to first, Zeile out at second. Clayton grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 2, TEXAS 1.

SEATTLE 6TH: Lampkin grounded out to second. Buhner walked. Da Bell singled to left, Buhner to second. Mike Munoz relieved Rick Helling. Blowers hit for Ibanez. Buhner picked off at second, catcher to second. Blowers struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 2, TEXAS 1.

TEXAS 6TH: Blowers at first. T Goodwin walked. Mclemore sacrificed T Goodwin to second. I Rodriguez singled to left, T Goodwin scored. Greer singled to right, I Rodriguez to third. J Gonzalez lined out to shortstop. R Palmeiro flied out to left. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 2, TEXAS 2.

SEATTLE 7TH: Gipson fouled out to first. Bl Hunter hit for S Monahan. Tim Crabtree relieved Mike Munoz. Bl Hunter grounded out to pitcher. A Rodriguez struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 2, TEXAS 2.

TEXAS 7TH: Bl Hunter in left. Zeile popped out to catcher. L Stevens struck out swinging. Clayton singled to left. T Goodwin singled to left, Clayton to third. T Goodwin to second advancing on throw. Mclemore walked. I Rodriguez grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Mclemore out at second. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 2, TEXAS 2.

SEATTLE 8TH: Griffey struck out swinging. E Martinez grounded out to shortstop. Lampkin grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 2, TEXAS 2.

TEXAS 8TH: Steve Sinclair relieved Freddy Garcia. Greer flied out to left. J Gonzalez doubled to left. R Palmeiro intentionally walked. Jose Mesa relieved Steve Sinclair. Zeile walked, J Gonzalez to third, R Palmeiro to second. L Stevens hit sacrifice fly to left, J Gonzalez scored. R Palmeiro caught stealing, catcher. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 2, TEXAS 3.

SEATTLE 9TH: John Wetteland relieved Tim Crabtree. Buhner walked. Timmons ran for Buhner. Da Bell struck out swinging. Blowers flied out to right. R Jackson hit for Gipson. R Jackson struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) SEATTLE 2, TEXAS 3.