They say the best way to get going after you have problems is to get right back out there. John Wetteland got another save chance after blowing the last three in a row – this time he pulled it out. The newspaper said that he and Oates had a meeting to discuss what was going on, and for Oates to give him his “vote of confidence”. Whatever was said, it seemed to help, as he looked sharper than the last couple of days he was out there.
Mike Morgan pitched well this game, retiring something like 10 or 11 in a row on ground ball outs. He looked good, but once he got near 100 pitches, he seemed to crap out. He gave up 3 runs over 6.1 innings throwing 100 pitches and giving up 7 hits. Fairly decent outing, and the bullpen kept it close, giving up just one more run, which was inherited from Morgan and was an unearned run anyway.
Our five runs were driven in by five different people (Kelly, Greer, Zeile, Zaun, & Clayton). It was nice to see Gregg Zaun in there again – I have to admit, I didn’t think he’d be such a big deal at the start of the season, but he’s surprised me – I think this just about every time he plays. :)
We could have lost the game, as a controversial call by Mark Johnson. He ruled a Rich Auerlia hit ball a home run, but then Durwood Merrill said it was just a double. Replays showed it bounced off the absolute top of the left field wall just about the “A” in American League, and back into the field. It was the right call, but one more inch, and it would have been a home run, probably costing the Rangers the game.
The last four games on this homestand were decided by two runs or less, with three of them by one run. We’re now 17-9 in one run games this season.
