It was really nice to see the big sticks come out last night. It was not nice to see Darren Oliver not be able to hold anything. Darren is turning out to be a big disappointment – which is a shocker, considering he pitched fairly decently in St. Louis this past season. I’m no expert here – I just have the gut fan reaction, but I don’t know what his problem is. He really seems like the pitcher we sent away in 1998. I’m sure he’ll last this season – I doubt anyone would want him now – he doesn’t have a lot of trade value – but next year? Who knows.
I was a bit disappointed when the Angels got off to a one run lead in the first, but we took it back in the bottom, with the first of our two jacks last night – one from Catalnotto, and another from Raffy (a second level shot). We had another home run in the third from Rusty Greer, and we were up 5-1. However, that’s where Oliver couldn’t hold the lead. He was pulled before the lead got totally away, but before he could get a win. Gabe Kapler followed up with his second home run in as many days (looks like he’s finally gotten it together) in the fourth – but that was it for our scoring (and our baserunners actually) until the bottom of the 8th.
At that point, we were tied at 6, and Bert Green got on as a pinch runner for David Segui. Bill Haselman hit a single to left on a hit and run, and Green made it all the way to third, arriving at the same time as the ball, more or less forcing the throw to be off, and the ball to get away, allowing Green to run home and score. Personally, I felt Green should have been out for being so wildly out of the basepaths, but I’ll take it. :) Gabe Kapler finished off the scoring with a two run triple to put us up three.
Wetteland came in, got three outs, and another save. Was a nice win – the first without Pudge.

This might very well be the worst Rangers game I’ve ever watched. Both from the loss standpoint and from the Pudge standpoint. I also felt that this game was a very good microcosm of the problems the Rangers have had the entire season.
I felt we had it won early, there was just a good vibe, even after the Pudge injury (which we didn’t know the severity of yet). It just felt good. Then Wetteland lost the save in the ninth, and I felt that we caught a break with the balk call in the 10th. Then it was reversed, and I just felt that we’d lose the game after that – we did. It was interesting to see Scott Sheldon in as catcher in the extra innings. He didn’t look all that bad out there, and almost gunned down a base stealer – was a pretty close play!
Plus Pudge being announced as being out for the season was just horrible. We’ve lost a lot of players for the entire season this year – and whatever thin thread the Rangers were still hanging on to this year was just cut. Start for next year. And make it work next year, as there may very well be another player’s strike after the 2001 season. :(

Due to work pressures, I won’t have time to write about this game.

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I didn’t get to see the game again due to the oft told incompetence of my cable company. I was so irritated, that I didn’t want to listen on the radio. I eventually did, and heard Gabe Kapler’s home run, and the rest onwards. Was nice to see the bullpen hold on to one after awhile. Gabe’s home run was the first in awhile, and the first one he’s hit (as a Ranger) that my wife and I didn’t witness with our own eyes. :) His new bald look must be doing something, as he’s batting something like .370 since the All-Star break, and has raised his batting average to .261.
Also, it seems that the Rangers made the right decision with the Scar Green / Jason McDonald choice a few weeks ago in keeping Scar. I’m hoping he can hold on beyond this year – I’ve always liked him for some reason – although his numbers have never set anyone on fire. The throw he made in the bottom of the ninth to win the game was awesome!