The Rangers’ final Florida Spring Training game was today – a win over perennial spring opponents the Minnesota Twins.
John Wetteland got yet another start, and pitched one inning, giving up just a hit. Also on the positive side was 5 innings of no run, 3 hit baseball from Kenny Rogers (whose next game should be Monday – the opener), and an inning of no hit no run ball from Mike Munoz. Matt Perisho didn’t fare as well, all the runs we gave up came from him (all earned, too). Without a game log, it’s hard to tell how they scored, but overall, it didn’t seem like that bad of a pitching performance based on the box score.
On the offensive side, our eight hits were scattered over eight different players. Scott Sheldon made the most of his one at bat, getting a three run home run in the seventh to give us the lead in the game, and the win.
Now that we’re breaking camp, we should start to see the final roster cuts made. Once the final 25 are announced, I’ll be updating my roster page with that info. I’m also hoping they’ll have the Media Guide for sale – a ton of my roster info comes from there. :)
Can’t wait! I’m headed out to Arlington to see the Cardinals game. It’s so close, I can smell it!

I was pretty sick yesterday, and that coupled with the Tornadoes in the area yesterday evening didn’t leave me feeling like writing about baseball at all.
As much as I love baseball, when it comes down to something like your life, baseball just doesn’t seem that important.

The Rangers hang on to get a 9-8 win over the Cincinnati Reds today in the final radio broadcast game from Florida this spring.
Double for Pudge in 1st, good base running by Chad Curtis – Pudge seems to be coming together offensively late in Spring.
Sloppy third inning on both sides allowing to a few runs for each team. Errors, wild pitches, etc led to the Reds taking the lead in the inning. We took the lead back in the bottom of the third with a double by Raffy. Aaron Boone followed up with his second error of the inning, allowing the Rangers two extra outs in the inning. This led to a triple by Segui adding another run, followed by a single by Kapler. The Rangers did bat around this inning, sending 10 men to the plate.
Segui later hit a 2 run HR (his first as Ranger) in the 6th, giving us a 4 run lead at the time. Gabe Kapler then follows with an opposite field HR for back-to-back with Segui. Segui had a great day – he’s really starting to look like a great pickup. :)
In the 9th, R.A Dickey couldn’t close the door, and Edwin Diaz made a bad play turning a double play that allowed the Reds to creep back into the game one run behind the Rangers. The Rangers finally turned a double play to hold on to a 9-8 win.
Loaiza wins, now 3-0, although he didn’t dominate at all. The box score said Wetteland got the win, the radio guys said Loaiza. I’m not sure which is the actual winner at the moment I write this.

Unfortunately, I don’t have time to write any commentary for this game. I’ve been sick most of the weekend, and I don’t remember very many of the details of this game on Monday morning (when I’m writing this).

Unfortunately, I don’t have time to write any commentary for this game. I’ve been sick most of the weekend, and I don’t remember very many of the details of this game on Monday morning (when I’m writing this).

Unfortunately, I don’t have time to write any commentary for this game. Barely have the time to update the page. :)

Yesterday was an eventful day even though the Rangers had their lone “off day” of the season. The new TV contracts were announced (finally), and the 2000 TV Schedule was published (I updated my 2000 Schedule with that). Shortly after the 23-9 game on Tuesday, seven roster changes were made. Lots happening.
Today, we got back into action with a 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins. From looking at the box score, today was a somewhat pitcher’s duel – there were total of 15 hits from both teams (Rangers with 6). Each team had an error, although the Rangers error didn’t appear to cost us any runs. Mark Clark on the other hand, went 6 innings, allowing four earned runs and 9 hits. The other two Ranger pitchers (Perisho & Crabtree) didn’t give up anything in their two innings. Mark Clark gave up a long ball in the first for two runs, and then gave up another in the first, and one more was added later.
We lost, but it doesn’t seem like we were in that bad of a condition. We were outpitched it seems, and our pitcher made a couple of small mistakes where theirs didn’t.
From the looks of the score, not having seen or heard the game, it doesn’t look like a game worth getting to bent out of shape over the loss over.

Where do I begin with a score like this? When I saw this game on the wire score after the fourth inning, it was already 15-0. I couldn’t believe the score. I’m one of these people who likes games when they happen against us, because I love seeing how large the score can get, because once it gets this bad, the team is usually demoralized, and they give up a ton more runs, too. Plus, games like this tend to be a magnet for runs, and a team usually doesn’t do as badly it seems after one of these.
Anyway, we had hits all over the place (20 of them), runs (23 of them, 9 alone in the third), home runs all over the place (6 of ’em), and some excellent pitching by Wetteland (who started, actually), Loaiza, & Cordero. Not so good from Zimmerman & Glynn (who was sent down after this game). Ruben Mateo had an awesome game, going 4 for 5 with 5 runs scored, and three RBI’s. Gabe Kapler was 3 for 4 with 4 RBI’s, Rusty Greer was 3 for 3 with 3 RBI’s.. I could go on and on, just check out the box score below for a list of that stuff.
What more can you say about a game like this? Offense all over the place, and overall some great pitching. Our runs were all given up by Zimmerman, who continues to have a bad spring, and Ryan Glynn, who is already gone from camp. I’m really excited about our starting 5 this year – even Mark Clark. :)
Naturally, we didn’t get to see or hear the game. I’m a bit worried now about TV coverage, as it’s less than two weeks away, and I haven’t seen an announcement on TV coverage, and I’m wondering if we’re going to lose the three scheduled pre season TV games we had slated for this coming week.
There’s no game on Wednesday, as it’s our only day off of the Spring. Johnny Oates sent down 7 players to the minors, and in one of the least suspensful announcements, named John Wetteland opening day starter. He also has decided on a lineup for the most part for the upcoming season:
Clayton
Greer
Pudge
Raffy
Segui
Mateo
Kapler
Evans/Lamb
Alicea
I kind of like that, but I’m a bit concerned with the lack of a “big name” at the bottom. I liked it last year when Lee Stevens batted seventh – kind of the second cleanup spot. However, we have to protect Palmeiro, so fifth is a good spot for Segui, I suppose. 9 more days till the first game at the Ballpark – the return of Fernando Tatis. I’m really surprised the Rangers aren’t pushing that more. I know McGwire is the big magnet (especially with women – “Chicks dig the long ball”), but I know there’s a lot of hardcore Ranger fans around here more interested in seeing Tatis again.