I didn’t see much of this game – as I was out shooting pool with a few friends. In reading about it, the only really interesting things were these:
Gabe Kapler extended his hitting streak to 13, and is now batting over .270. B.J. Waszgis made it into his first ever major league game, and Ricky Ledee got into his first Ranger game.
That’s about all I have to say about this one. :)

The club continues to play good the last week or so. This game had a lot of things, except great starting pitching. Ours was OK, theirs wasn’t good at all. Rick Helling looked positively Loaizaish in this game. He didn’t have anything going, he couldn’t strike people out, and was generally sloppy. Quite frankly, it’s amazing he didn’t give up more than he did. Detroit’s starter, Brian Moehler, was a pitcher that the Rangers always had problems with in the past – not tonight. We put up an eight spot in the third inning – which was the main offense of the game. That was our largest single inning output of the season so far, and it’s always nice to see things like that in person. We probably would have had more, but Jerry Narron waved Raffy around third, and he was way WAY out – not even close. That out was the end of the inning.
However, those weren’t the only fireworks of the evening. In the 7th, Tim Crabtree came on, and was pitching to Juan Gonzalez. His first pitch was pretty inside – and Juan extremely over-reacted. He jabbered and pointed at the mound, took a step towards the mound, then Bill Haselman got in front of him, and then both of them started shouting at each other. At this point, both dugouts and both bullpens emptied. That’s about all that happened. Both him and Crabree stayed in the game – to some EXTREME booing from the stands. I felt that all the goodwill that was created by Juan the previous night with his helmet waiving, and the cheers were wiped out. Juan eventually made an out that inning, and it was one of the loudest cheers I’d heard for an out in a long time.
One other thing. I was at this game, and had written down the lineups – and then a minute before the game started, I noticed 3 or 4 people had changed. So, I made the changes, and noticed Segui wasn’t there. I thought something might be up, so I had my wife get out the small portable radio I have in our “Baseball bag”, and started listening. Eric Nadel said Segui was scratched 12 minutes before the start of the game – which really led to me thinking he was gone. It wasn’t till about the 6th inning or so that they announced Segui had been traded for Ricky Ledee. I announced that rather loudly in my section, and it got quite a reaction from the folks around me – I was apparently the only person who was listening on the radio, in addition to watching the game. :)
Gabe Kapler kept his hitting streak alive – I think he’ll be the new #5 hitter in the lineup now with Pudge out, and Segui traded. Was a nice balanced offensive night. Every starter had at least one hit, and everyone except Raffy scored at least one run. In addition, everyone except Alicea drove in a run, too!
Overall, was a great game to watch in person. Always nice when your team wins, and the added flavor of Juan in the other uniform (despite the fracas in the seventh) made it for a really enjoyable game.

We’re now 3-0 in the Post Pudge Era. :) Gabe Kapler has also homered in the last four straight games, tying a club record – in addition to having a 10 game hitting streak. Looks like he’s finally come out of his shell.
Ryan Glynn looked pretty good – his only mistake was a home run ball served up to Juan Gonzalez. I kind of figured he’d hit at least one home run during this trip back – didn’t think it would be in the second at bat.
Speaking of that – Juan’s tip of the cap to the fans was pretty nice – I wasn’t sure what kind of reception he’d get – the TV guys said there were a few boos, but I didn’t hear ’em on TV. I’m going to Friday’s game, I wonder if the reaction will be the same.
Was the night of home run balls off your former club. Juan did it, as did Gabe Kapler & Bill Haselman. Raffy also joined in with a three run home run of his own to match Juan’s.
Surprisingly, the entire AL West lost besides us – we’ve made up three games on the Mariners in the last 3 days. I still don’t think we have a shot at doing anything, but it’s nice to see us not roll over and die after the Pudge injury.
There’s been a lot of talk in the press lately about bringing Juan back. Quite frankly, if we bring him back, I see it as at the expense of Gabe Kapler. If they can figure out a way to keep Kapler and bring back Juan, I’d be for it. Otherwise, I don’t want him back.

We’re now 2-0 in the Post Pudge Era. :)
I didn’t see most of this game, as I fell asleep on the couch (I’m still on the medicine my doctor prescribed a few weeks back – it makes me sleepy sometimes). I did get to see the start of it, when we jumped out to a lead early, and I saw the end of the game. Disappointing to see Wetteland blow another save, but it was great to see the win in the bottom of the ninth from Rusty. He was overdue for that kind of thing. :)
It was also funny to hear Tom Grieve getting hysterical over the “They’re in hot pursuit” (over the Cat triple that went careening across the outfield).

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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