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Now this was awesome. Started off with just being out at the ballpark for a day game. That was nice.
It then got better when we scored some runs off of Oakland starter Mark Mulder early. Something I didn’t think would happen much at all today. Quite frankly, the way this game went, I thought it was backwards. We did what I thought the A’s would do to us.
Doug Davis was spectacular. About halfway through the game, I told my wife that I hoped we scored more than three runs, so Davis could get a shot at a complete game. He got the chance, and he got it – pitching a two hit shutout. He only faced 3 batters over the minimum. He gave up two singles, and a hit batter. It was quite nice to see this kind of pitching from us. Nolan Ryan was in the stands watching the game, I’m sure he liked that, too. :)
The other big shine was Kevin Mench, who had four RBI’s in the game, and made an awesome defensive play in the outfield. Speaking of defense, we had standout plays from Hank Blalock and Gabe Kapler too. Overall an awesome day for an awesome game of the most awesome sport there is. :)

Hey – a win! We’ve now got a whopping 2 wins for the season. Woo-hoo! Look out Yankees!
Seriously, it was nice to get a win, and we got good pitching, holding the A’s to only 6 hits and two runs. Their runs all came in the first inning, and we put up a nice string of goose eggs after that. One of the nice things about this game was Colby Lewis coming on and pitching 2.1 innings of damn awesome baseball, giving up only a single hit. Lewis looked good, as did Rocker who struck out the side in the 9th for a save.
Offensively, we didn’t murder the ball (didn’t expect to with who they had pitching), but we got just enough, including a home run by Rusty Greer, and an RBI single by Kevin Mench (his first ever). Carl Everett & Pudge drove in the rest.
Tomorrow’s a day game against Mark Mulder, that is never good to play against him.

This was really annoying. We were staying tight (great game). We took the lead, we blew the lead, we gave ’em the lead.. Back and forth, and we lost in the 11th. Very annoying, especially in bottom of 10th we had bases loaded, game tied, nobody out, and couldn’t get the job done. That sucks. Don’t feel like talking about this one anymore.
I was at this game, now I’m 0-3 for the three games I’ve gone to this year so far (counting spring training games, too).

The finale of the Angels/Rangers series was a rainout. Don’t like rainouts – especially with a scheduled off day the next day. Waaah! :)

It’s early on, and I know things will be different at the end of the season, but I’m tired of talking about this many losses this short into the season. Blech.
Was nice to see Arod break out with a couple of hits and a home run – damn that wind in the bottom of the 9th! :(
There are some addtl game notes here and here.

Opening day! Headed out to the Ballpark I noticed cops on every overpass on Rt. 30. I was walking around the ballpark – there were lines out the door down the street. I saw about 20 different motorcycle cops & a helicopter around. Then I remembered – the Vice President was here today. They even had metal detectors in the lower sections!
Anyway, the opening day ceremonies were cool. I normally do NOT like marching band stuff, but I got into the UT band – especially when they played Yellow Rose of Texas, with a group of helum filled yellow balloons being released at the same time. Also, after the Player intros, Raffy ran over to the band and stood in front of them moving his arms like a conductor – it was funny. :)
Anyway, the game itself took less time to play (2:17) than it took me to get HOME! Game was over around 4:20ish, and I didn’t get home until about 6:50PM, and I live in Garland. That was nuts.
Great game – even though we lost. A rare pitcher’s duel, with a total of 11 hits for both teams. Ismael Valdes was everything we wanted in a pitcher – unfortunately, Scott Schoenweis was a bit better. Valdes made one mistake to Troy Glaus, a two run HR shot in the 7th that lost the game for us. Yeah, I know we’re 1-4, and it doesn’t look good starting, but I still have a good feeling about this season, even if I can’t back it up with any facts. :)

Day games during the week are tough for me, as I’m at work, and can’t easily pay attention to them. Still, I listened to this game the best I could, and it appeared that the Rangers managed a good game finally. Arod broke out of his hitless streak, got hit by two pitches, and almost started a brawl. :) Bill Haselman also had a big three run home run, which was a game clincher (for the most part).
Doug Davis got the win, and Rocker came in, and pitched the same way I saw him pitch at the exhibition game last Friday night. He was very Wettelandesque in that he loaded the bases (and gave up a home run, too) before getting the save.
Nice to get a win – it will be nicer when we open at home tomorrow. I’ll be there. I’ll be in Sec 326 Row 3 if anyone wants to stop by and say hello. :)