July 22, 2008
Texas in Second
The Texas Rangers shut down the Chicago White Sox Monday night behind the pitching of Scott Feldman and three strong innings by the bullpen. Feldman made one mistake, a gopher ball to Carlos Quentin that plated the White Sox's only run. Hamilton and Blalock went deep for Texas, account for five of the six Texas runs. That gives Hamilton 98 RBI in 96 games he's played, and 100 Texas games. That puts him on a pace for 159 RBI this season.
With the Oakland loss to Tampa Bay, the Rangers move into second place in the AL West, 8 1/2 games behind the Angels (who fell last night to the Cleveland Indians). They are also 5 1/2 games back in the AL Wild Card race. Starting on 4/25, Texas is 45-32, the fourth best record in the majors.
When the Rangers win a game 1-0, as they did Sunday, I start getting these strange ideas about postseason play.
Then I look at the AL staff ERA stats. Texas at 6.59 in July? Gag. The hitters have somehow managed a 9-7 record in the month, which is remarkable and unsustainable.
But at least it's nice not to be buried yet. 5 1/2 out of the wild card at this point? Who woulda thunk it?
Last night was the biggest strike zone I'd ever seen. It wouldn't have surprised me if a throw to first was called a strike. (It was consistent for both teams.)