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Rangers Have Achilles’ Heel in their Arms

Thu Jul 03, 2008 at 09:30:20 AM
After last night's debut, I hope he didn't throw away this jacket.

As I’ve mentioned a couple times this week, the Rangers are suddenly watchable again. Fun, even.

But last night’s 18-7 loss to the Yankees proves why their still not legit contenders for anything more than a healthy appetizer before Cowboys’ training camp. Drum roll … pitching.

Surprised?

Seven times the Rangers have had a chance for a three-game sweep this season and, after last night’s debacle, they’re 0-7. Someone call this chick, ‘cuz the Rangers have some ‘splainin’ to do.

If every game were 12-9, I could understand how Texas’ bullpen gets used up. But last night – on the heels of 2-1 and 3-2 wins – manager Ron Washington was forced to call on rookie Warner Madrigal nursing a one-run lead in the seventh?

Madrigal allowed the first five hitters to reach base, wound up surrendering six runs and left his major league debut with an ERA of 62.00. Worse, he exposed the Rangers’ bullpen as inefficient enough to compete with the league’s elite.

With a one-run lead and needing nine outs for a sweep at Yankee Stadium, the Rangers have to find better options. -- Richie Whitt

Category: Texas Rangers

8 Comments:

Aiteeyo says:

I think you left a 1 off the front of Madrigal's current ERA...

Dang, you're right. My abacus wouldn't go that high.

Gravypan says:

Aside from Jamey Wright, might I suggest that Wash was a little hamstrung?

Sucks that Madrigal had to make his major league debut in the 7th inning of a tight game against the meat of the Yankees order, but Guardado's injury the other night really screwed them in this situation.

cbillera says:

Ritchie, where's the 4th of July fireworks you promised (Ticket/Greggo)?

Uwe says:

Geez, look at what we've become! Our sad-sack baseball team gets three games over .500 and our sports media expect our 24-year-old rookie reliever to roll into Yankee Stadium for his pro debut in a one-run game in the decisive seventh inning and pitch perfectly.

Not everyone is going to be Chris Davis hitting homers like swatting flies. There's going to be a ton of growing pains in spite of Eric Hurley and Davis.

Madrigal was put in a prime position to fail, and everyone's ready to give up on the guy. Suddenly, Dallas-Fort Worth are baseball snobs.

firsttimelongtime says:

Ritchie already answered that question, July 9. Keep up woodya?

firsttimelongtime says:

Ritchie
Oh, and it's they're, not their. Started the 4th a little early did we?
Cheez!

Alison says:

My best team of MLB is The Texas Rangers . This why I always fallow their games especially whenever I have some time. I’m always trying not o miss any of their game and hear about the team’s news. But The Texas Rangers tickets get more pricy especially when there are some hot games. But, if we’re really good fans we should try not to be mean when we’re talking about a favourite teams. It’s not only the Rangers tickets that got pricy, but there are other major teams too, so the team needs our support and we should provide as much as we can.

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