Texas Swept In San Francisco

Kevin Millwood did everything he could to keep Texas in the game, going seven innings, striking out ten while allowing just three runs (one unearned).

But once again, Millwood was failed by his offense, which didn't manage a single base hit until the 7th inning and scored just two runs (thanks to a 2-run Andruw Jones homerun). Giants starter Barry Zito turned back the clock, doing to Texas what he did to them years ago when he was a member of the Oakland A's, keeping them confused to the tune of eight strikeouts over seven innings.



The Rangers are now hitting .218 for the month of June with a .277 on-base percentage and a .363 slugging percentage. They are averaging just 3.3 runs per game and have lost 11 of 18 games

"It's just a funk," Ian Kinsler said. "There's not much else you can say. We're facing adversity right now. Every team goes through adversity at some point during the season and you have to fight through it. Zito threw well. You want to give him credit for throwing the ball the way he did, but we feel we're better than that."

While it's true Zito did throw the ball well, how much of that was due to the flailing nature of an offense that seems to have forgotten how to work pitchers?

"We just got outplayed," Millwood said. "They pitched better than we did, they got big base hits when they needed to. It just seems we're in a little bit of a funk right now."

Notice both Ian Kinsler and Kevin Millwood used the word 'funk'. One has to wonder how long this team has before this 'funk' begins to be viewed as a 'trend'.

Holland Impressive But Rangers Offense Awful Again

Derek Holland had the best outing of his young career, giving Texas seven great innings of one-run baseball, striking out five. San Francisco is arguably the worst offense in baseball but a quality start is a quality start.

"Derek pitched his tail off," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "That's what we've got to look forward to. He was excellent."



But in the bottom of the 11th, Jason Jennings bounced a wild pitch past Jarrod Saltalamacchia, allowing the Giants to score, pulling out the 2-1 victory. Regardless, Jennings was not to blame for the Rangers dropping yet another game to an inferior team.

Giants pitcher Matt Cain took advantage of a Texas offense that has seemingly lost its identity, going eight innings, allowing one run and striking out eight. Texas managed three (!) hits over eleven innings, and went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

Texas is now hitting .224 for the month of June and seems to have forgotten how to hit with runners on base.

"I would never have guessed it," Rangers President and Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan said. "I would have guessed we would have scored our normal progression of runs. Our hitting woes have been going on for a while. If we're going to win ballgames, we have to execute in all three parts of the game. Our defense has improved, our pitching has improved and offensively we have to capitalize on our opportunities."

The Big Unit & Co. Hold Texas Down In San Fran

Texas' one feared offense has disappeared and, if they are to stay in the race for the AL West crown, they'd better find it soon.

San Francisco scored three runs in the first three innings, jumping out to an quick lead thanks to a solo homerun by Aaron Rowand. Their starter, 300-game winner Randy Johnson, looked confident on the mound, controlling the Rangers hitters early.



Michael Young got Texas back in it with a solo homer in the top of the 4th. They added three more runs in the 6th, chasing Johnson in the process, thanks to an RBI single by Nelson Cruz, followed by a 2-run double by Marlon Byrd.

However, Texas was only 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position (one of those hits in infield single that didn't score a run) and, after starter and San Fran native Scott Feldman gave the lead back in the bottom of the 6th, were never able to recover.

Ron Washington knows missed opportunities like early lead-off hits by Ian Kinsler (double in the 1st) and Hank Blalock (triple in the 2nd) have to result in runs if Texas is to truly be considered a serious threat in the AL.

"The two we needed most were the ones we didn't get in the first and second inning," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "Those were the ones that came back to haunt us."

With the loss, the Rangers lead in the West is now down to 1/2 game over the Angels.

"We can't worry about the Angels," outfielder Marlon Byrd said. "They're going to win games, it's as simple as that. If we win, we'll be fine. If we don't and they get on a streak, they'll catch us. That's where we're at. We just need to take care of our business."