Texas Drops Another To Toronto

Never let it be said that Rangers manager Ron Washington minces words...

"We got it handed to us tonight in all phases of the game," Washington said. "[Blue Jays starter Brian] Tallet shut us down. We were too aggressive. We usually figure it out and catch up, but we didn't."

Texas' offense could manage nothing, hitting an anemic 2-for-28, getting shutout (9-0) for the 3rd time this season.

Doug Mathis, called up from the minors to take the place of the injured Brandon McCarthy, didn't do much to help things, allowing five runs (four earned) in five innings pitched.



"I didn't help myself too much," Mathis said. "I got to do a better job going to attack hitters. I was falling behind hitters.

The defense didn't help matters much either. The normally surehanded Elvis Andrus committed a huge error in the second inning when he booted a sure double play ball, keeping the inning alive. Toronto shortstop Marco Scutaro made him pay, driving in two runs on a single that gave the Jays a 4-0 lead.

Texas has now lost four in a row to Toronto dating back to their last series with them in May.

Adam Lind Has Big Night For Toronto, Takes Game One From Rangers

Starter Scott Feldman wasn't very sharp last night, pitching up in the zone for most of the game. Regardless, Feldman battled for six innings, allowing four earned runs, all of which were scored off the bat of Blue Jays left fielder Adam Lind, who went 2-for-4 with two homeruns and four RBI, pacing Toronto to the 6-3 victory.

"When he(Lind) is locked in, he's as good as anyone I've ever seen," Toronto center fielder Vernon Wells said.

Catcher Rod Batajas added: "He goes up there and he's successful without even trying."



Texas' offense never did get the big hit they needed, stranding 17 runners on base. They managed just three runs, all of them coming in the bottom of the 6th.

"It was tough," third baseman Michael Young said. "I thought we came out flat and didn't take advantage of the opportunities we had tonight. We're back from the road trip, today and tonight we got situated, tomorrow we need to come back with a better effort."

Texas Looks Lethargic In Loss To Toronto

In their final game of the year in Toronto, the Texas Rangers went down with a whimper, 5-2.

Toronto starting pitching Scott Richmond looked downright nasty for most of his six innings of work, keeping Texas' hitters off-balance, never allowing them to gather any sort of momentum.

For Texas, Kevin Millwood wasn't bad at all but he wasn't great either, going seven innings, striking out three and allowing four earned runs (off three homeruns). Jason Jennings pitched the 8th, loading the bases (thanks in part to two walks) and allowing another run to score.

Rookie sensation Elvis Andrus made two more throwing errors and now has five errors in only 13 games played. While he's made some amazing plays so far this season, he's also made an adventure out of quite a few routine plays. Andrusis giving Texas far more with the bat than they thought they'd get but he's gotta settle down defensively if he's truly gonna make a difference for this team.



If you're looking for positives both Chris Davis and Josh Hamilton hit solo homeruns, hopefully showing some sign that their season-long slumps might finally be coming to an end.

Young's Heroics Not Enough, Holland Makes A Splash

Texas is certainly developing a flare for the dramatic.

After falling down 2-0 in the 2nd (off a 2-run homer by former Ranger Rod Barajas), Texas came back with a couple of their own in the top of the 3rd, thanks to a 2-run single by Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

But Matt Harrison was unable to do much of anything tonight, giving up three runs (including another 2-run homerun by Barajas) in the 4th.

The 5th inning was started by Scott Feldman, who continues to throw buckets of gasoline on fires, giving up two more runs in 1 2/3 innings.



Feldman was then pulled for Derek Holland, who was making his Major League debut and did nothing but impress, going 2 1/3 innings, striking out two and allowing no runs. Holland came in and threw strikes, showing poise on the mound, regularly hitting 94 mph on the radar gun.

Texas began to chip away, picking up one in the 5th, one more in the 8th, and three in the top of the 9th, the last run coming via a solo homerun off the bat of Michael Young.

But C.J. Wilson couldn't hold the lead and, after struggling through the 10th inning, allowed a lead off walk in the top of the 11th. The walk forced in the newly acquired Darren O'Day, who hadn't even been with the team long enough to get his own uniform (O'Day arrived roughly 20 minutes before actually warming up to enter the game), forcing him to wear Kason Gabbard's. Despite the situation, a moment of levity was offered when Ron Washington and the Rangers infield were seen standing on the mound laughing at the sight of seeing a pitcher that they'd previously never met running towards them from their bullpen.

The good feelings lasted all of one batter as Kevin Millar stepped up and did what he's done so many times in his career: drive in the game-winning run.

- Matt Harrison's struggles continue to worry many, his ERA now 9.20. He's been hit very hard and one has to begin to wonder how long they're gonna be able to stick with him pitching the team into early holes. However, with Kris Benson injured and Scott Feldman pitching no better, Texas may not have much choice than to let him see if he can pitch through his issues.

- Darren O'Day has allowed zero earned runs this season. He has, however, allowed five unearned runs. Not exactly what you want out of a relief pitcher.

Texas Heads North, Starts Road Trip With A Win

Making their only trip across the Canadian border this season, Texas hit Toronto riding relatively high after the Mike Young walk-off homerun victory against Kansas City a few days ago and for their trouble, ran into buzzsaw ace Roy Halladay.

Brandon McCarthy went six innings, allowing only three runs before giving way to Eddie Guardado and Jason Jennings, both of whom held the lead for Texas. C.J. Wilson again didn't manage to do his job, allowing an rbi single by Jose Batista. This is becoming habit for C.J. and has got to be a serious concern for Texas.

Luckily, Halladay wasn't his normal self and, despite striking out nine and going eight innings the Rangers managed 2-run homers by Nelson Cruz and Ian Kinsler, and added an rbi single by Chris Davis, giving them just enough for the 5-4 victory.

In a scary moment, home plate umpire Kerwin Danley was hit by a broken bat after a swing by Hank Blalock, knocking him to the ground, sending trainers from both teams
to his aid.



Danley remained conscious but motionless and was eventually carted off the field by paramedics. He was then taken to the hospital for further examination.