Super split
Sunday's game ended up a lot closer than it had to be, but the Rangers still got the W, so that's all that matters, really.
I can't believe I'm going to say this, but Vicente Padilla was spectacular through the first six innings. He was working fast and efficiently. Until a runner got to second base in the seventh. Then...he slowed down and became less effective.
Once again, the bullpen was called in to keep the fire from spreading. Frank Francisco shut the Mariners down for the rest of the seventh inning and Joaquin Benoit got a quick eighth. C.J. Wilson came in for the ninth. He's admitted he's an adrenaline junkie, but apparently a 5-1 lead doesn't provide enough adrenaline for him. He got two quick outs, but then allowed three hits. The Mariners scored twice, including once on a wild pitch. Finally, and mercifully, with the lead cut to 5-3, Wilson struck out Betancourt.
Sammy Sosa started the Rangers offense with a two-run shot in the first, but the night's offensive stars might have been Ian Kinsler and Brad Wilkerson. Kinsler went 3 for 4 and scored three times. I'm starting to think he REALLY likes hitting lead off. Wilkerson was 2 for 3 with a double, a triple and an RBI. He didn't strike out once.
KISS: Marlon Byrd, who didn't have any hits, but managed to drive in two runs on sac flies. He also had an amazing catch in the second inning to rob Adrian Beltre of extra bases. I haven't seen anyone run to that deepest part of the park and run down a ball since....probably Gary Matthews Jr.
MISS: I don't think I've given him a miss in quite awhile, but it's gonna have to be C.J. Wilson. He allowed two earned runs in the top of the 9th with a four-run cushion. The game didn't have to be that close. Thankfully, he got it together and Vicente Padilla still got the win. With as well as he pitched, he deserved it.
Today's an off-day, and I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself when there's no baseball. The Cubs (my second team) isn't even playing today. I guess I'll have to clean and do laundry. :-P
I've been so overwhelmingly busy this summer that I havn't had the time I want to just sit and write about baseball. It has been rather irritating to be honest.
And picking an all time lineup was really hard. There are so many legends that it is difficult to pick even 3 for each position, let alone one.
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I actually think C.J.'s stuggles the other night are evidence that he is destined to be a great closer. All the great ones seem to give up a few runs when they come in in the ninth when the game isn't on the line.
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Laundry is no fun... I really like Marlon Byrd. He's no all-star, but he does the little things right.
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