Flo from Progressive's sex appeal.
Sympathy for the Texas Longhorns.
The Cowboys' playoff success this millennium.
Scoring in tonight's U.S.-Mexico soccer match.
The girl to the right's bikini.
Oklahoma State's credibility.
Yeah, the Rangers' offensive support for Yu Darvish is
that small. They're so inept with their ace on the mound these days you'd think RISP was a four-letter obscenity.
Darvish bounced back from one of his worst starts as a Ranger, holding the Pittsburgh Pirates to one run Monday night before leaving with cramps in his leg after six innings and 81 pitches. But yet again, one run was one too many as the offense managed only three singles in a painful 1-0 loss.
As the Rangers now face their largest division deficit (two games) since Aug. 5 and the Oakland A's' Magic Number dwindles to 20, this has deteriorated from a statistical oddity into an alarming trend. The Rangers have lost the last five starts by Darvish. In those games they've produced run totals of 3, 2, 2, 4 and 0.
Darvish's last win? Aug. 12 against the Houston Astros. Score: 2-1.
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"This is what it is," said Darvish, who's receiving a minuscule 2.9 runs of support in his last 19 starts. "It's baseball. Sometimes, the offense can't score a run. Some days, you might score 20 runs. Some days, you might throw a no-hitter and not win. The hitters did their best and I did my best."
Another September, another offensive swoon?
We all know how Josh Hamilton and the bats vanished down the stretch a year ago. And so far, so ugly in 2013. Totally neutered by Pirates' rookie Gerrit Cole, the Rangers - I think it's safe to say they now miss Nelson Cruz - have scored five runs or less in nine consecutive games. Their only scoring chance last night came after two walks and three stolen bases in the 6th, but Adrian Beltre hit a harmless chopper to shortstop.
Darvish is the first Rangers' starter to lose three 1-0 games in a season. It happened May 21 against A's, July 27 at Cleveland and last night. If it happens again in his next start - Saturday against Oakland - he'll pull his hair out and we'll likely count Texas out.
Darvish deserved better. Unlike in Oakland when he was a nibbling, angry, pouting mess, he was aggressive and animated on the mound. But he also must come to grips with this realization:
There have been 14 1-0 games at Rangers Ballpark in 20 seasons, two of them with him pitching this summer.
The Rangers are and have been lacking consistent production from the leadoff spot, which in turn has forced Wash to shuffle the top of the order all season.
ReplyDeleteThis season is ending with a ton of bad omens. Consider that we gave up more prospects for Matt Garza than he has wins. Before he got here he was 6-1 with a 3.17 ERA and 5-0 with 1.24 ERA in six starts prior to the trade. Think he resigns here? No chance!
ReplyDeleteLove reading your articles/opinions/rants etc. Sad to say Rangers are done for 2013.
ReplyDeleteUsually a midfielder is either offensive (means playing higher in the field) or defensive (which means playing nearer your defensive line).FUN88 Indonesia
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