An Epic Blast in Texas!

Happy Saturday my friends! I am like a little kid living the baseball dream, and chuckling at the reluctant 'bandwoning' that will inevitably occur on the heels of a team playing incredibly well...

Friday night the rival Angels came to Arlington. Their chief rival has had bullpen issues and, like Texas, the bullpen has been a thorn in Mike Scioscia's side. Joe Saunders has always had problems pitching at Rangers Ballpark. Last night was more of the same.

Ian Kinsler went deep twice. Andruw Jones also did the same. The hit that the 33,000 plus fans will forever remember was an 8th inning blast that traveled 460 feet! Josh Hamilton hit it, and immediately I commented that this was one of the longer hit home runs in Arlington. For the record, it was the 3rd longest. Paul Sorrento hit a blast 491 feet in 1995. Jose Canseco went 480 feet circa 1997. Add the Hambino to that list.

Kevin Millwood was one inning short of making his 10th straight start and going at least seven innings. That last happened in 1997. Still he had good enough stuff to carry the Rangers into the 7th. For the first time in ten days he finally had huge run support in earning his 4th win. CJ Wilson earned his first save. It should not have gotten that far!

There's a reason that Anaheim has been the class of the A.L. West for so long. In the 9th inning of what was a 10-3 game, I watched six straight Angle batters get on base with 2 outs and 2 strikes. Derek Holland and Darren O'Day got roughed up for 5 runs. Texas finally got the last out for a 10-8 win.

The Rangers have now won 5 straight. The last time Texas had a 2.5 game lead in the standings was June 19th, 2005. They have now won 5 straight, 12 of 14, and show signs of running away with things if pitching is any indication. I like what my eyes are showing me! At 21-14, things are turning in the favor of the Rangers.

Weather may delay today's 3pm start in Arlington. It's also Josh Hamilton Bobblehead Day. Robert Earl Keen performs postgame. Always a great concert. After I complete the morning errands, I will be ready for a great matchup as Vicente Padilla will face John Lackey. Lackey makes his 2009 debut after being on the Disabled List.

Here's hoping the team stays healthy. Living the dream otherwise.

Time for a Quad Venti Mocha!

Over and out in Big D

Mr Will