Almost Historic.

As we say goodbye to the Dog Days of August and on an evening that felt more like Autumn than it did summer, fans were treated to a night of huge production, close calls, and a near historic comeback!

I caught up with my friend Homer prior to game time. We talked about what to look forward to in September and how sales were treating him where the Cowboys were concerned. 10 minutes into the game as we sat behind home plate, Rod Barajas hit a 3-run homer to give the Blue Jays a 5-0 lead. Homer was already beside himself on the heels of what C.J. Wilson did Sunday. Derek Holland was on the mound, and it was going to get worse.

Despite what was going to become this night, I was in a happy frame of mind. A gorgeous night for baseball. I had tickets which were used by a young coworker with a good head on his shoulders. I was content by a busy weekend of work from football, UFC, and college football. I also love the month to come because at one point all 4 sports are in full tilt. I also welcome the cooler weather.

Maybe I would have been better off watching the Vikings, my beloved Vikings on TV in Houston. I was curious to see how the Diva and how Adrian Peterson would perform. Maybe I was better off at work. Maybe I am too much of a sports fanatic. Then I remembered May 8th 2004...

The night Rangers Ballpark was christened Ameriquest Field. The Tigers were in town that Mothers Day weekend. A game where the 5th inning alone went over 70 minutes when 20 runs were scored. A game where Alfonso Soriano went 6 for 6 in a 10 inning game won by the Rangers 16-15. Wild game that I remember well.

Derek Holland fell behind 10-0 on another hit, a grand slam by Adam Lind. It would become 11-0 before the Rangers started to pull a 2004. In the 5th inning, Texas would score a seven spot with a triple by Ian Kinsler and a 3 run homer by Nelson Cruz. The score would get to 11-10 before the relief caved in. A 7 run 9th put the Rangers away 18-10.

Before we got to the 9th inning and Steve Grilli got nailed, I really thought we would see a historic rally and comeback. Heck, Texas has shown resolve and resiliency time and time again. Hey, it's a playoff atmosphere and we're in it right?

Slowly, things are starting to slip away. Win or lose the rest of the way, the Rangers have done great things in 2009. This night there were 4 plays where a drive, a grounder, a line-out, and a force play changed the scope of the game by a matter of inches...

Alas, it wasn't meant to be. For the 16,600 fans in Arlington, more than half left when the deficit hit 11. Homer and I started to talk about how the Cowboys will do, why the Rangers tease us and make things close before imploding late, why fans are so fair weathered in Texas (my theory is due to all the transplants from elsewhere. Texas, California, Oregon, Washington I noticed this).

I heard Adrian and the Vikings did well in Houston. I also hear that Brett Favre may have a cracked rib. Not sure what to think. I just know that my favorite season is about to reach the home stretch before I switch my loyalties to ice and hardwood. 

Monday night in Arlington was like a wild first date. Crazy highs and some precipitous lows. Somewhere in between is where the truth of intentions lie. For the Blue Jays, Adam Lind enjoyed 2 homers and an 8 rbi night. Rod Barajas also went deep twice with 5 ribbies.

Since Barajas is Spanish for cards, suffice to say that it wasn't in the Barajas for el equipo de Tejas en Arlington.

To a doubleheader tomorrow.

Time for a walk!

Over and out in Big D

Mr Will