Close But No Cigar!

Photo By Willie Martin "Mr. Will"

On a weekend where the theme in Arlington is all about the wings (Angels and Ravens) one has to wonder what the remainder of 2014 is going to look like.

The latest announcement/controversy put forth by Yu Darvish on his decision to rest a sore arm not sitting well with some people.

Elbow inflammation and a trip to the DL for at least 15 days. My instincts tell me he will try to shut things down for the season.

"I'm not too concerned," Darvish said Thursday. "I'm just taking a precautionary measure. I'm competitive. I want to go out there and compete but at the same time, I'm thinking about my long-term situation. I don't want to go out there and risk my future. I don't want my elbow to aggravate. I think it's a good decision that I'm making right now."

Of course the issue of being in the cellar was brought into question. His desire to play compared to being on a pennant bound team. Would he, could he pitch then?

"That's a difficult question, Darvish said. "I want to pitch. I think I could if I pushed myself."

That was NOT the answer Ron Washington wanted to hear. When made aware of Yu's comments Wash was beside himself and angrily said, 'I don't want to hear that s%&t!'

After losing three of four the Angels came into town August 15th for three. L.A. only 13-12 since the break but on a 10-5 roll on the road in the chase for 1st place with the Oakland A's. 

Nick Martinez (2-8) and Garrett Richards (12-4) faced off and for 4 innings it was complete mastery of the plate by both hurlers. Nick Martinez through six innings of work should have only gotten tabbed for 1 run on 5 hits.

Instead one pitch thrown to Kyle Calhoun in the 5th became a 413 foot bombastic blast-his 13th-good for three run and a lead the Halos would not lose. 

Of the nine hits the Angels accrued 8 of them came by the 8, 9, 1 batters. Kyle Calhoun 1 atriple shy of the cycle while Chris Iannetta had three singles of his own.

Adrian Beltre had his second 4 hit game of the season. His first happened when Ian Kinsler made his return to Arlington as a Tiger June 24th.

Houston Street got his 8th save (32 on season) with a perfect ninth to offset six different pitchers used by Ron Washington including the pro debut of John Edwards.

Texas fell to 47-75 while Mike Scioscias guys improved to 72-49, 1 game back of Oakland and Seattle now 6.5 back with the second Wild Card in their name for the moment!

Remember what a certain person told you back in April about the West going to get tight?

You're welcome.

A crowd of 31,465 enjoyed the flying Elvi and a great fireworks show to Elvis music. Again the Rangers came up just a little bit short. Colby Lewis will go up against  Matt Shoemaker. Nick Tepesch versus Hector Santiago Sunday.

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will