Put Your Hands Up, The Rangers Are In Town - A MLB 09 'Chise

[Scott]

Rangers score early and often

Texas wasted little time before scoring their first runs of the day, and Mark Hendrickson was in for a short outing. Texas scored 3 runs in the 1st off an RBI double for Hamilton & 2-Run RBI double by Andruw Jones. They would tack on a couple more in the 2nd off of a Michael Young home run to left field, just a few feet to the right of the Fair Poul.

However Baltimore would come back with a couple in the bottom of the 2nd on a RBI single by Luke Scott & RBI double by Ty Wigginton, but that's all they could scour off Padilla. Once Hendrickson was out of the game (after 1.2 IP) Alfredo Simon really performed well, going 4.1 IP and not allowing a single hit while striking out 7 in that span.

Ron Washington spoke about him, "his splitter was really hard for us to pick up, and that's what gave us real problems." Baltimore would tack on 1 more run in the 6th to make it a 6-4 ballgame.

Texas came right back in the 7th on a 3 Run-RBI double by Hank Blalock with the bases loaded and 2 outs to give the Rangers a comfortable 9-4 lead. CJ Wilson would come on in the 8th to get a little work, but gave up a solo shot to Mora, but it wouldn't lead to anything else as Texas holds on 9-5 to end their 5 game losing streak.

Play of the Game

Player of the Game

Michael Young

Texas 9, Baltimore 5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E TEX (7-9) 3 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 9 11 1 BAL (4-13) 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 5 9 3	April 25, 2009 Camden Yards Baltimore, MD
WIN: Padilla (2-1) LOSS: Hendrickson (0-4)

Texas Rangers Hitters AB R H BI AVG Kinsler 2B 5 1 1 0 .203 Young 3B 5 3 2 2 .263 Hamilton CF 5 3 3 1 .329 Jones RF 5 1 3 3 .396 Blalock DH 4 0 1 3 .267 Byrd LF 4 0 0 0 .222 Davis 1B 4 0 0 0 .218 Saltalamacchia C 4 1 1 0 .235 O. Vizquel SS 3 0 0 0 .000 TEX TOTALS 39 9 11 9 BATTING 2B: J. Hamilton 2 (3), H. Blalock (5), A. Jones (4) HR: M. Young (2) RBI: M. Young 2 (7), J. Hamilton (7), H. Blalock 3 (8), A. Jones 3 (7) HBP: O. Vizquel GIDP: C. Davis BASERUNNING CS: J. Hamilton (3) FIELDING E: C. Davis (2) Pitchers IP H R ER ERA V. Padilla W, 2-1 5.1 7 4 4 5.32 E. Guardado H, 3 1.2 1 0 0 1.64 C. Wilson 1.0 1 1 1 3.86 F. Francisco 1.0 0 0 0 1.50 TEX TOTALS 9.0 9 5 5 PITCHING Strikeouts: V. Padilla (4), E. Guardado (2), F. Francisco (1) WP: V. Padilla (1)

Baltimore Orioles Hitters AB R H BI AVG Roberts 2B 5 0 0 0 .269 Jones CF 4 0 0 0 .224 Markakis RF 4 0 0 0 .324 Huff 1B 4 2 2 0 .358 Mora 3B 4 2 3 2 .265 Scott DH 4 1 2 2 .318 Zaun C 4 0 0 0 .308 Wigginton SS 4 0 1 1 .348 Pie LF 4 0 1 0 .159 BAL TOTALS 37 5 9 5 BATTING 2B: A. Huff (5), T. Wigginton (2) HR: M. Mora 2 (4) RBI: M. Mora 2 (8), T. Wigginton (5), L. Scott 2 (8) BASERUNNING FIELDING E: B. Roberts (2), T. Wigginton (2), G. Zaun (1) DP: Wigginton-Roberts-Huff Pitchers IP H R ER ERA M. Hendrickson L, 0-4 1.2 7 6 5 11.40 A. Simon 4.1 0 0 0 3.77 J. Johnson 0.2 2 2 2 5.40 D. Sarfate 1.1 2 1 1 9.35 C. Ray 1.0 0 0 0 4.70 BAL TOTALS 9.0 11 9 8 PITCHING Strikeouts: A. Simon (7), J. Johnson (1), D. Sarfate (1), C. Ray (1)

Table created by: PUJOLS4MVP

[Scott]

GAME 3 OF 4

Texas (8-9, W1) vs. Baltimore (4-14, L1)

STARTING PITCHERS

Kris Benson (0-2, 6.43 ERA) vs. Rich Hill (0-2, 7.71 ERA)
Team Matchup
21st (.256) AVG 19th (.260)
14 (t-22nd) HR 23 (t-5th)
66 (21st) R 75 (t-16th)
20th (4.24) ERA 30th (5.88)

Preview: The Texas bats finally came out to play in the last week, scoring 9 runs including 6 runs in the first two innings. Texas will send Benson on the mound while Baltimore throws out former Cub Rich Hill. One more bad start for Benson could land him in the bullpen in favor of either Feldman or Jennings, or could even land hand him in AAA in favor of Neftali Feliz, who is 1-1 with a 1.65 ERA with quality starts in every start. Feliz has gone 27.1 IP, allowing just 19 hits while striking out 22 and having a 0.77 WHIP,

[42]

Poor Rich Hill doesn't know what's coming to him.

[Scott]

Benson Pitches Gem


With all eyes on Kris Benson, he sure came out and pitched wonderfully. Benson went 6 strong innings, while allowing only 4 hits against his former team and picked up his 1st win of the game. Hank Blalock is finally starting to get his offense going, hitting his 1st HR of the Game.

Highlights

Player of the Game


Rangers P Kris Benson

Texas 6, Baltimore 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E TEX (8-9) 3 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 6 15 0 BAL (4-14) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1	April 26, 2009 Camden Yards Baltimore, MD
WIN: K. Benson (1-2) LOSS: R. Hill (0-3) SAVE: J. Jennings (1)

Texas Rangers Hitters AB R H BI AVG Kinsler 2B 5 1 2 0 .219 Young 3B 5 1 1 0 .259 Hamilton CF 5 1 3 2 .347 Jones RF 5 1 1 1 .377 Blalock DH 5 1 2 2 .277 Murphy LF 4 0 1 0 .278 Davis 1B 4 1 3 0 .254 Saltalamacchia C 4 0 2 0 .255 Andrus SS 3 0 0 1 .164 TEX TOTALS 40 6 15 6 BATTING 2B: I. Kinsler (3), M. Young (2), C. Davis (2) HR: J. Hamilton (5), H. Blalock (1) RBI: J. Hamilton 2 (9), H. Blalock 2 (10), A. Jones (8), E. Andrus (5) BASERUNNING SB: I. Kinsler (1) CS: E. Andrus (2) FIELDING DP: Young-Kinsler-Davis Pitchers IP H R ER ERA K. Benson W, 1-2 6.0 4 0 0 4.50 J. Jennings SV, 1 3.0 0 0 0 5.19 TEX TOTALS 9 4 0 0 PITCHING Strikeouts: K. Benson (5), J. Jennings (1)

Baltimore Orioles Hitters AB R H BI AVG Roberts 2B 4 0 1 0 .268 Jones CF 4 0 0 0 .211 Markakis RF 4 0 0 0 .306 Huff 1B 4 0 1 0 .352 Mora 3B 3 0 0 0 .254 Scott DH 3 0 0 0 .304 Zaun C 2 0 0 0 .296 Wigginton SS 3 0 1 0 .346 Gathright LF 3 0 1 0 .167 BAL TOTALS 30 0 4 0 BATTING 2B: A. Huff (6) GIDP: A. Jones BASERUNNING FIELDING E: T. Wigginton (3) Pitchers IP H R ER ERA R. Hill L, 0-3 3.0 10 5 5 D. Baez 1.1 2 0 0 J. Johnson 1.2 1 1 1 J. Walker 1.2 1 0 0 C. Ray 1.1 1 0 0 BAL TOTALS 9 15 6 6 PITCHING Strikeouts: R. Hill (3), J. Johnson (2), C. Ray (1)

Table created by: PUJOLS4MVP

[Scott]

GAME 4 OF 4

Texas (9-9, W2) vs. Baltimore (4-15, L2)

STARTING PITCHERS

Matt Harrison (1-1, 5.06 ERA) vs. Chris Waters (1-1, 5.89 ERA)

Team Matchup
17th (.263) AVG 21st (.254)
16 (22nd) HR 23 (t-6th)
72 (20th) R 75 (t-18th)
18th (4.01) ERA 30th (5.89)

Preview: It was a successful day for the whole Texas organization. All 3 teams won, the Rangers, Redhawks and RoughRiders, allowing a total of 3 combined runs. Elizardo Ramirez picked up his 2nd win of the season while going the distance and allowing just 4 hits the entire again against the Omaha Royals. While Omar Poveda pitched 7 innings allowing just 2 runs while scattering 7 hits over 7. Texas goes for it's 3rd straight over Baltimore and with a win would have won 6/7 over Baltimore this season.

[Scott]

Bench Comes Up Huge, Win Third Straight

Despite getting the early lead on a Michael Young 2 run HR in the 1st. Texas keeps doing the right things, getting good pitching and timely hits. Michael Young hit his 3rd HR of the year, while Hank Blalock hit his 2nd. But no hit was bigger than Chris Davis' RBI single down the left field line in the 7th inning off the bench to give Texas the go ahead run 5-4. While CJ Wilson got into some trouble in the 8th with a lead off double. Ron Washington signaled Frank Francisco for the difficult 5 out save. Frankie handled it with ease, getting the 5 outs without allowing a hit and striking out 3 to earn his 5th save of the season.

Minor League Action: Holland and the Redhawks took on Omaha opposite of Sydney Ponson, They easily took care of them 3-0, Holland earned his 2nd win of the season and went 8 IP, scattering 5 hits while striking out 7, his ERA is now at 1.67. Holland is in competition for the lowest starter ERA with Neftali Feliz, who's ERA is just 1.65. Kasey Kiker and the Rough Riders opened a four game set against San Antonio. Kiker struggled going only 3.2 IP while giving up 5 runs and 7 hits but Thomas Diamond earned the win in relief by going 4 1/3 allowing only 4 hits and 1 run to earn his 1st win of the season.

Highlights

Player of the Game

Rangers Closer Frank Francisco

Texas 5, Baltimore 4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E TEX (9-9) 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 5 11 0 BAL (4-14) 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 10 0	April 27, 2009 Camden Yards Baltimore, MD
WIN: E. Guardado (1-0) LOSS: D. Sarfate (2-1) SAVE: F. Francisco (5)

Texas Rangers Hitters AB R H BI AVG Kinsler 2B 4 1 1 0 .221 Young 3B 5 1 2 2 .267 Hamilton DH 5 0 0 0 .325 Jones CF 3 1 2 0 .393 1-Golson, PR, CF 1 1 0 0 .250 Blalock 1B 3 1 1 2 .279 Byrd RF 3 0 1 0 .228 Davis PH 1 0 1 1 .267 Murphy LF 4 0 1 0 .275 Saltalamacchia C 4 0 1 0 .254 Andrus SS 4 0 1 0 .169 TEX TOTALS 37 5 11 5 BATTING 2B: M. Young (3), A. Jones 2 (6) HR: M. Young (3), H. Blalock (2) RBI: M. Young 2 (9), H. Blalock 2 (12), C. Davis (12) HBP: I. Kinsler, A. Jones BASERUNNING FIELDING Pitchers IP H R ER ERA M. Harrison 4.1 7 3 3 5.31 J. Rupe 1.1 1 1 1 1.93 E. Guardado W, 1-0 1.1 1 0 0 1.46 C. Wilson H, 5 0.1 1 0 0 3.60 F. Francisco SV, 5 1.2 0 0 0 1.17 TEX TOTALS 9 10 4 4 PITCHING Strikeouts: M. Harrison (3), J. Rupe (2), E. Guardado (1), F. Francisco (3) WP: F. Francisco (1), J. Rupe (1)

Baltimore Orioles Hitters AB R H BI AVG Roberts 2B 4 0 0 0 .256 Jones CF 4 0 1 0 .213 Markakis RF 4 1 3 0 .329 Huff 1B 4 0 2 1 .360 Scott DH 4 2 1 0 .301 Wigginton 3B 4 1 1 0 .333 Pie LF 4 0 1 2 .164 Andino SS 3 0 0 0 .143 Gathright PH 1 0 0 0 .158 Moeller C 3 0 1 1 .154 Izturis PH 1 0 0 0 .096 BAL TOTALS BATTING 2B: N. Markakis 2 (5), A. Huff (7), T. Wigginton (3) RBI: A. Huff (22), F. Pie 2 (4), C. Moeller (1) BASERUNNING CS: A. Jones (1) FIELDING Pitchers IP H R ER ERA C. Waters 5.0 7 4 4 6.17 J. Walker 1.0 2 0 0 3.77 D. Sarfate L, 2-1 0.2 1 1 1 9.64 D. Baez 0.0 1 0 0 4.35 J. Johnson 0.1 0 0 0 5.27 C. Ray 1.0 0 0 0 3.60 A. Simon 1.0 0 0 0 3.52 BAL TOTALS 9 11 5 5 PITCHING Strikeouts: C. Waters (6), D. Sarfate (2), A. Simon (3)

Table created by: PUJOLS4MVP

Scoring Summary Details
			TEX	BAL
	1st	Young homered to center, Kinsler scored.	2	0
	2nd	Pie grounded out to 2nd, Scott scored.	2	1
	2nd	Moeller singled to left, Pie scored.	2	2
	3rd	Huff doubled to right, Markakis scored.	2	3
	6th	Blalock homered to right, Jones scored.	4	3
	6th	Pie singled to center, Scott scored.	4	4
	7th	Davis singled to left, Golson scored.	5	4

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[Scott]

LEAGUE NEWS (Updated Each Monday)

Transactions
No Major Transactions

2009 AL East Standings
TEAM	W	L	GB
Blue Jays	18	3	-
Red Sox	14	5	3.0
Yankees	14	6	3.5
Rays	8	12	9.5
Orioles	4	16	13.5

2009 AL Central Standings
TEAM	W	L	GB
White Sox	14	4	-
Indians	10	10	4.0
Twins	9	11	5.0
Royals	5	14	8.5
Tigers	4	16	10.0

2009 AL West Standings
TEAM	W	L	GB
Angels	12	7	-
Rangers	10	9	2.0
Athletics	9	10	3.0
Mariners	7	13	5.5

2009 NL East Standings
TEAM	W	L	GB
Mets	10	9	-
Phillies	10	10	0.5
Braves	9	10	1.0
Nationals	7	12	3.0
Marlins	6	13	4.0

2009 NL Central Standings
TEAM	W	L	GB
Brewers	12	7	-
Astros	12	8	0.5
Pirates	12	8	0.5
Cardinals	13	8	1.0
Cubs	11	8	1.0
Reds	5	15	7.5

2009 NL West Standings
TEAM	W	L	GB
Giants	12	6	-
Dodgers	13	7	1.0
Rockies	10	8	2.0
Padres	7	13	6.0
Diamondbacks	6	13	6.5

AL League Leaders
D. Pedroia	Avg	.420
C. Quentin	HR	8
A. Huff/A. Rios	RBI	22
B. Upton	R	22
D. Pedroia	SB	8
5 Players	W	4
R. Halladay	ERA	1.23
R. Halladay	K	35
B.J. Ryan	SV	10

NL League Leaders
K. Johnson	Avg	.380
P. Fielder	HR	8
C. Duncan	RBI	21
C. Hart	R	15
M. Bourne	SB	10
A. Wainwright	W	4
B. Myers	ERA	0.57
R. Harden	K	35
J. Motte/H. Street	SV	8

Team Leaders
A. Jones	Avg	.393
J. Hamilton	HR	5
H. Blalock/C. Davis	RBI	12
J. Hamilton	R	15
E. Andrus	SB	2
S. Feldman/V. Padilla	W	2
F. Francisco	ERA	1.17
K. Millwood	K	22
F. Francisco	SV	5

Team Stats
AVG	RUNS	HR	OBP	SB
.265	77	18	.300	3
16th	19th	T-19th	26rd	T-26th
ERA	FLD%	HR	SV	K
4.01	.987	25	6	124
18th	9th	T-26th	T-13th	T-20th

Key Injuries
Player	Team	Injury	Time Out
Jose Reyes	Mets	Torn Groin	42
J. Damon	Yankees	Torn Hamstring	57 Days

[Scott]

SERIES MATCHUP

Oakland (9-10, L1) vs. Texas (10-9, W3)


Trevor Cahill (1-0, 4.34 ERA) vs. Scott Feldman (2-0, 2.92 ERA)
Justin Duchscherer (4-0, 2.01 ERA) vs. Kevin Millwood (1-2, 3.42 ERA)
Dana Eveland (2-2, 5.73 ERA) vs. Vicente Padilla (2-1, 5.32 ERA)

Team Matchup
.259 (20th) AVG .265 (16th)
23 (t-6th) HR 18 (t-19th)
92 (11th) R 77 (19th)
4.69 (25th) ERA 4.01 (18th)

Player to Watch
1B Jason Giambi
.297 avg, 4 HR, 18 RBIs