Rangers vs. Astros

[Bob Of Burleson]

Game starts at 7:05 p.m.

[Bob Of Burleson]

The Rangers have made the following roster moves:

• Recalled righthander Roman Mendez from AAA Round Rock
• Purchased outfielder Jake Smolinski from AAA Round Rock
• Optioned outfielder Michael Choice to AAA Round Rock
• Designated infielder Donnie Murphy for assignment

The 23-year-old Mendez was the key player obtained from Boston in the 2010 Jarrod Saltalamacchia trade. He’s fanned 30 and walked 12 in 31.1 innings out of the Express bullpen this season (his first at the AAA level), but in his last five appearances he’s struck out eight and issued just one walk over 5.1 frames.

Notably, Mendez has not pitched on consecutive days all season – and in fact has always had at least two days of rest between appearances.

Both Mendez and the 25-year-old Smolinski (.267/.349/.459 between AA and AAA this season, his first with the Rangers after seven years in the Nationals and Marlins systems) will be looking to make their big league debuts.

— Jamey Newberg

[bodine]

Battle for the Bottom?

[BigTex]

Well this is going super.

[geeiabil]

Well this is going super.

Guess that means you won't like the 12-7 final.

[Bob Of Burleson]

Last-place Astros blast Rangers after 6-run first

By Stefan Stevenson
sstevenson@star-telegram.com

ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers have feasted on the Houston Astros for half a decade, including a 36-7 record in head-to-head meetings since 2009 before this season began.

On Monday night at Globe Life Park, however, the Astros were the ones licking their chops.

Last-place Houston, which trailed the Rangers by three games in the AL West entering Monday’s game, struck early for a big lead and piled on for a 12-7 win in front of 31,010.

The Astros jumped on Rangers starter Miles Mikolas for nine runs on 12 hits in just 3 1/3 innings. Most of the damage came in the second inning when Houston, which had lost its previous seven games, batted around.

The Astros scored six runs on seven hits as the first five hitters singled before Marwin Gonzalez’s bases-clearing triple to the right-center field gap made it 6-0. Mikolas recovered to force a popout and then struck out George Springer and Jon Singleton, who started the inning with a single to right.

“It wasn’t quality [pitches],” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “[Mikolas] left too many out over the plate. You have to throw quality strikes, and that one inning they just found a way to put the ball in play and hit the grass out there. And then Gonzalez’s [triple] was the big blow.”

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/07/07 ... rylink=cpy

[BigTex]

Well this is going super.

Guess that means you won't like the 12-7 final.

I called it a night in the eighth inning.

[Bob Of Burleson]

Rangers' Irwin ready for new chance vs. Astros
Righty faces Houston's Peacock as Texas aims to even series

By Mike Vernon / MLB.com

The last time Phil Irwin started in the Major Leagues, the pressure got to him.

Irwin's Major League debut came for the Pirates on April 14 of last season against the Reds. He made it 4 2/3 innings while giving up six hits and five runs (four earned) for an ERA of 7.71.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself my first start in my debut and it didn't go very well," Irwin said. "Just trying to relax and be the pitcher that I know I am and not try to be anybody else."

It would be the only Major League start he'd make in 2013. Irwin had ulnar nerve transposition surgery on July 3 of last year. The Rangers claimed Irwin off waivers in May this year, and he's had a successful Minor League stint at Triple-A Round Rock with a 2.41 ERA in seven appearances.

Tuesday will be Irwin's second career Major League start, as Nick Martinez was scratched from the outing with discomfort in his left side.

"Irwin's been throwing the ball really well at Triple-A," general manager Jon Daniels said. "Has got a very good curveball and looking forward to seeing what he's got."

MORE

[BigTex]

FSSW has probably been warned about taking shots of people sleeping in the stands.

[geeiabil]

FSSW has probably been warned about taking shots of people sleeping in the stands.

.
Apparently Norm was able to stay awake during tonight's 8-3 bloodbath.

[Bob Of Burleson]

Irwin, Rangers fall behind early, fall to Astros
Texas moves closer to last place with 17th loss in 20 games

By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com

ARLINGTON -- Rangers starter Phil Irwin gave up two runs in a bizarre first inning in his debut on Tuesday. The Rangers, down 2-0 right away, spent the rest of the night trying to catch the Astros and were unable to do so.

Instead the Astros pulled away to an 8-3 victory and now the Rangers are just one game out of last place after their 17th loss in the last 20 games.

Irwin, who was the 1,000th player to appear in a game in the history of the Washington/Texas franchise, went four-plus innings and allowed three runs, six hits, two walks and two strikeouts.

He threw 83 pitches, including 33 in the first inning. During that inning, Irwin faced seven batters and didn't get an out until the seventh and final batter.

MORE

[BigTex]

I've had blind dates that weren't as ugly as this is getting.

[kent]

71-91

[BigTex]

Two words:

Silver Boot

[Bob Of Burleson]

VIDEO of Jake Smolinski's first Major League hit.

[BigTex]

This has turned into some really bad baseball. Poor fielding, bad throws, defense out of position, bad base running . . .