Rangers vs. Indians

[Bob Of Burleson]

The game's at 6:05 p.m. on Channel 21.


Williams to lead Rangers into opener with Tribe

By Jamie Ross / MLB.com

Jerome Williams will get the start in the series opener when the Rangers visit the Indians at Progressive Field on Friday.

The 32-year-old right-hander wasn't originally slated to open the set, but Nick Tepesch is still not 100 percent as he recovers from left knee soreness.

Williams will start after a strong outing in his Rangers debut. He threw six innings of one-run ball with four strikeouts in a win over the A's last Friday in what was his first start of the season. Williams is 2-4 with a 5.53 ERA in 27 appearances in 2014, 26 of which came with the Astros, who designated him for assignment earlier this month.

"He gave us an outstanding job, he really did," Rangers manager Ron Washington said after Williams' Texas debut. "I'll take six innings every night with one run. He did it. He was changing speeds, was moving the ball around. … He really did a good job."

Williams, who'll be working on six days of rest, is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in two career starts vs. the Indians, both of which came in 2013. In his lone start at Progressive Field, he pitched 5 2/3 innings allowing four earned runs on four hits in a loss as a member of the Angels.

For Cleveland, Justin Masterson was originally set to make his first start since July 7, but the righty was dealt to the Cardinals on Wednesday ahead of Thursday's non-waiver Trade Deadline. Instead, Danny Salazar will make his first career start against Texas.

Salazar has worked his way back into the Indians rotation after about two months in Triple-A Columbus. He's averaging 10.25 strikeouts per nine innings, which would rank third-best in the American League if he had enough innings under his belt.

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[geeiabil]

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Rangers scalped by the Sons of Wahoo, 12-2.

[Bob Of Burleson]

Williams roughed up as Rangers routed by Tribe
Righty's status in question after allowing 10 runs in four-plus frames

By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com

ARLINGTON -- There is a good chance that pitcher Jerome Williams won't be with the Rangers very long.

Williams, originally signed as a midseason Minor League free agent, is with Texas because Nick Tepesch has a sore left knee, but that will likely change the next time this spot in the rotation comes up. Tepesch threw a bullpen session on Friday and could be ready to pitch on Wednesday against the White Sox.

So if this is it for Williams, he is going out on a historic note. The right-hander allowed 16 of 26 batters to reach base over four-plus innings in a 12-2 loss to the Indians on Friday night at Progressive Field.

That comes out to a .615 on-base percentage for the Indians, which is the highest ever allowed by a Rangers pitcher in a game with a minimum of four innings pitched.

"Not executing, that was basically it," Williams said. "When I did execute, they found holes. It's all on me. This is what happens when you don't execute. [I] also walked three guys. That's not me. I try to attack hitters. That's unacceptable."

Williams, who pitched a terrific game last Friday in beating the Athletics, allowed 10 runs on 13 hits and three walks while striking out two. It is the ninth time in Rangers history a pitcher has allowed 10 runs in a game, and the second this season. Colby Lewis did so on July 10 against the Angels. The 13 hits were one short of a club record.

"Williams just wasn't commanding the baseball tonight like he did against Oakland," manager Ron Washington said. "A lot of pitches over the plate, a lot of deep counts. He didn't have his changeup, he didn't have his breaking ball and he didn't command his fastball. He got a lot of ground balls, but they were hit hard and found holes."

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[kent]

At least Cle is well above .500 and winning their division.



Wait, What?

[geeiabil]

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Believe they're at. 500 just behind K.C.

Post game comments credited him with eating up innings, saving/resting relievers for tomorrow and Sunday.
Call it Busby's silver lining. ;^)

[Bob Of Burleson]

[geeiabil]

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Rangers ambushed 2-0

Caught looking for the final out with two on.

[Bob Of Burleson]

Looked outside to me.

[Bob Of Burleson]

Big hit eludes Rangers in shutout loss to Indians
Mikolas produces solid start, but Texas goes 0-for-9 with RISP

By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com

CLEVELAND -- The Rangers' inability to get a big hit with runners in scoring position cost them again on Saturday night at Progressive Field.

That has often been the case this season and the Rangers' futility in those situations continued after going 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position in a 2-0 loss to the Indians.

The Rangers' lack of offense left starter Miles Mikolas taking the loss despite a strong outing. Mikolas, doing a superb job of changing speeds, held the Indians to two runs in seven innings, allowing five hits, walking two and striking out six.

"He pitched really, really well," manager Ron Washington said. "Too bad we couldn't score for him."

The Indians were 2-for-4 with runners in scoring position with both hits coming in the sixth inning and that made the difference. The Rangers were held without a hit in those situations for the 22nd time and are 2-20 in those games.

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[Bob Of Burleson]

Astros click on all cylinders to knock off Jays
Carter's three hits, jack in fifth support strong start by Oberholtzer

By Chris Abshire / MLB.com

HOUSTON -- When Jose Altuve is hitting, the starting pitching is keeping the bullpen inactive and Chris Carter is cranking homers, the Astros have a formula for success.

The back end of this season-long 10-game homestand is proof of that, cemented by Saturday night's 8-2 victory over the Blue Jays at Minute Maid Park. Houston took a series from Oakland earlier this week and has guaranteed at least a split of this four-game set with Toronto.

On an uncharacteristically cool evening with the roof open, the Astros found the formula and even added some flourishes.

"It was fun to be a part of and to watch," said starter Brett Oberholtzer. "Arguably one of the better games we've played all year."

Oberholtzer settled down after a shaky start, consistently keeping the Blue Jays out of the air, while using some ground balls and his own nifty glovework to get out of jams.

"That's the key word, settling in," he said. "First few innings, I was off and [my] command wasn't really there."

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[Bob Of Burleson]

Rangers 3, Indians 1 in the sixth inning. Yu on the mound.

[geeiabil]

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Injuns 4 Cowboys 3

Wardancing at the wigwam

Rangers get closer, but lose on a walkoff homerun in the 12th after leading entering the bottom of the ninth

[Bob Of Burleson]

Rangers let Darvish's brilliant start slip away to Tribe
Brantley belts walk-off HR off Klein in 12th; Feliz loses lead in ninth

By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com

CLEVELAND -- Michael Brantley hit a leadoff home run off of reliever Phil Klein in the 12th inning to give the Indians a 4-3 victory over the Rangers on Sunday afternoon. The Rangers led 3-1 for most of the afternoon before the Indians rallied at the end.

Neftali Feliz suffered his first blown save since returning to the closer's role when he gave up a two-run home run to David Murphy with one out in the ninth.

Feliz, who was trying to hold a 3-1 lead for Yu Darvish, started the inning by getting Lonnie Chisenhall on a fly to center. But then he walked pinch-hitter Chris Dickerson after getting ahead 0-2 in the count. Murphy then hit a first-pitch fastball just over the right-field wall for a two-run home run.

Darvish held the Indians to one run over seven innings. He allowed four hits and two walks with eight strikeouts while throwing 101 pitches.

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