Going to try something slightly different today, as I'm a bit strapped for time - instead of one my long, detailed recaps we're just going to take a quick look at today's highlights. Cool?
- Scott Feldman looked like the 2008 Scott Feldman today - he cruised through the first four innings, working successfully around a bases-loaded jam in the third, and then got charged with 5 runs in the 5th when the Indians started the inning double, double, homer. Feldman's notable achilles heel in his first year as a starter in 2008 was his inability to stay effective deep into games - opponents lit him up last year for a .967 OPS against in the 6th inning, and a 1.271 OPS from the 7th inning on (he averaged about 5.76 IP per start, if my math is correct). This may only be the first time Feldman has gone beyond the 3rd inning this spring, but his performance today isn't going to do anything to help his reputation as a guy who tends to fall apart quickly once he gets tired.
That said, it should be noted that only 3 of the 5 runs in the 5th inning where earned (thanks to two errors, one by Michael Young and one by Nelson Cruz), and the last run came around to score on the watch of Josh Rupe, who had to finish the inning for Feldman.
- The guys who had the big days swinging the lumber for the Rangers? Josh Hamilton went 2-4 with 3 RBI (double and a 2-run single), Marlon Byrd was 2-4 with 2 RBI singles (and now has a 7-game hitting streak), Michael Young went 3-4 with an RBI double, and Ian Kinsler went 2-4 with a 2-run single. David Murphy and Nelson Cruz also had triples.
One thing of note is that Lee will probably be the Indian's opening day starter in Arlington about 19 days from now - so hopefully this is a good sign for the Rangers chances of snapping their opening day losing streak.
- The guy who provided some unexpected dazzling was Derrick Turnbow. He struck out the side in the 8th, and actually showed some exceptional command, his breaking ball being particularly effective (two called 3rd strikes with it). Turnbow (who has an unsightly 5.87 BB per 9 innings rate for his career) has struggled with his command at times this spring with 4 walks in 5 innings pitched (despite having 1.80 ERA) so this latest outing can't be described as anything less than jaw-dropping. Considering his career history, it's probably a fluke, but I'd say Turnbow's chances of making the bullpen just shot up a considerable amount today.
- Now that I've filled you in on the highlights, here's link to the box score.
And finally, as I wrap this up, some required reading: Jason Parks has his spring prospect interviews up over at BBTiA, as well as some more accompanying notes from his recent trip to Surprise. Go read them, and maybe some of Jason's awesomeness will rub off on you (although it doesn't seem to have worked for me).
Lastly, let me know if you prefer this quick(er) highlight-only style game report to the rambling, possibly over detailed game writeups I did this weekend - I can finish out the rest of the week's games this way, if my readers prefer.
PS - Happy St. Patricks day to all you Irish hooligans out there.
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Shorter is better, lsj.
ReplyDelete-Rodney