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On the back side That's like an RBI single. It took away a run, finished the game and maybe prevented the Boston Red Sox from scoring any more.
Any notion that the Rangers are all pitching and offense is ridiculous. Yes, they can cut down on the errors (a lot of them are fundamental plays being screwed up ... not balls being misplayed that most fielders can't get to), but this team changes the way an opponent plays. Going first to third is not an easy proposition. A ball hit into the hole is not an automatic single. Triples are cut down to doubles and doubles to singles.
Look at other teams. They lose games all the time and it's not just always bad pitching or errors that bite them in the ass. They lose because they don't have an Ian Kinsler at second, Elvis Andrus at shortstop or Josh Hamilton in centerfield.
For most teams, that play is an RBI single and it's 4-1 with the reliever struggling with command and runners at first and third.
Instead, it was a fantastic grab, a better throw and ballgame. 4-0 and the Rangers are back beating up on the Boston Red Sox. The Rangers have won 10 of 13 against Boston in Arlington the last two years. It doesn't hurt that David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis are out. Or that Erik Bedard was on the mound.
It didn't hurt having C.J. Wilson on the mound either. He's 4-0 with a 1.08 ERA against Boston in five career starts. It's the Rangers' 15 shutout on the season, the most since 1977 when they had 17.
Notes:
1. Loving Mike Napoli when his eyes light up against left-handed pitching. He has an 11-game hit streak. Six homers in August. A .602 slugging against lefties (although, he's not awful against righties).
2. Craig Gentry do what he do. Third inning walk. Gets moved around and scores. He's just a good baseball player.
3. Mike Adams is such a Billy Badass.
4. Four-game series against Boston. Neftali Feliz is pitching in 4-0 game? Throws 23 pitches. Remember this on Thursday.
5. If people are going to scoreboard watch California-Baltimore, then we should look at the overall standings in the American League. Rangers are seven back in the loss column to New York and five back of the Red Sox. That could change. Don't think that home-field advantage in the playoffs doesn't matter.
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