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Claw me The dropped the claw and they dropped the antler.
Two corny taglines from last year's team that was unabashedly adopted by a bunch of dorky fans.
What the Rangers haven't done a lot of in the ALCS was grind at-bats, get on base, steal bases, drive the ball to the alleys, go from first to third, second to home. Move the goddamned puck.
Tonight, the Rangers showed the country who the better was and showed the Detroit Tigers exactly how playoff series are won, 7-3.
I don't know where to begin, so I'll dive in.
Nelson Cruz
What more can you say? Ten post-season homers and 20 RBI in 24 games. His fourth home run of the ALCS and nine RBI. Add on his absolute rocket that had Miggue Cabrera out at home in the eighth inning. I said it four games ago: Nelson Cruz was the main key to this Rangers offense. He's answered the call. Fucking brilliant. A beast.
Neftali Feliz
Turning into a pretty salty post-season character. In 14 playoff innings, he's allowed two runs. Both have come in divisional series.
Dave Murphy
For all intents and purposes, Murphy is a starting outfielder for this team. If you want to sit him against a lefty, fine. Otherwise, I'm OK with not seeing Endy Chavez again this season outside of a pinch-running situation.
Matt Harrison
This post-season, as starter: 10 IP - 8 hits - 5 ER - 0 HR - 5 BBs - 12 Ks. I realize what he did tonight was not exceptional and will not garner any credit or attention and I'll be OK with that. Still, he gets you to the bullpen without giving up the game and allowing your offense to work without having to hit that elusive five-run homer. Remember, he's the No. 4 starter.
Mike Napoli
Very underrated game. Called a great game again. Absolutely nailed Austin Jackson in the bottom of the 10th stealing second with a perfect throw disallowing Miguel Cabrera from coming to the plate that inning, more or less with anyone on. Add in the great play on Cruz' throw blocking the plate, getting the ball and taking the force of Cabrera running you over. Second time he's done this post-season. Also, add in his grinding at-bats and the game-winning single in the 11th. A fucking complete game from that dude.
Mike Young
Another undesirable game. Still, his single in the sixth to score Elvis Andrus made a difference. Maybe the wheels aren't entirely back on, but he's still dangerous.
The Sixth Inning
You want a protypical claw-antler Rangers inning? Try the sixth. Dave Murphy singles to start the inning. After Yorvit Torrealba pop out, Ian Kinsler smacks a smoking line-drive into the left-field corner for a double. (Claw.) Murphy scores from first. (Antler.) Ian Kinsler steals third. (Antler.) Elvis Andrus nubs a single into shallow right field. Kinsler scores. Andrus is at first and is damn-near picked off by Rick Porcello. There are at least two attempts. On the third, Porcello's throw nails Andrus in the ass and the ball rolls into the Rangers dugout. (Antler, or the idea of Antler.) Young singles in Andrus for the third run. (Claw.) That, friends, will win you games.
The Bullpen
Can't laud them enough. Alexi Ogando, Darren Oliver and Mike Adams were fantastic. Scott Feldman continues his brilliance. Right, Ron Washington has faith in Ogando, Oliver, Adams, Feliz and Feldman. Good enough to get you wins against any team. Potential for seven innings of pretty good relief.
One win. Just grind. Throw strikes. Toss and catch. Go first to third. Second to home.
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