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The Tiniest of EsThere are moments that bestow grace on all the mistakes and blunders.
Elvis Andrus' single and subsequent taking of second base after an errant cutoff had to put a smile on every Rangers fan's face. After playing into Tony LaRussa's hands for 17 straight innings and Ron Washington getting completely pantsed for this entire series, the Rangers get back to what won them 96 games and another seven games to get them to this point.
Ian Kinsler gets contact off Jason Motte and his bloop falls to put him on first. Kinsler takes off as Andrus is "attempting" to bunt. Kinsler narrowly beats out the throw, a dart from Yadier Molina.
Then Andrus' hit. Opposite field. Professional as shit, cool as a cucumber.
A pair of sacrifice flies later, it's 2-1 and Neftali Feliz nails it down.
2-1. Series at 1-1 going to Arlington. Series on.
Andrus' insanely great play bailed out several Texas Rangers. Here's who:
Michael Young
Allen Craig continuing to own Alexi Ogando is only an issue for one reason: Mike Young's awful defense. The Rangers need to get to the Ballpark as soon as possible in order to get Young back at designated hitter and Mitch Moreland back at first. The inning started with Colby Lewis sandwiched a Dave Freese single between two outs with the No. 8 hitter, Nick Punto, up to bat. Lewis gets Punto to ground relatively close to Young at first, a hot shot, but something that any capable first baseman makes.
It eats Young's lunch and dinner, runners at the corners with Craig coming. It frankly reminded me of last season watching Young toro a number of groundballs at third base. Sad fact is is that you need his bat in the line-up and in the National League park, the only way is to put him at first. He's a huge liability.
Ron Washington
Speaking of deja vu, if Ron Washington didn't go out and make the same dumb moves as he did last night. Andrus changed the game out of pure will and ability. Nothing can change Washington making the same in-game flubs as the night before. Again, he pulled the starter, I thought, a little too early, put Ogando up against a guy that his his number, gives up the tie, forces Ogando to get one out before getting pulled in the top half of the next inning because he came to bat.
So, we have, arguably, one of our best bullpen arms throwing to two batters. Our starter, who was cruising, on the bench. And a carousel of pinch hitters the next half inning.
Speaking of, why Dave Murphy isn't getting a chance to swing his hot bat is stupefying. Then announcing him, allowing LaRussa to make a change and then yanking Murph back and losing him for the game. What an idiotic set of decisions. Then, Wash finally puts Yorvit Torrealba in to bat. He strikes out, urging every asshole on Twitter to say that Wash was right for not pinch-hitting Torrealba. Just because both guys sucked doesn't make either a right move. They both sucked. And Esteban German. Who's running this team.
Wash is not managing within his ability. He's attempting to outsmart LaRussa, and it's not working.
Now, let's look at a couple of "forgotten" players:
Colby Lewis
Phenomenal. Pounding the strike zone. Making the pitches. Not letting the Cards get a hold of one. The best start of the Rangers' post-season, by a million miles. Exactly what the Rangers needed. At worst, we see him again in game 6 or 7. In 44 career post-season innings: 4-1, 2.22 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 40 Ks and 19 BBs.
The Defense
Adrian Beltre, Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus all had great to spectacular. Beltre is a vacuum at third base. Andrus put on a clinic at shortstop and KInsler showed his range at second. While fielding shot the Cardinals' wheels off tonight, it was defense that saved the Rangers' night. I would imagine defense alone saved, at least, two runs (if you project some of those going for hits) and probably 40 or so pitches from Lewis and the bullpen.
Neftali Feliz
He's 23 and his post-season resume is sparkling: 1.13 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. In 11.1 innings in the ALCS and World Series, he's not allowed a run, struck out 14 and allowed two hits. You watch him last night, especially against the bottom of the Cardinals order, and you know those guys, as good as they might be, have no shot at catching up to his fastball. Add the movement and it's impossible. Poor little Nick Punto trying to bunt. After the second failed attempt, he just looked at the third-base coach and shrugged. Like, "What the fuck am I supposed to do trying to bunt a 100 mph fastball going six ways to Sunday?"
Ian Kinsler
We shouldn't forget what a fantastic Series Kinsler is having. He's hitting .571 and has gotten on base 62 percent of the time. On the road. The Rangers play another three games in Arlington where he rakes. He's a career .307 post-season hitter with 16 walks and just 12 strikeouts. This post-season, he has nine RBI and nine runs. Brilliant.
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