I simply cannot figure out why we are SO terrible with Runners in Scoring Position.  Why are we incapable of putting the ball in play?  Man on third, one out, and we can't even hit the ball out of the infield?  I know having Hamilton out means we don't see pitches which are quite as good, but come ON.

Still, it pays to remember that this is a "free" year.  We weren't supposed to be this good, and if we can remain in contention for the division and give our younger players at least a taste of playoff experience, that's saying ...<< MORE >>

So the Rangers will finish in second place in the division, and Ron Wahsington says they have accomplished something.

Actually, in my mind, they have.

You have to keep this team in perspective.  Injuries decimated them.  The bullpen was half worn-out and half deplorable.  We saw a revolving door of starters come trough because of the injury situation.  Fielding, at times, was miserable.

And in many ways, 50% or more of the team we put out there was a AAA team in disguise.

But the Rangers were not terrible.  They were just not especially good either.  I hoped for .500 this season and while ...<< MORE >>

This bullpen is causing me to lose a pint of blood an hour.  Thank goodness these games mean nothing...at least the more we lose, the better draft pick we get.  And the starting pitching is picking up, which gives me hope for next year. ...<< MORE >>

...does anybody know what the record is for most balks in a season by a team in the modern baseball era?
...<< MORE >>

4 runs in the first, and we could have gotten more, but Ellison is still looking for his first hit.  Waters was a marvel in his first start, but his AAA numbers don't support that.  So jump all over him, drive him out of the game quick, and make the O's go to their bullpen.

Meanwhile, this gives Harrison the extra confidence me needs (or can use, anyway) to go right at the Orioles hitters.  He doesn't need to fear that giving up two runs in 6 innings will be too much.  When the pitching believes in the offense, everything starts ...<< MORE >>

...when you can't get a hit.

Padilla clearly didn't have his good stuff tonight, but 4 hits in 7 innings simply will not cut it.  I don't blame Washington for putting Benoit out there down 7-0...and we see Benoit still has his big bag of 2008 nothing (what HAPPENED to this guy, where is the 2007 Benoit?) - 2 walks and a homer in one inning.  Sweet.

A 4-game losing streak is not what we needed.  But that's what we have.  Still, I think we made the right move by not making any trades.  We can deal a catcher in the off-season.  ...<< MORE >>

This is what happens when your potent lineup loses Murphy and Bradley...you get bases loaded with one out, and can't even hit the ball out of the infield.  Welcome to April. ...<< MORE >>

That's not a bad thing.  At the beginning of the year I would have been VERY happy with .500 ball.  And that's what we can probably expect from this team.  Why?  Aside from the clock ticking, there is the impossibility of catching the Yanks, Red Sox, AND Minnesota (maybe one, but not all three).  To do that, the team needs to put together a 7 or 8 game win streak, and we simply can't manage that this year.  The reasons?

1. Injuries.  They have killed us.  Murphy's absence has completely killed this lineup.  The chemistry and energy is gone.  Bradley hasn't ...<< MORE >>

That was some sweet comback.  David Murphy blows it twice with the bases loaded the night before, but Washington (and the team) have got the right attitude for the younger players.  You'll always have bad nights.  Believe in yourself, learn from your mistakes, and you'll do well.  So what happens?  Murphy is the hero tonight.  I still can't believe that after the first intentional walk to get to Murphy blew up in ther faces, they tried it a second time with the game on the line.  Oh well, live and learn!

Boggs played like he was playing for his life.  What ...<< MORE >>

No excuses from me...I'm sorry I haven't posted during the last two games.  Just too busy, and my wife has the flu.  I'll try to do better.

Also no excuses for the Rangers last night.  They had FAR too many chances with runners in scoring position. Yes, it sucks that Hand and Michael were out.  Yes, Vasquez probably beat the tag on that pick-off.  But there is NO EXCUSE for leaving so many runners on base, and NO EXCUSE for getting picked off in that situation.  Whether he made it back or not, he shouldn't have been that far out there.

I'm hoping ...<< MORE >>