Injury stricken Evan Longoria aides the Rays in the Rangers’ annihilation (Part 1)
When it comes to the Rangers Ballpark, there has not been a single home team win in that stadium since the ball club managed to make it to the playoffs. For what it’s worth, Sunday’s game was short of anything disturbing. The post
season is well under way and with last Wednesday being the day the new campaign for the World Series began, there is much to be fought for in Major League Baseball. The title bid is reaching a new phase and with the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees
through to the next stage, there is just room for two more clubs to go through.
The Texas Rangers were hosting the Tampa Bay Rays at home on Sunday and much was on stake. With a game keeping the team from clinching the spot in the next round of the playoffs, they engaged the visitors in their 4th fixture
of the series. Much to the delight of the 49,218 fans in the stands in Arlington the match epitomized the anticipation brought on by the supporters. The Florida based outfit had topped their division to make it to the finals so the contest was always going
to be difficult for the home team.
The Rays were 2 – 0 down in the series when they faced off against the Rangers at their home ground. The slump in form was an astounding reality to fathom with the players reeling heavily from the two prior defeats. It took a marvel
display from Carlos Pena in game 3 to make the ball club take back some of their pride; they had lost on the park in front of their home crowd in the Tropicana Field. There was a chance to even the tally on games yesterday and there was a lot of pressure leading
up to the encounter. Texas needed a game to go through and they were the favourites to begin the bout on Day 4.
The Rangers were happy about their overall performance in the playoffs. They won two and lost their 3rd game against Rays. With one victory to go, Ron Washington was focused on the squad’s outlook and he took great care
of getting the squad pumped up. The side had not won one post season match at home in 5 outings. Fans were hoping for a different result yesterday as they flocked in to see their favourite stars on the pitch.
Tommy Hunter started the pitching duties for Texas yesterday and he came in with a good statistical view on his performance. With 13 wins and 4 losses in 22 game starts, the player was a deserving ball thrower to start things off
on the mound. With two years of experience, it could be said that the young 24 year old has a good future lying in front of him. It still has to be how his form proves that in the coming days. His Earning Runs Average of 3.73 was a figure most Texas players
would have mentally adjusted in their minds, going out against their rivals.
Wade Davis was the ball thrower to start off for Tampa Bay and his inclusion in the side was looked on upon as a strategically safe pick by manager Joe Maddon. The 25 year old carried a modest Earning Runs Average of 4.07 in the
normal season league and the figure was good enough to put the squad players at an advantage.
He played 29 games, through which he recorded12 wins and 10 losses. Giving the home grown ball thrower a chance at the playoffs was a brilliant decision from the manager. It only could have been avoided if his display during the
2010 season wasn’t effective and comforting for the squad.
With the teams decided on the starting pitchers, the match began and the two mammoths clashed at the Rangers Ballpark for the 4thtime in the playoff series.
Tags: