Los Angeles Angels slam the Texas Rangers with a record losing season (Part 4 Final)
The game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers was supposed to deliver a message to the fans and both ball clubs had their own interpretations. On paper, there was only a loss and a win. For each team, those two
possibilities mean different things. The fact that this was going to be the final ball game of the 2010 season mattered a lot to the fans and the game analysts alike. The outcome of the bout rested wholly in the determination of the players. For the two teams,
this meant going to the forum on a right note. Only one team could come out as the victor and as the fixture concluded in front of the 45,446 fans in the stands of the Rangers Ballpark, the visitors walked off the field with a 6 – 2 victory over the West Leaders.
One of the reasons for the Rangers’ defeat in the game was attributed to the skilful pitching ability of Dan Haren. The experienced player took some good knocks from the Texas hitters but that eventually didn’t matter as the maestro
got the job done for the team in style. The 30 year old walked off with the 12thvictory on the cards. His Earning Runs Average exacted 2.87 for the season when he got done with his pitching duties. He threw the ball 87 times and took out just 3
hitters in the process. He further allowed 2 runs off 7 hits in 6 innings. At the end of the match, he added a few words; "It was a weird year for me. I came here with a fresh start. Obviously we would have liked to finish better. But I threw the ball well
and showed the club what I was capable of."
For the Rangers’ Colby Lewis, the game was an unjust testament to his struggle. The 31 year old player was unlucky in his time and many believed he pitched well into the 5th inning, only conceding a home run off Hideki
Matsui’s bat. The right arm ball thrower was at the apex of his form when he went to the game but ending his game before the Angels flexed their shoulders saved him from another probable defeat. The ace man pitched 66 times and struck out 4 hitters off the
batting plate. Unfortunately, the Earning Runs Average didn’t improve as his tally went down to 3.72. He allowed 2 runs from a homer and allowed 2 walks in 5 innings.
The match may have ended for the Angels in a win but their long season objective of defeating their fears for a worst league run on losses was met with failure. That was an outcome that could not have been resisted in this game.
They had to win to prove their mettle and they did just that. Their winning chances were as good as anyone else’s. There was nothing that could hinder their resolve and their victory provided the league’s teams and the fans a message: If they are in the right
frame of mind, they can beat anyone.
While the Angels had a point to make, the Rangers wanted to win the match to prove they were going to be a hard team to topple in the league. Unfortunately, they did not achieve that objective but they did get Josh Hamilton out
on the field. He was crowned the batting champion with a .359 average at the end of the game. He will be an important asset in the fight for the World Series Title. He ended the night with a statement: It was a good test. I jumped back in there a lot quicker
than I probably would have normally. But it's that time of the year. It's a good time of the year knowing you're going to keep playing into October. You might feel a little better just for the excitement and the adrenaline that's going to be flowing by time
we get into the first round."
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