C.J. Wilson, Rangers Drop Another Game To Blue Jays

It was an exciting weekend on the trade front for the Rangers, but outside of a dominating performance from Derek Holland, the product on the field was anything but exciting. The Rangers posted a lineup filled with bench players and call-ups, as Elvis Andrus, Nelson Cruz, Ian Kinsler and Yorvit Torrealba joined Adrian Beltre on the bench and Endy Chavez, Omar Quintanilla, Taylor Teagarden and Andres Blanco combined for a 1-16 day in the Rangers’ 7-3 loss Sunday in Toronto.

C.J. Wilson didn’t help matters by lasting just 3.2 innings and allowing seven hits, three walks and seven runs (five earned). Just 44 of his 86 pitches were strikes. The Rangers’ evolving bullpen was perfect in 4.1 innings, including an electric eight-pitch seventh inning by import Koji Uehara in which he struck out Rajai Davis and Jose Bautista.

The remaining core of the lineup did do their part, as Josh Hamilton, Michael Young and Mike Napoli hit in the 3-4-5 spots, went 6-12, and scored and drove in all three runs. The Rangers will take Monday off to try to rejuvenate their fatigued and injured before starting their true stretch run Tuesday in Detroit.

Their lead in the division did stay at two games thanks to a near no-hitter by Justin Verlander, who outdueled Jered Weaver. Weaver was ejected from the game for throwing at Alex Avila’s head immediately after being warned by home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt and could face a short suspension.

C.J. Wilson, Rangers Drop Another Game To Blue Jays

It was an exciting weekend on the trade front for the Rangers, but outside of a dominating performance from Derek Holland, the product on the field was anything but exciting. The Rangers posted a lineup filled with bench players and call-ups, as Elvis Andrus, Nelson Cruz, Ian Kinsler and Yorvit Torrealba joined Adrian Beltre on the bench and Endy Chavez, Omar Quintanilla, Taylor Teagarden and Andres Blanco combined for a 1-16 day in the Rangers’ 7-3 loss Sunday in Toronto.

C.J. Wilson didn’t help matters by lasting just 3.2 innings and allowing seven hits, three walks and seven runs (five earned). Just 44 of his 86 pitches were strikes. The Rangers’ evolving bullpen was perfect in 4.1 innings, including an electric eight-pitch seventh inning by import Koji Uehara in which he struck out Rajai Davis and Jose Bautista.

The remaining core of the lineup did do their part, as Josh Hamilton, Michael Young and Mike Napoli hit in the 3-4-5 spots, went 6-12, and scored and drove in all three runs. The Rangers will take Monday off to try to rejuvenate their fatigued and injured before starting their true stretch run Tuesday in Detroit.

Their lead in the division did stay at two games thanks to a near no-hitter by Justin Verlander, who outdueled Jered Weaver. Weaver was ejected from the game for throwing at Alex Avila’s head immediately after being warned by home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt and could face a short suspension.

Rangers Head To Toronto As Trade Deadline Looms

Major League Baseball's trading deadline is this coming Sunday, and the Texas Rangers will be in Canada taking on the Toronto Blue Jays when it comes. On Friday, though, they'll be taking the field in the Rogers Centre as rumors swirl about acquiring a reliever as Alexi Ogando takes the mound to take on Brett Cecil of the Blue Jays.

Ogando will look to earn his 11th win of the season on Friday night. The righty's record currently sits at 10-4 with a 2.79 ERA, .213 BAA and 1.02 WHIP. Ogando has issued just 28 walks in 119.1 innings as well, while striking out 89 batters. 

Ogando's last start came at home in Arlington against the Blue Jays. Ogando was hung with the loss after pitching 6.2 innings, giving up three runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out six. Texas went on to lose the game 3-0.

There will be a new threat in Toronto's lineup on Friday that Ogando didn't have to face last week - Colby Rasmus. The Blue Jays acquired Rasmus in a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals earlier this week, trading away Edwin Jackson (who had been acquired from the White Sox earlier that day), Marc Rzepczynski, Octavio Dotel and Corey Patterson to acquire the centerfielder along with Brian Tallet and P.J. Walters. 

First pitch is scheduled for 6:07 p.m. CDT.