SB Nation Dallas - Rangers Vs. Rockies: Matt Harrison Leaves After Fivehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48887/dallas-fave.png2012-06-24T22:25:30-05:00http://dallas.sbnation.com/rss/stream/28748302012-06-24T22:25:30-05:002012-06-24T22:25:30-05:00Rangers Survive Crazy Ninth For Win
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<p>A fairly quiet game highlighted by young studs stepping up becomes a thrill ride in the final frame.</p> <p></p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 6.24.2012 </span> </th> <th> 1 </th> <th> 2 </th> <th> 3 </th> <th> 4 </th> <th> 5 </th> <th> 6 </th> <th> 7 </th> <th> 8 </th> <th> 9 </th> <th>R</th> <th>H</th> <th>E</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> </span></td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>2</td>
<td class="highlight">2</td>
<td class="highlight">11</td>
<td class="highlight">2</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> </span></td>
<td>0</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>X</td>
<td class="highlight">4</td>
<td class="highlight">9</td>
<td class="highlight">0</td>
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<td colspan="13">WP: <span>Matt Harrison</span> (10 - 3) <br> LP: <span>Alex White</span> (2 - 6)</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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<p><b>Magic Number: </b>85</p>
<p>Sunday's Rangers vs. Rockies game meandered along as a barely noteworthy contest, until <span>Joe Nathan</span> entered and decided we needed some excitement in our lives.</p>
<p>Thanks to Matt Harrison leaving (more on that later), Texas needed the full extent of its bullpen, which meant the normally-dominant closer was pitching the ninth of a four run game. The alternative being <span>Scott Feldman</span>.</p>
<p>Nathan was putrid, while getting no help from umpire Wally Bell, walking the first two hitters he faced, and hitting the third to load the bases without an out. <span>Marco Scutaro</span> lined a single to bring home a run, and in a game where Texas sent one of the best relievers in 2012 to the mound with a four run lead, Colorado suddenly had a win expectancy of nearly one-in-five.</p>
<p>It really got even closer than that against the next hitter. <span>Carlos Gonzalez</span> launched a ball to deep left center that looked for a moment like it was going to give the Rockies the lead on one swing, then looked like it might merely fall in to clear the bases and tie it. Instead, <span>Josh Hamilton</span> saved the game with a brilliant catch at the wall, allowing a run to score to make it 4-2.</p>
<p>Next up was hilarity. Nathan continued to look ugly, with a wild pitch to <span>Jason Giambi</span> allowing runners to advance. <span>Mike Napoli</span> was able to coral the pitch, though, and caught Scutaro in a run down heading to second. <span>Michael Young</span> hesitated too long, though, and Scutaro was safe. Only thing was, Scutaro didn't know he was safe, and <span>Elvis Andrus</span> tagged him as he walked away from the bag.</p>
<p>This thing actually happened. If the ninth inning was a dramatic story, Marco Scutaro served as its comic relief. The Rockies kept Rangers fans on their toes, before one big "nah, just kidding." Giambi struck out, and a game that looked frightening just minutes before was suddenly over.</p>
<p>Outside of Nathan, the pitching was superb. <span>Tanner Scheppers</span> had a great outing in particular, with three swinging strikes on his fastball, two strikeouts, and an impressive curve. <span>Mike Adams</span> and <span>Robbie Ross</span> each had a strikeout in shutout innings.</p>
<p>Matt Harrison looked decent enough, dominating with his combination of two seamer and change up, getting all of his combined nine swinging strikes -- a silly 13% rate for the start -- on the two pitches. He had two walks, but also three strikeouts and no runs allowed. He seems to have found his groove as one of the very best pitchers in 2012, but then the baseball gods continued to punish the Rangers for having a completely healthy rotation in 2011 by kicking Harrison out in the fifth with lower back tightness. Hopefully it is nothing that will last past Sunday, or the Rangers rotation begins to be panic-worthy.</p>
<p>Scheppers and Harrison's good showings were part of a youth movement theme for the evening. The man who came over in the same trade as Harrison, Elvis Andrus, continued his campaign to be named the best shortstop in baseball, getting three hits -- including two hard hit doubles -- and a walk. On the game, Andrus raised his wRC+ to 118 on the season, which would have trailed only <span>Asdrubal Cabrera</span> in the American League going in to the game; but Cabrera does not have Andrus's stellar fielding and base running skills. It is absolutely incredible to see Andrus transforming in to the stellar player we hoped he had the potential to be. While he may not be the shortstop of the future thanks to the talented <span>Jurickson Profar</span>, the present is incredibly fun to watch.</p>
<p>The other part of youth movement night was the (likely [hopefully]) center fielder of the future <span>Leonys Martin</span>. With a double and a triple, he joined Andrus as the only multi-hit Rangers on the night. He had three of the team's four RBIs, and scored the fourth himself. Both players did it in the field, with Andrus making several strong picks and the heads-up tag of Scutaro, and Martin redeeming himself after losing a ball in the sun by running down a fly ball. Just as Elvis growing up is exciting, these flashes of seeing some promise for the future Rangers' outfield are fantastic.</p>
<p>The offense was likely a touch better than the four runs scored suggests, with several hard-hit outs, though the biggest concerns continued to look poor. Josh Hamilton finally managed a single, but <span>Ian Kinsler</span> had three excruciating strikeouts. One more game doesn't make it much more likely that the two are going to be awful for the foreseeable future, but it is one more game that is painful to watch. It goes without saying, but the sooner they snap out of it, the better.</p>
<p>Complaints aside, Texas is up to 17 games over .500. Their run differential is up to +95 while no one else is even at +70. They have a five game lead when no other team has four. They've won another series, and we're all back to feeling okay.</p>
<p>Un-clench.</p>
<h4>CHARTS!</h4>
<p><iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=217629&type=livewins&num=0&h=400&w=550&date=2012-06-24&team=Rangers&dh=0" style="border:1px solid black;" frameborder="0" height="400" scrolling="no" width="550"></iframe><br><i><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2012-06-24&team=Rangers&dh=0&season=2012">FanGraphs</a></span></i></p>
<p><b>Biggest Contributions </b>(What is this?)</p>
<ol>
<li>Matt Harrison 25%</li>
<li>Leonys Martin 21%</li>
<li>Elvis Andrus 12%</li>
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<p><b>Biggest Play: </b>After successfully beating a rundown and advancing on a wild pitch to put runners at second and third with one out in a 4-2 ninth inning, Marco Scutaro thinks he's out and drifts off of second base, getting tagged out by Elvis Andrus (14% win probability added).</p>
<p><b>Wally Bell's Strikezone</b></p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1203677/lhstrikezone.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Lhstrikezone_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1203677/lhstrikezone_medium.png"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1203683/rhstrikezone.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Rhstrikezone_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1203683/rhstrikezone_medium.png"></a> <br id="1340594350413"></p>
<p><i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/zoneTrack.php?month=6&day=24&year=2012&game=gid_2012_06_24_colmlb_texmlb_1%2F&prevDate=624">From Brooks Baseball</a></i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/6/24/3115365/texas-rangers-colorado-rockies-victory-series-harrison-andrus-martin-nathan-recap-analysisRobbie Griffin2012-06-24T21:48:19-05:002012-06-24T21:48:19-05:00Rangers Vs. Rockies Final Score: Matt Harrison Earns 10th Win Of The Year As Texas Defeats Colorado 4-2
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<img alt="Apr 13, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Texas Rangers starting pitcher Matt Harrison (54) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/y3plHfvZ1LjoR6Aq6ZdbKL5fsi4=/0x12:1000x679/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/6469604/20120413_jla_aj5_086.jpg" />
<figcaption>Apr 13, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Texas Rangers starting pitcher Matt Harrison (54) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Matt Harrison wins his 10th game of the season despite pitching only five innings.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> starting pitcher <span>Matt Harrison</span> pitched five scoreless innings in a 4-2 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> to earn his 10th victory of the season. The win for Harrison was his sixth in a row and matched the American Lead lead for wins. He lasted only five innings because of tightness in his lower back that caused soreness in his left hip.</p>
<p>The Rangers offense helped out Harrison by putting up two runs in the second and third inning. Center fielder <span>Leonys Martin</span> put the Rangers on the board first when he knocked in Nelson Cruz on a RBI double.</p>
<p>Shortstop <span>Elvis Andrus</span> came up to the plate next and hit another double which scored Martin, and give the Rangers a 2-0 lead. Then in the third inning, Martin had a triple and put the Rangers up 4-0. That triple caused the Rockies to pull starter <span>Alex White</span>.</p>
<p>The Rockies relief pitching held the Rangers scoreless the rest of the way to give their team a shot. In the top of the ninth inning the Rockies scored a pair of runs of Rangers closer <span>Joe Nathan</span> to make it a 4-2 game, but Nathan pulled it together and closed out the inning to secure the Rangers win.</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: 0px none; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,'Liberation Sans',FreeSans,sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on the Rangers, check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: 0px none; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://lonestarball.com/">Lone Star Ball</a>. Rockies news and notes can be found at <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: 0px none; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://purplerow.com/">Purple Row</a>, and all your MLB news is available at <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px none; outline: 0px none; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
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https://dallas.sbnation.com/2012/6/24/3115366/rangers-rockies-final-score-matt-harrison-winsJeremy Mauss2012-06-24T16:53:13-05:002012-06-24T16:53:13-05:00Rangers Vs. Rockies Starting Lineups Announced For Sunday
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> hope to start a new winning streak on Sunday when they close out interleague play against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a>. The Rangers took Game 1 of the series on Friday 4-1 but saw its seven game win streak snapped on Saturday with an 11-7 defeat. </p>
<p>The Rangers will have its familiar murderers row in the middle of the order with <span>Josh Hamilton</span>, <span>Adrian Beltre</span> and <span>Michael Young</span> hitting third-fifth. </p>
<p>Here is a look at the full lineups for today's series finale between the Texas Rangers and the Colorado Rockies:</p>
<p>Colorado Rockies</p>
<p>1. <span>Eric Young</span> (S) RF<br>2. <span>Marco Scutaro</span> (R) 2B<br>3. <span>Carlos Gonzalez</span> (L) LF<br>4. <span>Jason Giambi</span> (L) DH<br>5. <span>Wilin Rosario</span> (R) C<br>6. <span>Todd Helton</span> (L) 1B<br>7. <span>Jordan Pacheco</span> (R) 3B<br>8. <span>Jonathan Herrera</span> (S) SS<br>9. <span>Dexter Fowler</span> (S) CF</p>
<p>Texas Rangers</p>
<p>1. <span>Ian Kinsler</span> (R) 2B<br>2. <span>Elvis Andrus</span> (R) SS<br>3. Josh Hamilton (L) LF<br>4. Adrian Beltre (R) 3B<br>5. Michael Young (R) 1B<br>6. Nelson Cruz (R) DH<br>7. <span>David Murphy</span> (L) RF<br>8. <span>Mike Napoli</span> (R) C<br>9. <span>Leonys Martin</span> (L) CF</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on the Rangers, check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://lonestarball.com/">Lone Star Ball</a>. Rockies news and notes can be found at <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://purplerow.com/">Purple Row</a>, and all your MLB news is available at <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/6/24/3114973/rangers-vs-rockies-starting-lineups-announced-for-sundayKris Willis2012-06-24T07:43:49-05:002012-06-24T07:43:49-05:00Rangers Vs. Rockies Time, TV, Radio Info And More
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> will try to start a new winning streak on Sunday as they go for another interleague series win against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a>. Texas saw its seven game winning streak snapped with an 11-7 loss on Saturday. The Rangers will send <span>Matt Harrison</span> to the mound in search of his 10th win of the season in the series finale. </p>
<p>Harrison is 9-3 on the season with a 3.41 ERA. He has been scorching of late going 5-0 with a 1.43 ERA in his last six starts. The Rockies will counter with <span>Alex White</span> who is trying to snap a personal two game losing streak. White is 2-5 on the season with a 6.06 ERA and allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> last time out. </p>
<p><b>Game Date/Time: </b>Sunday, June 24, 6:05 p.m. CT</p>
<p><b>Location:</b> Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas</p>
<p><b>TV:</b> Fox Sports Southwest</p>
<p><b>Radio:</b> 103.3 ESPN</p>
<p><b>Online Streaming:</b> MLB.tv</p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: transparent;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">For more on the Rangers, check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://lonestarball.com/">Lone Star Ball</a>. Rockies news and notes can be found at <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://purplerow.com/">Purple Row</a>, and all your MLB news is available at <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
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https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/6/24/3114170/rangers-vs-rockies-time-tv-radio-info-and-moreKris Willis2012-06-23T18:15:44-05:002012-06-23T18:15:44-05:00Rangers Vs. Rockies Final Score: Texas' Winning Streak Comes To An End, Lose 11-7 To Colorado
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> seven-game winning streak was snapped as they fell 11-7 to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> on Saturday afternoon. The Rockies got to Rangers starter <span>Colby Lewis</span> as they knocked him out after only four innings of the work. Lewis was tagged with 11 hits and eight runs with seven of those earned, and the majority of the damage was done in the third and fourth innings. Lewis left the game with the Rangers trailing 8-1.</p>
<p><span>Michael Kirkman</span> came in for relief of Lewis, but he did not fair any better as he allowed two home runs for three runs which put the Rangers down 11-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning.</p>
<p>The Rangers offense came back in the bottom of the fifth as they were able to score six runs. Fours of those runs were off of starter <span>Josh Outman</span> which include a three-run home run by Nelson Cruz. The Rangers were able to score a pair of runs off of <span>Adam Ottavino</span> who came into relieve Outman, but that would be the last of their offense.</p>
<p>Form that point on neither team scored any runs and the Rangers were only able to manage four hits over the final four innings, an were unable to be in a position to comeback.</p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: transparent;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">For more on the Rangers, check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://lonestarball.com/">Lone Star Ball</a>. Rockies news and notes can be found at <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://purplerow.com/">Purple Row</a>, and all your MLB news is available at <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
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https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/6/23/3113530/rangers-rockies-final-scoreJeremy Mauss2012-06-23T13:17:08-05:002012-06-23T13:17:08-05:00Rangers Vs. Rockies: Saturday Lineups
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<p>No, <span>Roy Oswalt</span> won't make his Rangers debut like he did on Friday night, but the Rangers are still worth watching on Saturday, as they play host to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> in the second game of a three-game interleague series.</p>
<p><span>Colby Lewis</span> gets the nod for the Rangers, as he looks to improve upon his 3.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He'll be opposed by <span>Josh Outman</span>, who has struggled mightily for the Rockies, with an 0-3 record to go along with an 8.41 ERA.</p>
<p>Both Ron Washington and Jim Tracy have announced the starting lineups for Saturday's game, and they are as follows:</p>
<h5>Colorado Rockies</h5>
<p>SS <span>Jonathan Herrera</span><br>3B <span>Jordan Pacheco</span><br>LF <span>Carlos Gonzalez</span><br>DH <span>Jason Giambi</span><br>1B <span>Michael Cuddyer</span><br>RF <span>Tyler Colvin</span><br>2B <span>Chris Nelson</span><br> C <span>Wil Nieves</span><br>CF <span>Dexter Fowler</span></p>
<p>SP Josh Outman</p>
<h5><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a></h5>
<p>2B <span>Ian Kinsler</span><br>SS <span>Elvis Andrus</span><br>LF <span>Josh Hamilton</span><br>3B <span>Adrian Beltre</span><br>DH <span>Michael Young</span><br>RF Nelson Cruz<br>1B <span>Mike Napoli</span><br> C <span>Yorvit Torrealba</span><br>CF <span>Craig Gentry</span></p>
<p>SP Colby Lewis</p>
<p>Once again, Michael Young is serving as the designated hitter, and batting ahead of Nelson Cruz and Mike Napoli. Hopefully, this won't come back to bite Ron Washington in the behind today.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Rangers, be sure to check out <a href="http://www.lonestarball.com" target="_blank">Lone Star Ball and join the discussion</a>.</i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/6/23/3113114/rangers-vs-rockies-saturday-lineups-colby-lewis-josh-outmanJP Starkey2012-06-23T08:00:17-05:002012-06-23T08:00:17-05:00Roy Oswalt Dazzles In Rangers Debut
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<img alt="Jun 22, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Roy Oswalt (44) pitches in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Rangers Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zA4fTt0tKa6MH7FjQ522tokW2_k=/0x0:1000x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/7555330/20120622_mje_se2_1025.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jun 22, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Roy Oswalt (44) pitches in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Rangers Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The former Houston Astros ace pounded the strike zone with superb command in his first start as a Texas Ranger.</p> <p><span>Roy Oswalt's</span> debut was better than any <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rangers</a> fan could have rationally hoped for. After not having pitched in a Major League game since October of last year, Oswalt's performance was sharp as could be, earning him his first win of the season.</p>
<p>Physically, Oswalt looked great. He threw 110 pitches on a hot Texas night and his fastball remained solidly at 91-93mph throughout the game. Oswalt was able to command every one of his pitches and worked both sides of the plate like he hadn't missed a beat.</p>
<p>His final line was 6 2/3 innings pitched, allowing one earned run on nine hits with six strikeouts and only one walk. But those numbers don't quite do his start justice.</p>
<p>Looking inside the numbers, Rangers fans (and management) should be very, very pleased with Oswalt's outing. Of his 110 pitches, a ridiculous 81 were strikes. The ideal benchmark is a 2:1 strike to ball ratio, 66.6% strikes. Oswalt was well above that with a 73.6 strike percentage.</p>
<p>And even more ridiculous was the fact that Oswalt got ahead of 14 Colorado hitters 0-2. He only fell behind 2-0 to one batter and only had two 3-ball counts. Getting ahead of batters is the single-most important goal for pitchers. Doing so keeps hitters off balance and almost guarantees success on the mound.</p>
<p>Command and endurance are probably the two biggest concerns one might have for a pitcher coming back from an extended absence such as Oswalt's. In other words, rust. But Oswalt definitely hushed those worries Friday night and looked as if he was right in mid-season form.</p>
<p>Fans shouldn't expect Oswalt to have numbers quite these good for every start, but if he continues to throw strikes at a high rate and can pitch deep into ball games, he'll definitely have continued success going forward.</p>
<p>Oswalt may prove to be the shot in the arm our injury-plagued pitching staff desperately needs. He's a proven veteran pitcher with postseason experience. If he continues to pitch at or around this level, the Rangers may not need to go shopping around the trade deadline. Or at the very least, won't have to be big spenders.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/6/23/3111714/roy-oswalt-texas-rangers-debutJohn Stathas2012-06-23T07:57:55-05:002012-06-23T07:57:55-05:00Texas Rangers Vs. Colorado Rockies: Saturday Preview, TV Schedule And More
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<p>The hottest team in baseball? That would be the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a>, who are taking a seven-game winning streak into Saturday's action, as the Rangers continue a three-game series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a>.</p>
<p>On Friday night, Texas' winning streak was extended to seven, as <span>Roy Oswalt</span> picked up a win, and pitched effectively doing so, in his Rangers debut. </p>
<p>Though he might not have the star power in his name that Oswalt has, <span>Colby Lewis</span> gets the nod on Saturday -- and he's every bit as important to Texas' success as Oswalt is. Lewis brings a 6-5 record into Saturday's tilt, to go along with a 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and .231 BAA. Lewis has walked only 12 batters in 96 innings, and has struck out 84 on the year. </p>
<p>Lewis, though, has given up 15 homers this year, continuing his trend of being prone to surrendering the long ball.</p>
<p>Texas' offense will face off against <span>Josh Outman</span> -- who has not pitched effectively this year. Outman has made 12 appearances, including four starts, totaling 20.1 innings on the season. Outman carries an 0-3 record to go along with an 8.41 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and .293 BAA into Saturday's contest. </p>
<p>First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. CT at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Televised coverage can be found on FOX Sports Southwest.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Rangers, be sure to check out <a href="http://www.lonestarball.com" target="_blank">Lone Star Ball and join the discussion</a>.</i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/6/23/3112490/texas-rangers-vs-colorado-rockies-saturday-preview-tv-schedule-andJP Starkey