SB Nation Dallas - Rangers Vs. Blue Jays: Young Hits Home Run In Winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48887/dallas-fave.png2012-08-19T18:42:04-05:00http://dallas.sbnation.com/rss/stream/30140122012-08-19T18:42:04-05:002012-08-19T18:42:04-05:002012 MLB Standings: Angels Sliding In AL West Race
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a> have taken a five-game lead in the American League West following a series win over the <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Blue Jays</a>, while the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Angels</a> of Anaheim are now nine games back after being swept by the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a>.</p>
<p>The 70-50 Rangers didn't have the greatest road trip, as they lost three of four to the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a> before recovering in Toronto. However, their lead over the Angels increased by three games due to an all-out collapse by the Halos (now 62-60) during a homestand which saw them go 3-7.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> (65-55) have held their ground, staying in second place in the division after their sweep of the <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Indians</a> at home. They went 2-4 on their road trip before that, but didn't lose ground due to the subpar play of their divisional rivals.</p>
<p>Due to the Angels' free-fall, the <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Mariners</a> sit just four games behind third place in the division, at 58-64. They are 13 games behind the first-place Rangers.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Texas Rangers, be sure to visit <a href="http://www.lonestarball.com" target="_blank">Lone Star Ball</a>. Further MLB coverage can be found at<a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com" target="_blank"> Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL6969C40420638137&hl=en_US"></iframe></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/8/19/3254214/2012-mlb-standings-al-west-texas-rangers-los-angeles-angelsBryan Kilpatrick2012-08-19T16:12:11-05:002012-08-19T16:12:11-05:00Rangers Vs. Blue Jays: Texas Wins 11-2
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Michael Young hit a three-run homer and had five RBIs for the Texas Rangers in an 11-2 rout over the Toronto Blue Jays.</p>
<p>Young snapped a career-long 88-game drought between home runs. His last homer came May 7 in a win at Baltimore.</p>
<p>Rangers starter Matt Harrison (14-7) allowed two runs and two hits, struck out seven and walked one to match his career high for wins which he set last year.</p>
<p>Daniel Murphy stood out with a homer and a two-run double. Geovany Soto added three hits for Texas. The Rangers offense continues to dominate, as they are the first team to pass 600 runs on the season. Texas's 19 hits fell just short of their season-high 21 on April 17 in Boston.</p>
<p>The Rangers will host the Baltimore Orioles for a three game series beginning Monday, Aug. 20.</p>
<p><br><i>For more on the Rangers, head over to <a href="http://www.lonestarball.com/" target="_blank">Lone Star Ball.</a> For the Blue Jays perspective, check out <a href="http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Bluebird Banter</a>.</i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/8/19/3253956/rangers-vs-blue-jays-final-score-recapJer_Smith2012-08-19T08:26:16-05:002012-08-19T08:26:16-05:00Rangers Vs. Blue Jays: Texas Looks to Win Series Behind Matt Harrison
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a> will be playing for a series win over the <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Blue Jays</a> in Sunday's game, the final in a three-game set. The teams split the first two contests, with Toronto winning Friday's game 3-2 and the Rangers taking Saturday's contest 2-1.</p>
<p><span>Matt Harrison</span> (13-7, 3.24 ERA) will take the hill for Texas this afternoon. The 2012 All-Star southpaw is coming off a solid performance (6 1/3 IP, 1 ER) in his last start, against the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Yankees</a>. He struggled in his only previous 2012 start against Toronto, going just 3 1/3 innings and giving up eight earned runs on eight hits.</p>
<p>Toronto will counter with <span>Henderson Alvarez</span>, who is 7-10 on the season, with a 4.48 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. Alvarez has lost his last three starts, and took a no decision in his only other start this season against the Rangers after giving up four earned runs in 5 2/3 innings on May 26.</p>
<p>First pitch is scheduled for 12:07 Central, with coverage on Fox Sports Southwest.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Rangers, head over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lonestarball.com/">Lone Star Ball.</a> For the Blue Jays perspective, check out <a href="http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Bluebird Banter</a>.</i></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a title="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube" href="http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=sbnation"><img alt="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'SBN YouTube Integration', 'HTML Article Insert - Grey']);" src="http://assets.sbnation.com.s3.amazonaws.com/youtube/youtube-article-insert.png"></a></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/8/19/3253231/rangers-vs-blue-jays-texas-looks-to-win-series-behind-matt-harrisonPatrick Vint2012-08-18T15:16:58-05:002012-08-18T15:16:58-05:00Rangers Vs. Blue Jays Final Score: Nelson Cruz Homers, Texas Wins 2-1
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Nelson Cruz provided all of the offense with a two-run, fifth-inning home run, his 19th of the year, as the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a> edged out the <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blue Jays</a> Saturday, 2-1.</p>
<p>Starter <span>Roy Oswalt</span>, filling in for the recently acquired <span>Ryan Dempster</span>, was shaky, with two walks and a balk. However, he allowed only one earned run, a line-drive single by third baseman <span>Adeiny Hechavarria</span>.</p>
<p>The Blue Jays attempted to get something going with stolen bases from <span>Rajai Davis</span> and <span>Anthony Gose</span>, but couldn't quite catch up to the Rangers, who needed six pitchers to seal the deal. Rangers closer <span>Joe Nathan</span> locked down his 24th save of the year with a clean inning that included two strikeouts.</p>
<p>With today's win the Rangers lead the series in Toronto, and also lead the Athletics in the AL West by 5.5 games.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Rangers, stick with </i><a href="http://dallas.sbnation.com/"><i>SBN Dallas</i></a><i> and also check out <a href="http://www.lonestarball.com/" target="_blank">Lone Star Ball</a>. </i></p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PL6969C40420638137&hl=en_US"></iframe></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/8/18/3252185/blue-jays-vs-rangers-final-score-nelson-cruz-home-runAllison Hagen2012-08-18T11:22:42-05:002012-08-18T11:22:42-05:00Rangers Vs. Blue Jays: Saturday's Starting Lineups Unveiled
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> will look to rebound from their 3-2 defeat Friday to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a> as they send <span>Roy Oswalt</span> to the mound to face off against <span>Carlos Villanueva</span>. <span>Luis Martinez</span> will start behind the plate in place of <span>Geovany Soto</span> for the Rangers, and Nelson Cruz is back to his usual No. 5 spot in the lineup. </p>
<p><b>Texas Rangers Starting Lineups</b></p>
<p>1. <span>Ian Kinsler</span> (R) 2B<br>2. <span>Michael Young</span> (R) SS<br>3. <span>Josh Hamilton</span> (L) LF<br>4. <span>Adrian Beltre</span> (R) 3B<br>5. Nelson Cruz (R) DH<br>6. <span>David Murphy</span> (L) RF<br>7. <span>Mitch Moreland</span> (L) 1B<br>8. <span>Craig Gentry</span> (R) CF<br>9. Luis Martinez (R) C</p>
<p><b>Toronto Blue Jays Starting Lineups</b></p>
<p>1. <span>Rajai Davis</span> (R) LF<br>2. <span>Colby Rasmus</span> (L) CF<br>3. <span>Edwin Encarnacion</span> (R) DH<br>4. <span>David Cooper</span> (L) 1B<br>5. <span>Yunel Escobar</span> (R) SS<br>6. <span>Kelly Johnson</span> (L) 2B<br>7. <span>Jeff Mathis</span> (R) C<br>8. <span>Anthony Gose</span> (L) RF<br>9. <span>Adeiny Hechavarria</span> (R) 3B</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on the Rangers, head over to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="http://www.lonestarball.com/">Lone Star Ball.</a> For the Blue Jays perspective, check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Bluebird Banter</a>.</i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/8/18/3251828/rangers-vs-blue-jays-saturdays-starting-lineups-unveiledEddie Maisonet2012-08-18T07:31:03-05:002012-08-18T07:31:03-05:00Rangers Vs. Blue Jays: Texas Looks To Bounce Back With Roy Oswalt On The Mound
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a> resume their weekend series with the <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Blue Jays</a> on Saturday afternoon at the Rogers Centre.</p>
<p>Veteran right-hander <span>Roy Oswalt</span> (4-2, 6.53 ERA) is scheduled to start for Texas for the first time since moving to the bullpen in late July. Oswalt is making the spot start in place of <span>Ryan Dempster</span>.</p>
<p>Texas will try to bounce back after dropping game one of the series on Friday, 3-2. The loss was the fourth in five games for the Rangers as the offense struggled to break through, giving starter <span>Yu Darvish</span> a tough-luck loss after giving up three runs in seven innings.</p>
<p>The Rangers will try to heat their bats up against Toronto's scheduled starter, <span>Carlos Villanueva</span> (6-2, 3.12 ERA). The right-hander was strong in his last outing, giving up just five hits and one run in seven innings against the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago White Sox</a>.</p>
<p>The game is slated to start at 12:07 p.m. CT and will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest</p>
<p><i>For more on the Rangers, head over to <a href="http://www.lonestarball.com/" target="_blank">Lone Star Ball.</a> For the Blue Jays perspective, check out <a href="http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Bluebird Banter</a>.</i></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=sbnation" title="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com.s3.amazonaws.com/youtube/youtube-article-insert.png" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'SBN YouTube Integration', 'HTML Article Insert - Grey']);" alt="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube"></a></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/8/18/3251400/texas-rangers-vs-toronto-blue-jays-roy-oswalt-2012Tom Lewis2012-08-17T22:35:56-05:002012-08-17T22:35:56-05:00Rangers Hapless Against Happ
<figure>
<img alt="TORONTO, CANADA - AUGUST 17: Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers strikes out against the Texas Rangers during MLB action at the Rogers Centre August 17, 2012 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Hdj5kWrlU26g8shxypcLSvjj40o=/107x0:3893x2524/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/8491650/150438937.jpg" />
<figcaption>TORONTO, CANADA - AUGUST 17: Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers strikes out against the Texas Rangers during MLB action at the Rogers Centre August 17, 2012 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Despite a strong effort from Yu Darvish, the Texas offense couldn't get anything going against Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ.</p> <p></p>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget events clearfix">
<table class="box-score">
<thead><tr>
<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 8.17.2012 </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>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> </span></td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td class="highlight">2</td>
<td class="highlight">4</td>
<td class="highlight">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a> </span></td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>X</td>
<td class="highlight">3</td>
<td class="highlight">4</td>
<td class="highlight">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="13">WP: <span>J.A. Happ</span> (2 - 1) <br> SV: <span>Casey Janssen</span> (16) <br> LP: <span>Yu Darvish</span> (12 - 9)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p><b>Magic Number: </b>40</p>
<p>It's likely many will look at the L next to Yu Darvish after this game and continue to bemoan the rookie's recent performance, but anyone who looks at any other part of his performance will be plenty excited.</p>
<p>There were struggles initially, with a walk to <span>Kelly Johnson</span> followed by an <span>Edwin Encarnacion</span> home run, delivering the first two runs of what ended up a low scoring contest. Unfortunately, walks are Darvish's infuriating problem, and the home run came on a center-square slider that might as well have been on a tee, and those two runs were the difference between winning and losing, but it is hard to fault Darvish for the loss.</p>
<p>From the moment of that awful pitch onward, Darvish only allowed one more free pass -- on a hit by pitch -- while notching 10 strikeouts in seven innings of work. For the game he still managed just over two thirds of his pitches for strikes, but there was enough movement for a staggering 18 swinging strikes. You can live with a little bit of inaccuracy when you can pull off that much tom foolery. That worked because he found the strikezone just over 70% of the time with his fastball, and managed eight of his swinging strikes on a pitch that he hasn't always been able to establish this season. When the Blue Jays actually did connect, it was mostly hit on the ground. Another run scored thanks to the only other hard-hit ball of the day -- a triple in the fifth -- but that was it.</p>
<p>Darvish was not completely un-hittable, but he was dominant and fun to watch. His season has been disappointing lately, but almost every day that he shows what he did Friday night will be a good day.</p>
<p>The problem was the Rangers making J.A. Happ and the Toronto bullpen look like Good Darvish. Happ had eight strikeouts in six innings, pretty much just by throwing low-90s fastballs. After his departure, they managed just two more hits in the final three frames for a pathetic offensive output.</p>
<p>Despite the lack of baserunners, they still managed some opportunities. In the fifth inning, Texas put runners on first and second with no outs, a run expectancy of just over one-and-a-half. Ron Washington elected to bunt with <span>Geovany Soto</span>, which is a silly plan even when you're Geovany Soto because the run expectancy actually goes down. A run did score, but that was it.</p>
<p>Another shot with expectations of more than a run came with runners at the corners and one out in the seventh. Again, Geovany Soto could do nothing, again they managed a run, but again nothing more. Then before an <span>Adrian Beltre</span> single, <span>Josh Hamilton</span> stood around just a bit too long on a dropped third strike in the eighth.</p>
<p>Chances to tie or maybe even win the game squandered, but chances only thanks to Darvish. Even if they squeezed out the likely runs, the Rangers were still completely pathetic at the plate. Or maybe Happ was just that great at locating his fastball, the result is still frustrating.</p>
<p>It is getting hard to care too much about games like this with the division not particularly close at all any more, but homefield advantage in the playoffs would be pretty nice.</p>
<p>But, hey, Yu Darvish was fun again!</p>
<h4>CHARTS!</h4>
<p><iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=272772&type=livewins&num=0&h=400&w=550&date=2012-08-17&team=Blue%20Jays&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=2012-08-17&team=Blue%20Jays&dh=0&season=2012">FanGraphs</a></span></i></p>
<p><b>Biggest Failures</b></p>
<ol>
<li>Geovany Soto -19%</li>
<li> <span>Ian Kinsler</span> -15%</li>
<li> <span>Elvis Andrus</span> -14%</li>
</ol>
<p><b>Biggest Play: </b>Edwin Encarnacion homers, driving in two runs in the first inning, proving to be the difference in the end (16% Win Probability Added).</p>
<p><b>Tim Tschida's Strikezone</b></p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1303549/lhstrikezone.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Lhstrikezone_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1303549/lhstrikezone_medium.png"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1303553/rhstrikezone.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Rhstrikezone_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1303553/rhstrikezone_medium.png"></a></p>
<p><i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/zoneTrack.php?month=8&day=17&year=2012&game=gid_2012_08_17_texmlb_tormlb_1%2F&prevDate=817">Per Brooks Baseball</a></i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2012/8/17/3250935/texas-rangers-lose-toronto-blue-jays-series-opener-happ-yu-darvishRobbie Griffin2012-08-17T21:02:58-05:002012-08-17T21:02:58-05:00Texas Rangers Vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Rangers Lose Series Opener to Toronto 3-2
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><span>Yu Darvish</span> was outstanding, but the Texas bats were unable to back him up, as the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rangers</a> dropped the first game of a three-game set in Toronto by a score of 3-2. Toronto DH <span>Edwin Encarnacion</span> got the home team out to an early lead with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first. The Rangers got on the board when a Craig Jentry fifth-inning groundout scored <span>Michael Young</span>. Toronto immediately responded when a <span>Rajai Davis</span> single scored <span>Anthony Gose</span> in the bottom of the fifth. <span>Adrian Beltre</span> plated a run in the seventh off an error by Toronto third baseman <span>Omar Vizquel</span>, but the Rangers were unable to add the tying run.</p>
<p>Yu Darvish picked up the loss despite pitching seven strong innings, striking out ten <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blue Jays</a> and walking just one. Toronto starter <span>J.A. Happ</span> went six innings, conceding just one run on two hits. The loss drops the Rangers to 68-50 overall, with their lead in the AL West reduced to just 5.5 games and both Oakland and Anaheim playing late.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Rangers, head over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lonestarball.com/">Lone Star Ball.</a> For the Blue Jays perspective, check out <a href="http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Bluebird Banter</a>.</i></p>
<p><a title="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube" href="http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=sbnation"><img alt="Check out the SB Nation Channel on YouTube" onclick="_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'SBN YouTube Integration', 'HTML Article Insert - Grey']);" src="http://assets.sbnation.com.s3.amazonaws.com/youtube/youtube-article-insert.png"></a></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/8/17/3250793/texas-rangers-toronto-blue-jays-3-2-fridayPatrick Vint