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.