Kason Gabbard and Lulis Mendoza (netiher of whom could hold a spot last year) may get another try. Tommy Hunter also could get a more extended look.  My money is on Dustin Nippert. Nippert got into some games last year with the Rangers and was just ok, but he did show some flashes.

Could Neftali Feliz or Derek Holland actually make the rotation to start the year? It is not likely, but stranger things have happened.

The contract will pay $500,000 if Jones remains in the minor leagues and atleast $1 million of Jones makes the big league roster. To reach the full $1 million and bonuses, Jones would need to be an everyday regular player. There is also a March 20th opt out clause that Jones can use if it doesn’t look like he will make the big league roster out of spring training.

The deal could ultimately be worth more than $3 million should Guardado make the big-league club and meet all performance incentives, and it could include some form of no-trade protection.

Turnbow will probably make the roster and pitch out of the bullpen. He could even be a closer if needed but will probably by used more as a setup man.

I would expect to see Daigle and Ramirez in Triple-A to begin the season but could earn call ups if they throw the ball well in Triple-A Oklahoma.

Moscoso went 5-4 with a 2.70 earned run average as a starter and reliever between Class A Lakeland and Double-A Erie and struck out 122 batters in 86 2/3 innings. Melo went 3-3 with a 5.14 ERA over 14 games in the Dominican Summer League.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers have been dissappointing for most of the season, but on Wednesday they gave their fans something to cheer about. The Rangers hit three home runs including a three-run shot by Hank Blalock, a two-run blast from Nelson Cruz, and then a solo home run from Travis Metcalf.

Blalock finished the game with a team high four rbi’s. He was followed by Michael Young, Josh Hamilton, Cruz and Metcalf who all had two rbi each in the game. German Duran and Michael Bradley finished up the scoring with one rbi each.

On the mound it was Matt Harrison getting the win and improving to 8-3 on the year. Harrison tossed six innings while giving up six hits and two runs. He struck out seven batters while giving up a solo home run. It was a quality start for Harrison and the Rangers scored plenty of runs for him to get the win. Josh Rupe threw two innings and was charged with two runs while Wes Littleton threw the ninth inning to finish up the game.

It was nice to see the Rangers win the final two games at home to give the fans a little something to cheer about. It wasn’t the season they wanted, but hopefully things will improve next time we see the Rangers take the field in Arlington.

Let’s now sit back and see how the team does in Anaheim as they take on the Angels in the final three games of the season this weekend.

Rangers Blog

Luis Mendoza gave up a rbi single in the 11th inning to Travis Buck and ended up taking the loss for the Rangers. The only other Rangers pitcher to allow any runs was starting pitcher Kevin Millwood who was charged with eight hits and two three runs over seven innings. He didn’t have that bad of game as he struckout six and only walked one. There just wasn’t enough run support for him in the game.

As we mentioned before, Blalock had the game tying solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to force extra innings. The other two rbi came off the bats of German Duran and who had a rbi single and Milton Bradley who had a rbi sac fly. The offense needed to step it up just a little bit but they were unable to do that and pick p the pitching staff.

Rangers Blog

Starting pitcher Dustin Nippert was charged with six hits and five runs in just 4 1/3 innings. Luis Mendoza was even worse as he didn’t even record an out and gave up four hits and six runs while walking two other batters. In one inning of action, Bill White gave up three hits and five more runs. Scott Feldman didn’t want to me left out of the performance and he gave up one run as well in the game. Pitchers clearly didn’t have things working on Wednesday night.

Brandon Boggs had three of the four Rangers rbi’s in the game as he had a two run double and a rbi ground out in the game. Chris Davis had a rbi double in the eighth inning for the fourth and final rbi for the Rangers. When your pitchers give 17 runs, I don’t expect the offense to do much and that was clearly the case here.

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Taylor Teagarden got the comeback started with a rbi double and then he scored on a Michael Young single. Marlon Byrd then hit a two-run triple to deep right field to score the tying and go ahead runs.

Earlier in the game Teagarden hit a grandslam and Travis Metcalf hit a three run home run. Teagarden and Metcalf sure did have a great game as Teagarden finished with five rbi and Metcalf three.

On the mound the Rangers had to call to the bullpen early in the game due to an injury to starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy who only recorded two outs in the first inning. McCarthy was taken out of the game after he strained a flexor tendon on his right middle finger.

Four of the next five Rangers pitchers gave up runs as they had a pretty bad outing. Luis Mendoza and Jamey Wright both gave up one run each, Wes Littleton gave up two runs, while Josh Rupe was charged with four runs. Frank Francisco was the only pitcher to not allow a run as he picked up the victory.

The Rangers will try to make it two in a row over the Tigers on Tuesday night.

Rangers Blog

Nelson Cruz, Taylor Teagarden, and Hank Blalock all hit two run home runs and finished the game with two rbi each. Chris Davis tacked on a solo home run as well in the game. The offense did their job however it was the pitching staff that allowed eight runs and lost the game.

Kevin Millwood was tagged for 11 hits and five runs in five innings of action. Milwood took the loss and is now 9-9 on the season. It has been a very disappointing season for Millwood that is for sure. Kameron Loe pitched two innings and gave up four hits and one run as well.

The Rangers will get right back at it on Thursday night as they travel to Oakland for a four game series. Rangers Blog