I made the trip out to the temple for last nights game and here are some thoughts…….

Matt Harrison pitched efficiently, quickly, and was easily the player of the game in Tuesday night’s win.  On a night when the Texas bullpen needed someone to eat innings, Harrison threw 97 pitches over 7 innings (57 of which were strikes), scattered 5 hits, 2 ER and 1 BB against All-Star pitcher Joe Saunders.

When you look at the lineups for last night’s game vs. Monday night’s, you would think the Rangers have no business winning this game.  Texas played 5 rookies when you include Harrison.  This team is thriving right now on the kids they are calling up from the farm system.  The top 4 spots in the order are occupied by 4 All-Stars, but they are not what is keeping this team in games every night.  It’s guys like Feldman, Hurley, Harrison, Boggs, Ramirez, Murphy and Davis.  All rookies.

What I love to see is the competition in the starting rotation.  The Rangers rotation now could be Millwood, Padilla, Feldman, Hurley, and Harrison.  This puts pressure on guys like Mendoza to straighten things out quickly.  When once surviving 5 innings in a game would guarantee you a rotation spot, there is beginning to be enough depth to keep guys like that in AAA.

A lot of folks are getting down on C.J. and the nail-biting situations he gets into.  Like a kicker coming in to make a game winning field goal, there are not too many closers out there who do not make things interesting from time to time.  C.J. wants the ball and wants to be the closer.  I think that is important in itself.  At this point there must be a commitment made to him and then reevaluate at the end of the year.  Just keep giving him the ball.

Chris Davis has hit some tape-measure home runs and tonight’s game would not have been won without him, but he must start hitting the ball to the gaps and getting on base.  In 37 ABs he has 8 hits, 1 2B, 5 HR, and 10 RBI.  Incredible slugging percentage, but a much needed improvement in OBP and batting average.  I really want to see this guy succeed.

Because of a battered Texas rotation, tonight we will see yet another rookie pitcher.  Mike Ballard, a 14th round pick in 2006 out of University of Virginia is 8-3 3.97 ERA with Frisco this season.  He will match up against Jered Weaver.  Our thirteenth starter vs. a proven veteran.

I love watching this team because they continue to fight when behind and come up with the big plays when the pressure is on.  Lets watch them battle again tonight.