Photo: Yu Darvish gets a big head, lowers his ERA to 2.60 (Big League Stew)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Imagine: An entire stadium of over-sized, photocopied Yu Darvish heads on cardboard, with each individual image propped up on picture-frame stands and placed on every seat inside Rangers Ballpark. Just before the first pitch, the artist Cristo lines the stadium with a pink skirt and photographs all of it while rappelling from the Goodyear blimp. That's the natural progression, or where we ought to be headed at least, after this lone fan appeared with a giant Darvish head for Darvish's start for the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night. Possibly inspired by seeing his own BigHead (TM) in the crowd, Darvish allowed four hits and struck out seven in a 4-1 victory against the Oakland Athletics. He lowered his ERA to 2.60. Earning his keep, he is. In the following quote, Darvish pretended he was not in awe of the BigHead:

The Juice: Another Albert Pujols home run sighted, Orioles beat Royals in 15 (Big League Stew)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Juice is back for its fifth season of fun! Stop by each weekday for an ample serving of news from the action, plus great photos, stats and video highlights. Was that Bigfoot or Sasquatch?: Oh, neither. Just the second home run of the season for Albert Pujols, who went deep for the Los Angeles Angels in a 7-2 victory against the White Sox on Wednesday night. Some were beginning to wonder how many homers he had left in his bat after a drought of 33 games and 139 at-bats to start the season. Now he's got two deeps, giving him 447 for his career so far, on his way to 500-plus. You know, Albert. "It's been awhile,'' Pujols said. ''There are some times I feel good at the plate and hit the ball hard but don't catch any breaks. But you can't lose your focus. Every at-bat, no matter how I feel, I try to take it as the last at-bat of my career. Hey, listen - this game is not easy. I've been saying that all year long. There are things that are out of your control.'' Jim Eppard fixes everything: The Angels have knocked out 24 hits in their past two games with the memory of fired coach Mickey Hatcher still on their minds. New coach Jim Eppard tutored many of the Angels in the minor leagues, so at least he's coming in with an idea of how to help. ''What's great about it is that a lot of the guys here I've had come through Salt Lake, so I have a mental tape of those guys." O's so good: The Baltimore Orioles are 24-14 after Adam Jones hit a tie-breaking home run in the 15th inning to carry them to a 4-3 victory at Kansas City. Jones' 12th homer of the season came after he started the game 0 for 6. ''Some people were behind me, yelling at me, 'Hey, come on Jones.' I showed them. After I hit that, they shut up the heck up.'' Said.

Rangers video: Yu Darvish postgame news conference

Source: Foul Territory by Star-Telegram

Right-hander Yu Darvish, along with interpreter Joe Furukawa, discusses his latest outing, a 4-1 triumph Wednesday that ran his record to 6-1 after his first eighth major-league starts. Video by Jeff Wilson.

 

 

 

 

Ron Washington knows when Rangers need rest

Source: ESPN Dallas

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Ron Washington is managing with one goal in mind: To get the Texas Rangers ready for the stretch drive and postseason. Yes, even in the middle of May, Washington is thinking about the big picture. That's not to say he doesn't keep his players focused on the present and attempt to win every series they play. But when it comes to having his team fully prepared for the heat of a pennant race in September, Washington sees value in putting together a plan now.

Thursday a.m. Rangers things

Source: Lone Star Ball by Adam J. Morris

Texas goes for the sweep today against Brandon McCarthy and the A's...

Jeff Wilson's game story talks about Yu Darvish and his impressive 7.2 inning, 1 run outing yesterday.

Anthony Andro writes in his game story that Darvish is making a case for being the best starting pitcher on the team.

Craig Gentry's speed a real weapon

Source: ESPN Dallas

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Craig Gentry was speeding all over Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the A's. He raced down the first-base line after putting down a perfect bunt toward the third baseman in the third. He hustled to first on a ground ball to third and beat out the throw. And he sprinted to the left-center gap on a fly ball hit by Seth Smith to lead off the seventh. "I've played with Gentry all the way up from Double-A on and speed is a huge part of his game," first baseman Mitch Moreland said.

Joe Nathan-Back Dominating the Ninth Inning: Fan's View (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Texas Rangers may have not been concerned about Joe Nathan during the first week of the season, but it was hard to find many fans that were not. Nathan did save two games during that first week, but also took two losses, which happened to be the only two games the Rangers lost during the first 14 games of the season. At that time Nathan looked nothing like the pitcher he once was with the Minnesota Twins and many were concerned that he might not ever be that pitcher again.

Rangers face familiar foe in Oakland's Brandon McCarthy this afternoon

Source: DallasNews.com

A Very Happy Birthday for Eric Nadel

Source: Chicken Fried Baseball by chickenfriedbb

The Rangers announced yesterday that broadcaster Eric Nadel will be inducted to the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame. The designation is long overdue, and it is only a matter of time before Nadel receives the Ford Frick award, and induction into the national Baseball Hall of Fame. The announcement came on the eve of Nadel’s 61st birthday today.

Also born on May 16th:

Megan Fox
An Estonian Footballer named Taavi Rahn
The Lone Ranger
Tracey Gold from Growing Pains
Rapper Special Ed
And of course, yours truly.

And The Beat Goes On: May 17th

Source: Baseball Time in Arlington by Joey Matschulat

And now for something from the not-house-music division:

● ESPN Dallas recaps last night's Yu Darvish-driven win. So does the Star-Telegram. So does MLB.com.

● Gerry Fraley says that Yu Darvish's rapid progress is "a surprise to all except Darvish," which is probably selling short the fan base's expectation level for Darvish over this season's first few months. Richard Durrett quotes Darvish as saying that he utilized his fastball as an out pitch more so than he did in previous outings on Wednesday night. Ron Washington says that winning is the only thing Darvish has ever known. 

● T.R. Sullivan talks about the upcoming weekend set in Houston, and why the Silver Boot may be about to embark upon its farewell tour, as the two people who cared most about it were Tom Hicks and Drayton McLane. 

● Mike Napoli sympathizes with now-deposed Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher, and believes that he was a scapegoat for the failures of the Angels' lineup. 

● Kevin Sherrington dabbles around in the realm of Josh Hamilton and Jurickson Profar for Matt Kemp trades. Hamilton is looking at getting a day off in the near future. Ian Kinsler was out last night with a stomach bug, but I recall reading somewhere that he was available after about the fourth inning or thereabouts, and I assume that he'll be available to start this afternoon's series finale. Drew Davison writes about Yorvit Torrealba trying to find some sort of groove at the plate. The Star-Telegram's notes mention that the Rangers are still waiting to hear the final outcome from MLB's investigation into the Jairo Beras situation.

● Gary Sinise was better in "Hostage" than he was at throwing out last night's first pitch.

Inge expects to land on disabled list (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Oakland A's are likely to have three of their regulars on the disabled list by the time Thursday's game starts at Texas.

White Sox-Angels Preview (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Game No. 1 under Los Angeles Angels new hitting coach Jim Eppard would have to be considered an overwhelming success. The team plated its most runs in more than a week, and most importantly, Albert Pujols homered.

Observations from Rangers' 4-1 win over A's: Craig Gentry's speed, Adrian Beltre's bat save Texas

Source: DallasNews.com

Orioles-Royals Preview (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Adam Jones seems to do his best work as a one-man wrecking crew, and that's fine with the Baltimore Orioles.

It's Great to Be a Fan of the Texas Rangers: Fan Opinion (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Texas Rangers are just over one-fifth of the way through the 2012 season and they are looking better than I have ever seen. I'm not new to the scene either. I have been keeping up with the Rangers on a regular basis since the 1986 season. So you can trust me when I say that I have been there through the good times and the bad.

Athletics-Rangers Preview (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Josh Hamilton dominates most opponents, and the Oakland Athletics are no different.

Cut4: Sinise delivers a first pitch for the ages

Source: MLB.com

Harrison trying to reverse course

Source: MLB.com by James Walker

Brandon McCarthy will be facing Matt Harrison and the Rangers on Thursday when the two teams wrap up a two-game series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Whirling Darvish: Yu impressive against A's

Source: MLB.com by Christian Corona

Yu Darvish surrendered one run on four hits in 7 2/3 innings while striking out seven as the Rangers beat the Athletics, 4-1, on Wednesday night at the Ballpark in Arlington.

Firing Mickey Hatcher was a desperate move the slumping Los Angeles Angels had to make (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

A new hitting coach may or may not wake up Albert Pujols, but L.A. had to try something with a season slipping away.

Rangers' Darvish rolls to sixth victory (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

And the beat goes on for RHP Yu Darvish.

Yu Darvish proves again he's got what it takes

Source: Star-Telegram by Randy Galloway

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers had such a drowsy start to the baseball week that even manager Ron Washington jokingly advised local media members not to abandon ship.

Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba trying to find groove at plate

Source: Star-Telegram by By Drew Davison

The Rangers catcher off to a slow start after a solid year in 2011.

Darvish allows A's only four hits in Rangers' win

Source: Star-Telegram by By Jeff Wilson

ARLINGTON -- The last time Yu Darvish had taken the mound, he wowed a sellout crowd at Rangers Ballpark by enduring a 116-minute rain delay to beat the team expected to compete with the Texas Rangers for the American League West title.

Rangers spotlight: Napoli feels Hatcher was scapegoat for Angels struggles

Source: Star-Telegram

Mike Napoli understands it. He knows a struggling team can't fire the players, so they have to find a scapegoat somewhere.

Rangers Notes: Michael Young latest to get rest day

Source: Star-Telegram by By Jeff Wilson

Notes

Rangers observations

Source: DallasNews.com

Wrapping up Rangers 4-1 victory over Athletics, as Yu Darvish improves to 6-1

Source: Foul Territory by Star-Telegram

Yu Darvish turned in another pitching gem, allowing one run over 7 2/3 innings in carrying the Rangers to a 4-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday.

Darvish is now 6-1 with a 2.60 ERA in his first eight big league starts. In his last seven starts, he has a 1.94 ERA and 53 strikeouts against 22 walks. At Rangers Ballpark, Darvish is 4-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four starts.

More importantly for the Rangers, though, the victory comes after they were swept in a two-game series by Kansas City.

"We needed it," Adrian Beltre said. "I think the last two games, we didn't play well. Defensively, we threw games away and offensively we weren't right there and it's nice to go back to our game and play defense and get some key hits for our team."

Here are a few postgame notes following the game:

* Beltre belted his seventh home run of the season, a two-run opposite field shot in the fourth inning that saw him take a knee on the follow through. It came on the first pitch and marked his 21st blast against Oakland -- fourth most among active players.

* Craig Gentry beat out an infield single with two outs in the fourth inning, driving in a run and keeping a Rangers' rally going. "I didn't think there'd be any chance that I could beat it out," Gentry said. "I'm just hustling down the line, hoping somethign happens and luckily it did." Gentry reached on a bunt single in the third inning, as well.

* Josh Hamilton had an infield single to lead off the fourth, extending his hitting streak to 16 games. It's the longest streak in the American League, and tied for the third longest in the majors this season.

* Finally, closer Joe Nathan had a perfect ninth, striking out the side for his eighth save. Nathan has converted eight of nine save chances this season.

-- Drew Davison

Yu Darvish mixes things up, pitches deep

Source: ESPN Dallas

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Yu Darvish is always looking for an edge. And going into Wednesday's game against the Oakland A's, Darvish and Torrealba talked about using his fastball as an out pitch. "These teams study me just like I study them," Darvish said through interpretor Joe Furukawa. "In previous starts I was going to my breaking ball as out pitch. Knowing that, I was able to use my fastball hard in and up in the zone to get some outs." Quality starts are becoming the norm for Darvish.

Rangers 4, Athletics 1: Regional Recap & Reactions

Source: Lone Star Ball by philkid3

Rangers 4, Athletics 1: Regional Recap & Reactions

Yu Darvish.

AL Capsules (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Jeremy Hellickson pitched six solid innings, Luke Scott had a tiebreaking sacrifice fly, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Boston 2-1 on Wednesday night, snapping the Red Sox's five-game winning streak.

Yu Darvish Dazzles Again Against the Athletics: Fan Reaction (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Texas Rangers defeated the Oakland Athletics 4-1 on May 16th behind another strong outing from Yu Darvish who continued to show that he is the "ace" that Texas spent a lot of money on in the offseason. He dazzled Oakland hitters with his offspeed stuff and ended the game with seven strikeouts against two walks while holding the A's to just four hits. I realize the season is still young but Darvish reminds me a lot of pitchers like David Cone and Greg Maddux with his uncanny ability to hit corners and freeze batters and his ability to make them swing at stupid pitches. ...

Elvis Andrus snaps on-base streak after pinch-hit appearance

Source: DallasNews.com

Josh Hamilton could be next Ranger to get night off

Source: DallasNews.com

Slumping Michael Young held out of Rangers' lineup

Source: DallasNews.com

Thoughts on a 4-1 win

Source: Lone Star Ball by Adam J. Morris

Rangers 4, A's 1

If anyone ever asked me, I would recommend not proposing marriage to your girlfriend on the Rangers Live postgame show.
Ho hum, another boring Yu Darvish start. For the fifth time in eight starts, Darvish allowed no more than one earned run, going 7.2 innings, giving up 4 hits, walking 2, and striking out 7. Jemile Weeks reached base three times against Darvish. So did the other eight batters in the A's lineup, combined. Darvish now has a 2.60 ERA on the season, and since allowing 4 runs in his first

Darvish claiming ace status as he tosses Texas past A's (Reuters)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

(Reuters) - Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish continued his blistering start to life in Major League Baseball as the Japanese right-hander breezed through the Oakland Athletics lineup in a 4-1 win on Wednesday. Darvish, who leads Texas starters in wins, ERA and strikeouts, struck out seven more and allowed just one run in seven-and-two-third innings to improve his first-year record to 6-1. Oakland (19-19) claimed their lone score in the first inning, but the home Rangers roared back with all four of their runs in the fourth, where Adrian Beltre connected on a go-ahead two-run homer. ...

Whirling Darvish: Yu leads Texas past A's

Source: MLB.com by Chris Corona

Yu Darvish surrendered one run on four hits in 7 2/3 innings while striking out seven as the Rangers beat the Athletics, 4-1, on Wednesday night at the Ballpark in Arlington.

Texas' Silver Boot set could have different feel

Source: MLB.com by T.R. Sullivan

The Rangers open Interleague Play on Friday when they begin a three-game series with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The second half of this home-and-home battle will be on June 15-17 at the Ballpark in Arlington.

Darvish wins again with 4-1 victory over A's (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Yu Darvish pitched 7 2-3 strong innings and Adrian Beltre had a two-run homer to help the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland Athletics 4-1 on Wednesday night.

24-14 - Rangers Save Winning For Athletics

Source: Lone Star Ball by ghostofErikThompson

Yu Darvish? Ho hum.

Joe Nathan? Now there's a pitcher!

Final: Rangers 4, Athletics 1 (Yu Darvish improves to 6-1)

Source: Foul Territory by Star-Telegram

ARLINGTON – Yu Darvish got the Texas Rangers back on track.

A day after being swept the Kansas City Royals, Darvish shut down the Oakland Athletics and carried the Rangers to a 4-1 victory on Wednesday night.

Darvish allowed only one run on four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts to improve to 6-1 on the season.

The A’s scored their run in the first, as Jemile Weeks led off with a single and scored on a sacrifice fly by Josh Reddick.

After that, Darvish took over. He didn’t allow a base runner to get into scoring position until the eighth. His night came to an end when Weeks singled to left to put runners at first and second with two outs.

Rangers setup man Mike Adams ended that threat, though, by striking out pinch-hitter Jonny Gomes. Joe Nathan worked the ninth for his eighth save.

The Rangers gained the lead in the fourth, scoring all of their runs that inning.

Josh Hamilton started it with an infield single, extending his hitting streak to 16 games. Adrian Beltre followed with an opposite field home run to right to put the Rangers up 2-0. Texas scored two more on RBI singles by Craig Gentry and Elvis Andrus.

-- Drew Davison

The Rangers Are 24-14

Source: Baseball Time in Arlington by Joey Matschulat

Yeah. Yu Darvish, everyone.

Rapid Reaction: Rangers 4, Oakland 1

Source: ESPN Dallas

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Yu Darvish and a four-run fourth inning helped the Texas Rangers end a two-game slide and beat the Oakland A's, 4-1. Some quick thoughts on tonight's game: What it means: Texas is now five games in front of the A's, who are second in the AL West. It's the largest division lead in the AL. Darvish consistent: Darvish is making quality starts a habit. He went 7 2/3 innings and gave up one run on four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.

Jurickson Profar: Will Hot Prospect Find Role with Rangers This Season?

Source: Bleacher Report

Jurickson Profar is already making life pleasantly challenging for Nolan Ryan and the Texas Rangers.

This highly-touted, 19-year-old shortstop prospect from Curacao has rudely offended Double-A Texas League pitching so far this season.

A sweet-swinging switch hitter with surprising power, Profar is batting .291 with four home runs, 19 RBI and six stolen bases for the Frisco Roughriders.

During the past 10 games, Profar is hitting .356 with a .921 OPS.

More impressively, this whiz with an infectious spirit boasts a 26-game hitting streak through May 16th.

Neither Bryce Harper nor Mike Trout can say this.

What Harper and Trout can say, however, is that they have officially found a home in Major League Baseball.

This fact sparks the question: Will the Rangers call Profar up to the kingdom should he continue to excel?

Or does Texas let Profar continue to marinate in the minors, much like what the Detroit Tigers are doing with hot prospects Nick Castellanos and Avisail Garcia?

To this, some would answer yes. While Profar is indeed an exhilarating shortstop, he still has ways to go to master his glove work (six errors in 32 games at Double-A).

If the Rangers did call Profar up, where would he play?

The Rangers are already loaded up and down the lineup with fear-imposing hitters.

This includes shortstop Elvis Andrus, who is quietly enjoying a breakout season.

So what to do?

Do the Rangers move Profar to the outfield to spell relief during those sizzling Texas summer months?

Or would the team be best to move Ian Kinsler to the outfield, to enable Profar to join Andrus, his veteran sidekick?

What about the Rangers using Profar at multiple positions to create a dynamic, interchangeable lineup?

As if this team could get any scarier, the Rangers using Profar in this fashion could create game-planning nightmares for opposing managers.

While several questions exist, one thing is certain. The Rangers are in an enviable position. Should Profar continue to pound minor league pitching, he has the potential to give the Rangers another nail to pound in the American League’s coffin.

 

Related Articles:

Elvis Andrus Quietly Having Breakout Season in Shadow of Josh Hamilton

Josh Hamilton on Record to Break 82-Year-Old Baseball Record

Texas Rangers Fast Becoming MLB's Version of New Orleans Saints

Read more Texas Rangers news on BleacherReport.com

G38GDT4

Source: Lone Star Ball by ghostofErikThompson

Go Rangers...

G38GDT3

Source: Lone Star Ball by ghostofErikThompson

Go Rangers...