- Rangers get another 6 innings from a starter, but a triple A lineup can't even muster a run. Day game + end of road trip + worst case scenario 3-3 road trip = let's get the hell out of Dodge. Rangers lose, 6-0.
OAKLAND, Calif. – Over the years, Michael Young has seen plenty of outings like Kevin Millwood's on Wednesday.
Only problem is that Tim Hudson or Joe Blanton or John Lackey was pitching them against the Rangers. What those guys gamely did was bounce back from early trouble to stick around long enough to give their respective clubs a shot to win.
In a 6-0 loss to Oakland that finished off a West Coast road trip, that's exactly what Millwood did, too. He overcame a sloppy four-run second to stick around for six innings. It's only the second time in 94 games this season that a Rangers starter has given up a big number in the first three innings and stuck around for at least six.
"It's huge, huge, huge," Young said. "It's big on so many levels when guys do that. It sets a great example for the rest of the pitching staff. That's what a horse does. He goes out there and battles and keeps you in the game no matter what. I can't even begin to put into words what he did.
"I can't tell you how many times I saw somebody like Hudson do that to us. We'd think we had him and all of a sudden you look up and it's the sixth inning and it's a close game. That's just what good pitchers do."
Good pitchers conserve the bullpen. Good pitchers work quickly. Good pitchers keep the defense involved.
Over the last five weeks, the Rangers have had solid starting pitching. The rotation's overall ERA is 4.06 since Kameron Loe came back from a quick minor league demotion and set a tone with a quick, crisp eight-inning effort at Pittsburgh on June 14. Take the struggling Robinson Tejeda out of the mix and Rangers starters have a 3.55 ERA in that span.
And that is why the Rangers have crept closer to respectability. Before Loe's start at Pittsburgh, the team hit its lowest point of the season, falling to 23-42. Since then, it is 18-11.
- At least Hicks can do something right.........this is genius
Mobile phones are the ticket to Rangers games
For busy baseball fans, the new technology means being able to buy tickets online at the last minute while avoiding lines at the will-call window.
"We're giving people the flexibility to buy tickets anywhere and anytime," said Andrew Silverman, the Rangers' executive vice president of sales and marketing.
The Tickets@Phone launch also will give the team more detailed information about its customers – and how best to sell to them.
While the so-called mobile tickets for now include only a bar code, officials hope to soon be able to target key customers with customized offers for tickets and merchandise over their mobile phones.
Whether on your personal computer or mobile phone, electronic tickets enable the team to do the kind of targeted marketing that wasn't possible with paper tickets.
For example, a customer who went to three games this year might receive an e-mail offer for a mini-package for next season.
"We can present offers based on the day of the week they've purchased games for in the past," Mr. Silverman said.
Billboards for the Texas Rangers suggest fans go see a baseball game and give their BlackBerry some alone time. But now the team is encouraging customers to bring their mobile devices to the stadium.
Starting Thursday, your mobile phone can be your ticket to the game.
The Rangers are among a handful of Major League Baseball teams to launch Tickets@ Phone, a technology that sends a barcode to a mobile phone or device that's read by a scanner to gain entry to a game.
For busy baseball fans, the new technology means being able to buy tickets online at the last minute while avoiding lines at the will-call window.
"We're giving people the flexibility to buy tickets anywhere and anytime," said Andrew Silverman, the Rangers' executive vice president of sales and marketing.
The Tickets@Phone launch also will give the team more detailed information about its customers – and how best to sell to them.
While the so-called mobile tickets for now include only a bar code, officials hope to soon be able to target key customers with customized offers for tickets and merchandise over their mobile phones.
Whether on your personal computer or mobile phone, electronic tickets enable the team to do the kind of targeted marketing that wasn't possible with paper tickets.
For example, a customer who went to three games this year might receive an e-mail offer for a mini-package for next season.
"We can present offers based on the day of the week they've purchased games for in the past," Mr. Silverman said.
- GET HIM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!! An athletic, above the rim, rebounding, running 2 guard who's 25??? What's the hold up?????
Pietrus likes Mavs
Golden State restricted free agent Mickael Pietrus has an interest in joining the Mavs, a deal that would likely require a sign-and-trade deal, his agent, Happy Walters, said.
Walters said the Mavs are one of four teams in discussions about the 6-foot-6 swingman, who has spent all four years of his career with the Warriors.
He's seeking the full mid-level exception of $5.36 million, Walters said. Cleveland and Miami are also reportedly interested.
Because Pietrus is a restricted free agent, the Warriors can match any offer. He made $2.5 million last season while averaging 11.1 points and 4.5 rebounds in 26.9 minutes a game.
The Mavs have the mid-level exception, plus a $1.83 biannual exception to use.
- Anyone want to bet against this guy? Put me on record in saying he'll win his 3rd straight, I know I'll be locked in this weekend.
- Thank you. Sick of him. Always a victim, in just about every aspect of his daily life.
Sheffield fined undisclosed amount for criticizing umpires
MINNEAPOLIS -- Detroit Tigers star Gary Sheffield was fined an undisclosed amount Wednesday by Major League Baseball for recently criticizing umpires.
"Our highly professional umpires protect the integrity of the game on the field. Attacks on their professionalism and character will not be tolerated," commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.
The often-outspoken Sheffield declined comment following batting practice before Detroit's game at Minnesota.
This punishment stemmed from remarks he made in June regarding a suspension he received for allegedly throwing a piece of his broken bat at home plate umpire Greg Gibson in a May game at Cleveland. Sheffield and manager Jim Leyland disputed Gibson's claim.
When the suspension was reduced from three games to two last month, Sheffield still wasn't happy and lashed out at the umpires.
"It just goes to show you it wasn't true and how corrupt the umpiring system is," he said then. "They can make a statement, and that means it's true."
- I'll play win at all cost, turn a blind eye, super-fan for a second. Suspend him for 2 games and have him ready to roll for game #3. If Callahan knew what was good for him, he'd do it. Biggest game of his tenure goes down September 15 in Lincoln. Mighty USC invades Memorial Stadium.
NU Football: Purify gets probation
BY RICH KAIPUST
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
LINCOLN - Maurice Purify said he hoped to "be afforded a second chance to do what I love to do" after the Nebraska football player reached resolution on his legal matters Wednesday.
Purify received 12 months' probation and fines totaling $1,250 after pleading no contest to four charges stemming from two separate incidents. Two other charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement reached before his Lancaster County Court appearance.
Lincoln attorney Jon Braaten said he was satisfied with the outcome and called the punishments appropriate for Purify. The senior receiver said he fully expects that it will result in him missing some football games next season.
"It will," Purify said in a brief interview outside the courtroom. "But I don't know how long."
According to NU media relations director Keith Mann, head coach Bill Callahan had no immediate comment Wednesday but indicated he would address the Purify situation in the next few days. The Huskers begin preseason practice Aug. 6 and open the season Sept. 1 against Nevada.
Callahan suspended Purify indefinitely after his June 8 arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence. According to the Nebraska State Patrol, Purify's blood-alcohol level was .138 after he was stopped for driving 49 mph in a 40 mph zone and failing to signal a turn near Interstate 180 and Cornhusker Highway.
With a no contest plea to that charge, Purify forfeited any right to a trial and was fined $400 in addition to probation. He also was ordered into outpatient drug and alcohol treatment. His license wasn't suspended or revoked, but he will have an "ignition interlock" attached to his vehicle for 60 days.
That incident followed his May 5 arrest after a fight at a Lincoln bar, which included two charges of assault and one each of trespassing, refusal to comply with the order of police and hinder/delay of arrest.
Purify pled no contest to one assault charge (against a male) and had the other dropped (against a female), as well as the refusal to comply. The trespassing was amended to disturbing the peace, and Purify pled no contest to both that charge and the hinder/delay.
Asked about the incidents, Purify said, "That's just not my style." Braaten also pointed to Purify's lack of any previous legal problems.
"Those were two instances completely out of character," Braaten said. "He'll take steps to make sure they won't happen again."
NU receivers coach Ted Gilmore stood with Purify after his appearance. In lieu of further comment, Braaten released a four-paragraph statement from Purify.
"I apologize to my family, my friends, my teammates and to those who support Husker football," Purify said. "I especially want to express my apologies to Coach Callahan and the coaching staff because I know I let them down. I am extremely disappointed in myself.
"I am responsible for my actions. The choices I made that led to these circumstances were out of character for me. In each instance, I was under the influence of alcohol. I do not use that as an excuse, but I want to be honest. I am currently addressing this issue with professional help and guidance."
Purify was NU's second-leading receiver last season, with 34 catches for 630 yards and seven touchdowns. Several preseason magazines - printed before his arrests - listed the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder as an All-Big 12 candidate.
"I do not know if I will be fortunate enough to play another game at Nebraska," Purify said in his statement. "I hope that I can be afforded a second chance to do what I love to do - play football for Nebraska. If Coach Callahan decides that I will not be able to play again, I respect his decision and am grateful for the opportunity that he has given me."
Here's a nice link of the top NCAA venues in the nation. #1 and #2 give me severe happy pants.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0707/campus.top10.venues/content.10.html
- Picks O'the day
Back after a hiatus
YTD - 54-51
1) MILW -140 - at home (34-15), and pitcher is 1-0 with 2.79 era and 9.8 AWHG in last 3 starts
2) CHICUBS -180 - chi hot (7-3 in last 10), pitcher lily hot as well, 3-0 with 1.21 era and 8.1 AWHG in last 3 starts
3) DET -115 - det on road (31-17 - unheard of road record), bonderman pitching, 2-0 with 1.96 era and 9 AWHG in last 3 starts
4) TB +170 - number too big for a team at home not to take them
No comments:
Post a Comment