Adrian Beltre got the scoring started with his 15th home run of the season.

In discussing the millions of miles the Rangers need to make up in order to be on the road to competitive, the culprit always seems to land at the feet of the pitching, and for good reason. It’s dreadful.

But lost in the pitching morass (and nobody had morass than Bartolo Colon) is the one-sidedness of the Rangers offense.

It really is the quintessential three-outcome offense. Homerun, walk, strikeout. This came to light once again as the Rangers got swept in Anaheim. They outhit the Angels in the three games but lost all three nonetheless.

Four runs in the first game, three via the home run. One run in the second game, from a home run. Two runs in the third games, both off home runs. Seven total runs. Five home runs, four were solo shots.

Ten strikeouts in the first game. Ten strikeouts in the second game. Eleven strikeouts in the third game.

Twenty hits. Thirty-one strikeouts. Zero wins.

Overall, the Rangers are eighth in the American League in home runs. But second in most strikeouts. And fourth in most walks.

Oh, and dead last in batting average. Tied with the moribund Baltimore Orioles at .240. Anytime you are tied with the 2018 Orioles, who currently sit just 60.5 games out of first place, in any category, you need to have a long hard look in the mirror.

Last in batting average. Second to last (thank you, Baltimore) in starter ERA.

That’s where your 2018 Texas Rangers ended up. And that’s where your 2019 Texas Rangers begin.

*****
TODAY’S GAME:

Ariel Jurado (4-5, 6.66) vs. Marco Gonzales (13-9, 4.12)
Game time: 9:10

How the Rangers hit against Gonzales.
How the Mariners hit against Jurado.