The bullpen parade. 320 comments


Nomar Mazara banged an RBI-double off the wall to score the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth inning. The lead didn’t last long, though.

 

The Rangers have lost nineteen games so far this season. Yesterday’s might have been the most frustrating.

They tied it late. Went ahead even later. Then gave it up with a four-run eighth inning. And tried to tie it in the ninth but fell short.

Jeff Banister sent out his parade of relievers. And like every parade there are clowns and jugglers and fireworks, and everyone goes home disappointed.

It started with Jose Leclerc, the human boomerang. He just keeps getting optioned out and keeps making his way back. He came in with two on and no outs in the sixth and got the next three batters out. Which meant it was time to get him out of the game and take your chances with the next guy.

That guy was Alex Claudio, who started the seventh, after the Rangers had finally tied it 2-2. Claudio gave up three straight singles and gave up the lead.

The parade continued. This time, Kevin Jepson came in and got the badly needed double play. Two batters later he was out of the inning.

But since relief pitchers cannot go longer than one inning, what he earned for getting out of the jam is coming out of the game.

The Rangers offense came alive late as well in the top of the eighth, taking a rare lead in a game they were trailing. It was great to see the younger kids getting their sea legs, getting their confidence, and rallying for a lead.

If only the Rangers bullpen could hold them.

If only. The two longest words in Texas Rangers history.

Navigating through the Rangers bullpen is like walking in a field of landmines. Eventually you will step on one. Banister stepped on Chris Martin.

The bottom of the eighth went: Single. Single. Single. Double. The Indians went ahead 5-4, and the punch in the gut was complete.

With the game on fire, Jeff Banister threw on bacon grease. Jesse Chavez promptly gave up a two-run single and that was that.

What looked like a thrilling, scrappy Rangers come-from-behind win turned into another bullpen meltdown.

Today is another day. And another parade is on the scheduled for around the fifth inning.

*****
TODAY’S GAME:

Doug Fister (1-2, 3.93) vs. Mike Clevinger (2-0, 2.56)
Game time: 5:10

How the Rangers hit against Clevinger.
How the Indians hit against Fister.