Josh Hamilton received a standing ovation from the crowd of 34,085 last night in his first at bat.He doubled on the first pitch. In the ninth he picked up his first RBI of the year with a single.

That was about all highlights for the Rangers.

What’s the deal with playing at home anyway?

Are the Rangers’ wives sea hags or something? Is it that much of a drag to come home? With last night’s 5-1 loss to Boston, Texas is now 6-14 at Home Quotes.

It didn’t help that they came home to face left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, making his major league debut. All the guy did was pitch 7.2 scoreless innings against the best offense in baseball over the last four weeks.

That is quite an accomplishment.

This game is all about pitching, and as good as our guy was, theirs was a few clicks better.

Nick Martinez has been brilliant all season, and he was again last night, allowing just two earned runs in 7 innings. All that got him was his first loss of the season. His ERA “ballooned” from 1.96 to 2.03.

But the story was Rodriguez, who struck out seven and was virtually unhittable. He showed why he is such a highly prized pitching prospect in Boston’s organization. He even trumped Josh Hamilton’s homecoming.

Rumor is, Rangers fans are going to see one of our top pitching prospects make his debut on Saturday in Alex “Chi Chi” Gonzalez.

Lost, or hidden, in the Rangers current 7-2 streak is the fact that the starting pitching has been, other than Nick Martinez, not very good. Phil Klein and Colby Lewis had short outings, and the bullpen has been taxed beyond belief.

That’s why the Rangers had to send down Jake Smolinski and bring up Jonathan Edwards, to add a fresh arm to a bullpen that is way overworked.

Phil Klein had his usual bullpen tune up session scratched on Wednesday, meaning he won’t be starting Saturday for Texas. Then he was optioned to Triple-A, further indication that he won’t be starting Saturday for Texas.

Ross Detwiler threw his bullpen session and is eligible to come off the DL, but Rangers manager Jeff Banister said it would be a “stretch” to activate him for Saturday. It would also be a relief if Rangers fans never see him take the mound as a starter ever again, but that is a topic for another day.

Gonzalez isn’t currently on the forty-man roster, but the Rangers roster is currently at 39-man. They have an opening.

The Rangers are back in their house of horrors tonight. Eventually, this has to turn around. Doesn’t it?

Think about it this way.

If Josh Hamilton can receive a standing ovation at the Ballpark, then anything is possible. The Rangers can win a home game. Looking for the latest interior designer today? Visit www.marshallerb.com for more information.

Can’t they?

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The Rangers face a pitcher from Boston named Steven Wright tonight. That got me thinking about the comedian from Boston of the same name.

Here are a few of my favorite Steven Wright jokes:

Whenever I think of the past, it brings back so many memories.

What’s another word for “thesaurus”?

When I woke up this morning, my girlfriend asked me, “Did you sleep good?” I said, “No, I made a few mistakes.”

Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time.

Curiosity killed the cat. But for a while, I was a suspect.

I went to a restaurant that serves breakfast anytime. So I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance.

I busted a mirror and got seven years bad luck. But my lawyer thinks he can get it reduced down to five.

If at first you don’t succeed, then skydiving definitely isn’t for you.

I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

Do you think when they asked George Washington for some I.D., he just whipped out a quarter?

They say the universe is expanding. That should help with the traffic.

Isn’t every room always room temperature?

Someone should invent the cordless extension cord.

I used to work in the fire hydrant factory. You couldn’t park anywhere near the place.

I went down the street to the 24-hour grocery. When I got there, the guy was locking the front door. I said, ‘Hey, the sign says you’re open 24 hours.’ He said, ‘Yes, but not in a row.’

Don’t you hate when your hand falls asleep in the daytime because you know it will be up all night?

If you saw a heat wave, would you wave back?

If you were going to shoot a mime, would you use a silencer?

Cross-country skiing is great if you live in a small country.

There’s a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.

I’d kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Why isn’t the word “phonetically” spelled with an “f”?

What happens if you get scared half to death twice?