“The Rangers showed some fight.”

“They made it interesting.”

“This team doesn’t quit.”

“We battled but we just fell short.”

“I like how our guys didn’t give up.”

“We are going to grind until the final out.”

There must be a big spinning Wheel O’ Cliches in Rangers manager Chris Woodward’s office that he spins after each one of these losses so he not only knows what to say but so that he keeps these excuses fresh and doesn’t use the same one night after night.

Rangers fans should appreciate that. He is trying to keep it fresh. Trying to put a positive spin on this season long offensive drought.

But there is no F column for Fight in the standings. Only a W and an L. And these close losses go in the L column. Along with the moral victories.

Last night’s game was just sloppy baseball. A catchable ball that fell between Adolis Garcia and Kole Calhoun. A ground ball that Corey Seager threw a bit high but was certainly catchable for Nathanial Lowe, who failed to catch it. A bunt that Dane Dunning fell asleep covering.

Those kind of games aren’t showing fight. They aren’t gritty or plucky or scrappy. They are just plain bad baseball. And the fact the Rangers had a bit of late offense is irrelevant. The fact that they scored a couple runs late goes in the way too little way too late column.

They have one of those columns in the standings.

It’s an L.

*****