Yu’s last stand. Unable to re-sign him, and unable to win enough to need him the rest of the way, the Rangers are faced with trading Yu Darvish before Monday’s trade deadline in order to get something of value in return for him.

It was the game the Rangers have been waiting one hundred games for.

The offense exploded, up and down the lineup. Gallo got two home runs and a walk. Odor was on base four times. Mazara collected three hits. Choo got two hits. Napoli, three, including a home run.

Cole Hamels bent but didn’t break.

It was a glorious night of baseball at the Ballpark.

And it didn’t matter. Not one bit.

Because the Yankees won. The Rays won. The Mariners won. And the Royals won.

Four of the six teams ahead of the Rangers in the wild card hunt won. The Rangers, in their best game of the season, didn’t gain a game.

And that, in a nutshell, is the problem with being seventh in line. You have to cut in front of six people. Very unlikely.

And that is why Yu Darvish should be making his last start as a Ranger tonight.

I just hope, when he gets to pitch number 90 and Jeff Banister takes him out of a Rangers game for the final time ever, it’s in the middle of an inning, so all the fans in attendance can stand and salute the guy who is arguable the best pitcher in Rangers history, and give him the standing ovation he deserves.

So long, Yu. And thanks for six years.

*****
TODAY’S GAME:

Jose Urena (8-4, 3.78) vs. Yu Darvish (6-8, 3.44)
Game time: 7:05

How the Marlins hit against Darvish.
How the Rangers hit against Urena.