AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!

What a terrifying victory for the Rangers on Tuesday night. An odd thing to say for sure, but it's the only thing to say. Flat out, the Texas Rangers are lucky to have won last night's game by the 10-9 final that they did.

To be perfectly honest, the game reminded me of this one we played against the Angels in May.

http://sportsbydallas.blogspot.com/2009/05/and-hits-just-keep-on-coming.html

With what seemed like a sure 10-5 lead, the Rangers came into the 9th with Jason Grilli pitching to get some work in now that he's off the DL. Grilli gave up a walk and a single and was quickly pulled in favor of Frank Francisco.

Of course, thanks to my jinx having posted yesterday that Frankie hadn't walked anyone since July 10th, he walks A-Rod to load the bases with no one out. Matsui singles, one run scores. Bases still loaded and no one out. 10-6. Next batter is Jorge Posada who in his career is 0-9 against Frankie...until tonight. Fluky little infield single scores Tex from third and loads the bases again. No one out, 10-7 the score now. Robinson Cano now up...as the game winning run. Cano, of course, hits a weak single that score two.

Texas is now faced with runners on first and second, no one out, in a 10-9 ball game. Nick Swisher comes up and is bunting. I know why Girardi made the call, but I disagree with it. With no one out, I think you have to let Swisher swing there. Swisher fails on the bunt attempt, popping it up and out. Runners stay put, but Texas is still faced with thy tying run in scoring position and Melkey Cabrera coming up. Melkey lines out to Elvis Andrus, who quickly scampers to second and steps on the bag just ahead of pinch-runner Jerry Hairston's dive. Double play to end the game.

Texas really got lucky here. I'm starting to wonder if maybe Neftali Feliz should take over closer duties for now. Bottom line, Feliz is the most dominant pitcher the Rangers have right now.

The second most dominant pitcher the Rangers have right now is Derek Holland. He'll be on the mound for Texas tonight against Andy Pettite. Texas looks to clinch a series win with a victory tonight. Texas HAS to take two out of three and could really use a sweep in this series.

Couple awesome notes from yesterday's game...Josh Hamilton had four hits...Michael Young went 2-5 with another home run and three RBI...9 of Texas' 10 runs came with two outs and each time the rally started with 2 out and no one on.

Pitching has to be a concern for Texas right now. They've been rocked around a little bit the last couple weeks. Hopefully Holland and Hunter can end that trend these next two nights.

Also, finally, random thought that has been bugging me. After seeing Kinsler getting plunked on a regular basis, I'm really starting to feel like Texas would be well served to charge next time that happens. You don't want to do it, but there comes a point where the club needs to stick up for Kinsler. The next time he gets hit, I say you either charge the mound or drill the opposing team's best player with a Feliz fastball. Either way...Texas needs to back it's All-Star second baseman.