MVN - Most Valuable Network

Yankees Pummel Stunned Rangers Staff, Win Series Finale 18-7

Four miscellaneous thoughts as the Matschulat household feverishly prepares for a 4½-hour Thursday afternoon road trip down I-35 to the land of the Round Rock Express:

● Yes, manager Ron Washington was in a really tough spot with Frankie Francisco, Josh Rupe and Eddie Guardado all unavailable due to either lingering physical maladies or excessive pitch count totals. I understand that. I comprehend that.

But, at the same time, there’s no getting around the fact that Washington set flamethrowing rookie Warner Madrigal up to fail by throwing him into the fire in the manner he did. Making your big league debut in front of 50,000-plus at Yankee Stadium is bad enough, but in a one-run game against the top of a potent New York lineup? Come on.

I’m not saying the outcome would have been any different if Washington had, say, flipped Jamey Wright and Madrigal (making the former the seventh-inning guy, and the latter the eighth-inning guy). But if Wright survives and Madrigal is summoned to face a less-intimidating batch of hitters closer to the bottom of the Yankees’ batting order in the bottom of the eighth inning (a role that he is likely more comfortable in than the seventh inning, given his recent minor league work history), there’s a far better chance that this game, at the very least, doesn’t become an 18-7 rout.

Then again, I have to ask: what on earth was the team planning to do if extra innings broke out? I have to somewhat question the wisdom behind carrying Madrigal over Triple-A Oklahoma right-hander Wes Littleton, who admittedly isn’t lighting the world on fire (4.91 ERA in 36.2 IP this season), but is at least capable of going two or three innings.

Perhaps Washington was set up to fail by his own superiors. But that’s a whole lot of conjecture already.

● Rehabilitating first baseman Hank Blalock has to be seeing shades of Gerald Laird (circa 2004), when the 24-year-old backstop tore a ligament in his left thumb on a May 20th tag play at the plate, and came back from the 60-day disabled list some two months later to find Rod Barajas had taken his job. It took more than two seasons before he was able to reclaim his starting role behind the plate.

The way Chris Davis is dominating all facets of the game right now, Blalock may never get an opportunity to play first base for the Rangers. And, at this stage, I’m not certain we can classify that as such a terrible thing.

Imagine the howls of discontent that will arise from this fanbase if Davis continues smashing one home run every 6.33 at-bats (while simultaneously maintaining a batting line comparable to his current .316/.381/.824 offensive clip), and Blalock’s return forces him back to the minors?

● The next time you roll through Corsicana, Texas (home of Navarro Junior College, Davis’s alma mater) en route to Dallas, Houston, San Antonio or some point in-between, do yourself a favor and stop at the world-famous Collin Street Bakery.

You’ll thank me later.

● Turns out money can’t buy you everything, after all.

* * * * *

Dallas Morning News: Short-handed bullpen ruins Texas Rangers’ sweep dreams

With a chance to sweep New York in their final regular-season series at Yankee Stadium, the Rangers found themselves constantly trying to patch holes Wednesday.

And, no, we’re not talking about doing a little emergency carpentry on the 85-year-old stadium.

On the way to an 18-7 loss – a game the Rangers led heading to the bottom of the seventh inning – they found out that maybe their roster is just a bit short of being a full-fledged contender at the time.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Texas Rangers’ Josh Hamilton up for Derby

A virtual lock to be in the starting outfield for the American League for the 79th All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium on July 15, the Texas Rangers’ Josh Hamilton has already informally accepted a preliminary invitation from Major League Baseball to participate in the Home Run Derby on the day before the game.

Hamilton declined to confirm whether he had been asked but a source close to the situation verified that Hamilton had been approached by someone with MLB.

Asked if he would participate if officially invited, Hamilton responded “absolutely.”

Dallas Morning News: Texas Rangers’ Feldman to get extra rest

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels disputed reports that 16-year-old Dominican right-hander Michel Inoa rejected a bonus offer of $5.2 million to sign with Oakland for $1 million less.

Daniels said the Rangers were prepared to offer Inoa more, but that Inoa’s agents said the pitcher had already committed elsewhere.

“We’ve scouted Michel for more than two years; our guys probably know him as well or better than anyone else,” Daniels said. “We were prepared to offer him significantly more than he ended up signing for. Unfortunately, we were told we wouldn’t have that chance, as he was committed elsewhere. That’s the way it goes in that market sometimes.”

Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Texas Rangers’ Ian Kinsler tough to catch

Ian Kinsler’s next stolen base will take him into uncharted personal territory.

His three steals Tuesday night pushed him to 23 for the season, matching his career high set last year with almost half a season to go. His minor league high was 19 at Oklahoma City in 2005.

He has been caught only once this season and that was on a pickoff play. He hasn’t been caught by a catcher since last September. His 95.8 percent success rate (23-of-24) is second in the majors.

Baseball Prospectus: Future Shock: AL West Notebook

All but buried in a rotation that includes top prospect Neftali Feliz and 2007 top pick Blake Beaven, six-foot-five lefty Derek Holland is making a name for himself with a 2.64 ERA in 15 starts, and generating the scouting buzz to match. Southpaws who can touch 95 mph are a rare commodity, and Holland has done that this year, although his heat usually sits in the low 90s; he’s missing bats with both his heater and a plus changeup. His slider is average, and there are some concerns about him throwing across his body, but his size and the two plus offerings have him on a lot of people’s radar these days.

FOXSports.com: Red Sox might be wise to wash hands of Manny

The Rangers will be a team to watch at the deadline, acting as both a possible buyer for bullpen help and seller of veteran talent. Right-hander Vicente Padilla, the subject of inquiries from the Mets, Yankees and Brewers, among other clubs, is perhaps their most intriguing commodity. The Rangers, however, only would move Padilla if they received quality young pitching in return.

Padilla, who turns 31 on Sept. 27, is on pace to produce 14-plus wins and 200-plus innings for the fourth time. His contract — $11 million this season and $12 million next season with a $12 million option for 2010 — isn’t terribly excessive for that type of performance. And his makeup, an issue in previous stops, has not been a problem in Texas.

MLB.com: Young leaves game against Yanks

Rangers shortstop Michael Young left Wednesday’s game with the Yankees after three innings with what club officials said was a “mild strain of his left groin muscle.”Young had a similar problem earlier this year against Tampa Bay and ended up missing just one game. He has also been dealing with a sore left calf muscle and a hairline fracture in the tip of his ring finger on his left hand.

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