Even in a season full of dramatic downs and record lows, this one hurt. Even with no pressure and a high probability of winning, the Rangers found a new way to lose a game Sunday in Cleveland. Ouch.
Looking for his 11th victory, Yu Darvish pitched well enough to win by striking out eight and allowing only one run in seven innings. The Rangers and their paltry offense managed to scrape together a 3-1 lead into the ninth and hand the ball to new/old closer Neftali Feliz.
But then a familiar face reminded us yet again that 2014 is a lifetime from 2011. Former Ranger David Murphy tied the game with a one-out, two-run homer off Feliz to force extra innings, and Michael Brantley won it for the Indians with a lead-off homer off rookie reliever Phil Klein in the 12th.
The Indians had been 2-51 when trailing after eight innings. But this is year to set all kinds of records and stage the most improbable of comebacks against the former beasts of the American League.
The Rangers have now lost six straight on the road and 19 of 22 away from Arlington. At 43-68 they have the worst record in baseball. But in a year littered with lousy losses, put an asterisk by Sunday’s meltdown.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
