Walks have been quite the problem for the Texas Rangers' starting pitchers so far this season, which is a definite change from last season when the Rangers were 24th in MLB in walks allowed.
Ironically, the Rangers are still 24th in the league in walks allowed, but that number has been increasing quickly over recent weeks as the hot start from the Rangers' starting rotation has cooled off dramatically and the Rangers have played .500 baseball over the last 20 games.
Scott Feldman walked the bases loaded in the second inning on Wednesday in his first start since the injury to Neftali Feliz and managed to escape with just one run allowed. Walks struck again in the fifth and this time Alex Liddi made him pay when he took Feldman deep for a grand slam to chase him from the game with five walks in 4 1/3 innings.
In the three-game series against the Mariners, the Rangers issued 15 free passes (13 by the starters) against a team that struggles offensively and one you certainly don't need to give free base runners to. The Mariners scored seven of their 12 runs over the three games via the walk.
To put it simply, that's unacceptable, especially against an anemic lineup like the Mariners'.
