It has come to this: The Rangers are tipping their cap to Drew Smyly.
Texas hitters were embarrassingly hapless against the Rays’ starter Monday night in Arlington, allowing him to establish career highs in innings (7.2) and pitches (116) in recording his first victory for Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, Colby Lewis walked too many batters, contributing to a lackluster 7-0 loss.
But it wasn’t just that the Rangers managed only three hits and four base-runners. It was that their swings were horrendous, as if Smyly was throwing wiffle ball junk at dusk.
“You got to tip your cap,” the Rangers’ Daniel Robertson told reporters after the game. “He pitched well tonight.”
Smyly, who joined Tampa from Detroit in the trade for David Price, improved to 7-10. It’s one thing to tip your cap to Justin Verlander or Felix Hernandez, but to Drew Symly?
Ouch.
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.
