Rangers Bats Done In By D-Train

Detroit beat Texas for the ninth consecutive time in the friendly confines, fueled by a surprisingly phenomenal performance from Dontrelle Willis, and four one-run innings against Brandon McCarthy.

 

Given, a loss is a loss.

 

But in the loss, Texas retained several of the relatively new, and wholly necessary qualities that have propelled them into first place in the A.L. West.

 

Brandon McCarthy, for example, got off to a rough start, and weathered several runs en route to allowing four runs over seven innings of work.

 

It certainly wasn’t the best start of McCarthy’s career, but it was good enough, in most cases with these Rangers, to win.

 

Kris Benson, who hadn’t pitched in 12 days, came in for the eighth, surrendering a hit and no runs.

 

Aside from a Brandon McCarthy throwing error, Texas’ defense continued to excel.

 

None of this is significant consolation; of that I am sure.

 

But the plan, so touted and wondered about this offseason, seems to be working, in good times and bad. Of course, McCarthy didn’t get the win. But he did (a) pound the strike zone, throwing 72 of his 118 pitches for strikes, and (b) go past seven innings.

 

Both of these are indicative of success for pitchers in almost any case.

 

So, why did we lose?

 

Good pitching beats good hitting. And on Tuesday night, Texas ran into some extremely good pitching. Willis combined with Brandon Lyon, Bobby Seay, Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney to limit the Rangers to one hit, a Michael Young double.

 

Then again, I suppose, it could just be the curse of that manicured house of doom called Comerica Park.

 

Texas will play Detroit in game two of the three game set on Wednesday night in Detroit.