Katherine and I went to the Ballpark in Arlington yesterday evening. It was our fifth visit of the season. After starting out with three victories, we have lost twice, for a record of 3-2. Yesterday, the dastardly New York Yankees beat the Rangers, 4-1. It was another beautiful evening. I wore shorts and sandals and never got cold. The temperature was 86º Fahrenheit at game time and had dipped to 78º by the finish. (We Texans consider it cold when it's in the 60s.) The Yankees usually play long games, but this one took only 2:47. I was glad, since I had to get up early (5:50) for a bike rally this morning. (Details on the bike rally in due course.)
The game was frustrating. Usually, in a given game, close calls divide about evenly. I don't think the Rangers got one close call the entire game. We were also robbed a few times by spectacular catches by the Yankees. Curtis Granderson, who is impossible to dislike, set the tone early with a two-run home run, and later he added a solo shot. The Rangers were able to muster only three singles all evening. Because we fell behind so quickly, the 49,069 fans were never in the game. I think there was more cheering for the Yankees than for the Rangers, which is disgusting.
Did you know that our leadoff hitter, Ian Kinsler, is hitting only .223? I have no idea why manager Ron Washington keeps him in that position. All he does is swing for the fences, which means lots of popups and fly-ball outs. The man is a brain-dead weasel. I know he's a Ranger, but I dislike him intensely. I'd trade him in an instant if I were the general manager.
Mariano Rivera pitched well in relief. He struck out two of the three batters he faced and threw 10 strikes in 14 pitches. I still think he should have retired years ago. Ha!
Addendum: The image in this post (click to enlarge) was made from the right-field stands, as Katherine and I walked around the ballpark before the game. The field was being sprayed and players were stretching. The sun was partially blocked by the ballpark. I wouldn't mind sitting in this part of the ballpark, but you can't see the scoreboard from there.
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 