B-Mac, Dribblin', and A Letter to George Steinbrenner

Well after his complete game shutout at Houston, there was much interest in how Brandon McCarthy would encore the performance of his short, injury plagued career. McCarthy would only pitch 6 innings, but it wasn't for lack of quality stuff. After the first inning in which he gave up one run, on 3 walks, and a ground rule double, McCarthy would give up only 2 hits over his next 5 innings. After which Wash took the oppurtunity of a 10-1 lead, to get the refreshingly neglected bullpen some work. On the offensive side of the ball, Texas took care of Oakland by the third inning on consistent at-bats. To start the 4th Hank Blalock, and Marlon Byrd hit back to back homers. That's Byrd's second homerun in as many days. Texas would continue to pile on runs throughout the game and win 14-1.

Today's game was much different. Kevin Millwood started and for only the third time this year did not go seven innings. But starting Millwood would labor through 2 innings giving up 2 hits, one walk, and 2 fielding errors, but in that span he only gave up one run. He would throw 3 more innings with solid efficiency, but give up his second homerun of the game in the 6th. Down 4-0 in the bottom of the 7th, after a shaky inning from Derek Holland, Blalock and Byrd would jumpstart an inning in this game as well. This time the Hammer singled, and Byrd doubled him to third. After a shallow flyout from David Murphy, Salty would double the pair in to cut Oakland's lead in half. Elvis Andrus and Ian Kinsler would both follow by striking out swinging. In the bottom of the 8th Michael Young would start a crowd pleasing inning with a single on an effective swinging bunt. Nelson Cruz would walk with one out, to once again bring up the duo of Hank Blalock and Marlon Byrd again, who already had significant contributions to the series. They would both get RBI singles to tie up the game at 4-4. Going top 9 San Frankie came in and tossed his usual quick inning, however he gave up an upperdeck tape measure shot to Adam Kennedy for his second homerun of the day. Going to the bottom of the 9th, the ever ailing Josh Hamilton pinch hit for Elvis Andrus, who had struck out twice already. Hamilton would start of the inning with a long single down the left field line. The next batter Kinsler would ground right into a double play, leaving it up to Young. He would once again only squib the ball to the pitcher, this time grounding out, spoiling the Rangers comeback efforts.

Dear Mr. George Steinbrenner,

I am sorry to inform you of this, but while you may think you are a genius, I feel it is my duty to set you straight. I understand that you can no longer get the constant excitement and press that homeruns provide, due to the ever expanding ban on performance enhancing drugs. As well you should know that if no one else I am on to you. But your idea is outrageously controversial. I must inquire as to why you would tear down a building, that should be a national landmark, rather than just close it. But that isn't the point I'm trying to make. I am here to let you know that I know you only built the new Yankee Stadium so the homeruns won't leave with the steroid era. Well unfortunately for you this angle helps out not only the Yankees, but as well their opponents. It is my sincerest hope that this wrong blows up in your face. And I'll also let you know the method of legally setting up homeruns, through building a compact stadium, instead of steroids has been used. I certainly hope you've heard of Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. If not, that is where the Rangers, you know that teams you're always mooching off, plays. I know you must know about them. We would've been glad to pass on our technique rather than our players, but to each your own I suppose.

With lack of Respect,
H.M.C. IV*