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Ok, first things first, though. Kyle Kendrick was awesome today. Seven strong innings, one run, scattering five hits and a walk against four strikeouts. Maybe not Cy Young caliber, but certainly better than that Cliff Lee joker we ran out there a couple days ago. Plus, you know...
kendrick looks like roy oswalt with plastic surgery
— Fernando Tatis (@FTatis23) April 3, 2014
Behind Kendrick, the Phillies scraped together a modicum of offense against Texas' Robbie Ross, an unexpectedly good lefty. Carlos Ruiz went 2 for 4 with a double and scored two runs and Ryan Howard hit a two-run homerun off the lefty, as the Phillies put up a 3-1 lead over the Rangers, before the game was turned over to the bullpens in the eighth.
Enter Mario Hollands. Hollands, fresh off a dismal meltdown in last night's game--his major keague debut--mowed through the heart of the Rangers' order (Shin Soo Choo, Elvis Andrus and Prince Fielder) in a 1-2-3 eighth. Nice showing, kid.
Ok, now, ninth inning, 3-1 lead, closer time, right?
Jonathan Papelbon is, unfortunately, that guy. Let's grade his performance.
Adrian Beltre led off with a single to left. Now, there's really no shame in being beaten by Beltre, he's a solid all-around hitter. So, call this a C. Good effort, Papelbon.
Alex Rios struck out, and, you know, he's not a bad hitter himself, so, hey, not bad. Maybe we're heading north with a 2-1 record! A+.
That brought up Mitch Moreland, who promptly doubled to right. Marlon Byrd got the ball back in in a hurry, keeping the run off the board, so, no immediate damage, but this is a dangerous situation. Luckily, Moreland is really the last of the power threats in the Rangers' lineup, so, okay, we can deal with this. C-.
Jim Adduci. Who the fuck is Jim Adduci? Whoever he is, Adduci rolled one to third, and was able to beat out the throw from Cody Asche. Beltre scored, and Moreland moved up to third. Still a 3-2 lead at this point. But, seriously, Gooberbon, who the fuck is Jim Adduci? D-.
That brought rookie pitching coach Vladimir Putin to the mound for a quick visit, a breather, and, in turn, Leonys Martin to the plate. Martin has a career OPS of .696. So, of course, he singled through the middle, scoring Moreland, and moving Adduci to third. Man. F. Tie game. Papelblownsave. Of course, immediately after this play, Pap666elbon decided it would be worth a solid deathstare back at Chase Utley. Man, Paps, I hate you, but I gotta say, bad life decision there dude. Still, gotta dock you. F-----. That's an F minus minus minus minus minus. Not good, buddy. Still, not over yet.
Donnie Murphy drew a walk. Seriously? What the fuck Paps? You walked Donnie Murphy? Donnie Murphy has been a major league hitter since 2004, and he has 54 fucking walks. FIFTY FOUR WALKS! IN TEN YEARS! What the hell? F--------------------. That's an F with twenty minuses. That's like a negative A. But, again, not over.
Bases loaded, and Passholebon has stumblefucked his way around to the top of the order... bringing up Choo. Choo, he of the .390 career on-base percentage.
Jonathan Papelbon walked Shin-Soo Choo with the bases loaded. I mean, as terrible as this is, it's just itself. It is what it is. I can't even grade this. Papshits gets a ∅. You just gotta laugh.
Yep, Jaguarsguy, I have no idea why the Human Garbage Disposal is so horrible. Or exists. No idea.
Hrm.
Ok, let's try a different tack. Here are some kittens.
— Emergency Kittens (@EmrgencyKittens) April 3, 2014
Better? I thought so.
Let's real quick go aroundtheleaguearoundtheleaguearoundtheleague.
No one else has a Papelbon, right? Ok, good.
And, just to put to bed the "everything's bigger in Texas" jokes for the 2014 season...
See ya next year, Rangers. Good night all.