Game 52: Lewis Good, But Rangers Falter – Plus Lineups

Yesterday, I said this was an important game for Colby Lewis and the Rangers. Lewis did his part, and for the most part the Rangers did theirs but it just was not enough as the Angels came out with a 4-2 victory to pull within 4.5 games of the Rangers.

Mike Trout was the Angels best player. He drove in three runs, including the two winning runs and scored the fourth on an Albert Pujols sacrifice fly.

Again, it came down to the defense. Had Ian Kinsler made that play, the Rangers would have been out of the inning. But, again one mistake costs the Rangers as their lackluster play continued.

Yesterday I said that the game was the most important game of the season so far. That now transfers over to tonight. If the Angels can pull another game closer, then the Rangers strong start means absolutely nothing. And the worst part is, there is nothing different about the Ranger team from April and the Ranger team now. It is just a matter of execution and that is even more frustrating.

Tonight, another battle of Yu Darvish and C.J. Wilson. A matchup that means more to Ranger fans and to Wilson than any other start. Hopefully, it may last more than one inning, weather permitting. And, yesterday I said Lewis needed to be the stopper, but in an important game is there anyone else you would rather have pitching this game than Darvish. He is not your ordinary rookie and he certainly has had ups and downs, but since he has become adjusted to the Major Leagues, he seems to be the Rangers best starter at this point in the season.

Tonight’s lineups
June 2, 9:05 CST

Texas (31-21, 1st AL West)
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Elvis Andrus, SS
Josh Hamilton, LF
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Michael Young, DH
Nelson Cruz, RF
Mike Napoli, 1B
Yorvit Torrealba, C
Craig Gentry, CF
P: Yu Darvish, RHP (7-2, 3.25 ERA, 3.85 FIP)

Angels (27-26, 2nd AL West 4.5 GB)
Mike Trout, CF
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Albert Pujols, 1B
Kendrys Morales, DH
Mark Trumbo, LF
Torii Hunter, RF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Erick Aybar, SS
Bobby Wilson, C
P: C.J. Wilson, LHP (6-4, 2.77 ERA, 3.54 FIP)