Josh Hamilton's Ninth Inning Heroics Against the Angels Proves a Point

Why not us?

That seemed to be the Texas Rangers rallying cry minutes after Josh Hamilton belted a walk-off homerun Wednesday night. Francisco Rodriguez, arguably the best closer in the first half of the season, hung a 3-1 breaking ball and watched it squeak over the right field fence at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington as Hamilton jogged around the bases in joy.

Hamilton notched his 20th dinger of the season and his 89th RBI in as many games.

The Texas Rangers are quickly becoming the surprise team of 2008. This young team has been winning games with defense, big bats, and pitching that is quickly becoming "good enough."

Allow me to make a comparison to football. Take for example the 2000-2001 Baltimore Ravens. They had a dominant defense, great running game, and average quarterback in Trent Dilfer. Dilfer was basically asked not to lose games for their team.

This Rangers team can relate. If their starting pitchers keep them in the games, the big bats usually provide enough pop to get the W.

For the second night in a row, the Rangers have thrown a rookie pitcher to make his first major league start against the division leading Angels. Who said the Rangers had no pitching? Both games were one run wins that were won late in the game.

"My first walk-off ever, my first helmet toss ever," Hamilton remarked after the game. "When something like that happens, it reminds you how much you love playing this game."

Hamilton, although still driving in runs, had been lacking with the long ball. He had not hit a homerun since June 17. What a great way to break the streak.

The Rangers close out the series against the Angels tonight as they face veteran John Lackey. Lackey is 6-2 this year with a 1.93 ERA. If the Rangers need some kind of validation after last night, this is the perfect place to start.

Scott Feldman, arguably the Rangers most consistent and durable pitcher this season, faces Lackey. Feldman is our Trent Dilfer. He produces quality starts (six innings pitched with three ER allowed), and lets the rest of the game play itself out.

This division rivalry will be re-visited later in the second half of the season, but how much better could it get than to close out the first half of the season by taking three out of four against the Halos?