Rangers FAIL TO CAPITALIZE WITH BASES LOADED AND NO OUTS

After giving up a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the 8th inning, the Rangers, perhaps inspired by playing in their final game at the Metrodome, load the bases with no outs in the bottom of the ninth against one of the games best closers.  Despite having the odds stacked against them, the Twins held off Texas’s late efforts and send them back to Arlington with a 3-5.

The Minnesota Twin closer Joe Nathan, now with 34 saves, on the season started the top of the 9th by walking The Texas Rangers first baseman Hank Blalock. Blalock was able to come back from a 1-2 count to draw the walk. Following the free pass Nathan gave to Blalock, Nelson Cruz needed just two pitches before singling to left field.

Now the Rangers had the go ahead run up at the plate, runners on first and second with no outs, and the man at the plate, newly-acquired Ranger legend, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez.

Here is where Nathan set himself up for a potential blown save, but not for his pitching. Rodriguez hit a ground ball right back to the Nathan. Since the twins had a 2-run lead, Nathan ignored Blalock who was advancing to the third base, and instead went straight to second base with his throw.

Unfortunately for Nathan, the throw was off target and he was charged with a throwing error. After seeing their 3-2 lead disappear just a half-inning ago, it looked like Texas had a found a way to bounce back.

The Rangers young shortstop Elvis Andrus was a quick three swinging strikes and the fans in Minnesota were on the feet again. Ranger DH Julio Borbon made Nathan work a little harder than Andrus, but a shallow fly out to the left fielder did not allow Blalock to try a sacrifice at third base.

In the span of nine pitches, the Rangers went from bases loaded, no outs, and down by two runs, to bases loaded, two outs, and down by two runs. But, the Rangers did have one of their All-Stars up at the plate, third baseman Michael Young.

You could feel the tension in the stadium through the television, and see the sweat pouring off of Nathan’s face. As dramatic as the scene was, the action did not prove much. Young quickly went after the first pitch and dribbled a ground ball to the Twins third baseman Brendan Harris. Harris fielded the play and hopped over to third base ending the game and much relief to Nathan.

The Rangers (72-57) took a 3-2 lead in the top of the 7th inning after Cruz hit his 28^th homerun of the season. It was a two-run shot of off Scott Baker. Kinsler was on first after leading off the inning with a single to center.

In the bottom of the 8^th, the Rangers still had a 3-2 lead and now had C.J. Wilson on the rubber. Wilson quickly got into trouble by walking lead off batter Justin Morneau. Morneau’s walk was followed up by Jason Kubel’s single to center after whiffing on the first two pitches.

Then the Ranger defense started hurting themselves. Wilson got Michael Cuddyer to strike out, but Harris singled out to left where Cruz bobbled the ball, allowing Morneau to score easily from second to tie the game. Cruz was charged with the Rangers only error of the game. His error also allowed the Twins base runners to move up a base, with just one out runners were on second and third.

The Twins’ next batter scored drove in another after grounding out on a fielder’s choice to Blalock scoring a run and giving Minnesota a 4-3 lead. A Nick Punto squeeze play added the final of the three runs for the Twins in the bottom of the 8^th, and a 5-3 lead.

Wilson (4-6, 3.30 ERA), threw just 27 pitches and gave up three hits, one strike, one walk, and three runs, all earned.

The Rangers starter, Kevin Millwood (10-8, 3.61 ERA), went six strong for Texas, giving up 2 runs and only six hits.

With the win, the Twins are back at .500 (65-65) and trail the Chicago White Sox by only 4.5 games in the American League Central. The Sox lost again to the Yankees today 8-3.

The Texas Rangers (72-57) are still in second place for the American League Wild Card, but trail the Boston Red Sox by 3.5 games. The Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 7-0 in Fenway.

The Rangers open up a 4-game series against the Blue Jays at home tomorrow night. The Rangers ended this last road trip with a 4-5 record. After the series with Toronto, they will travel to Baltimore then Cleveland.