Texas Rangers: Rain Dampens Chance at Series Win Against Oakland A's

It looked like the Texas Rangers might, just might, be emerging from their slump.

Then came the rain and ruined everything, postponing a perfectly good Ranger's performance.

Lefty Matt Harrison (3-4, 4.35 ERA) who's been on the losing end in his last four trips to the mound, took the rubber Wednesday against A's left-hander Gio Gonzalez (4-2, 2.68)—who has owned the Rangers of late.

Through the first four innings, it was Harrison who was in command. Despite two walks in the first inning, Harrison managed to settle down giving up only one run. Gonzalez never found a groove, giving up seven runs, all of them earned, while walking five batters and striking out one.

Rangers hitters took full advantage of some shaky pitching, including a grand slam home run by Mitch Moreland. Afterwards, Julio Borbon walked with the bases loaded to bring in David Murphy. Gonzalez was chased out of the game after 2 2/3 innings; his worst outing of the season. A's relief man David Purcey was brought in and finally closed down the rally.

The Rangers were easily on their way to their first series win in four tries. But then mother nature, very cruelly, got involved—wrecking Moreland's slam and a possible breakout for Ranger's bats. It was good news for Gonzalez, who's off the hook for the entire line.

 "It's funny when things are not going right, everything seems to go wrong," said Rangers manager Ron Washington according to the Associated Press.

"We come out swinging the bat feeling good about ourselves again and we have to lose one like this."

A strong line of thunderstorms out of the southwest brought heavy rains and lightning all across North Texas, dumping several inches on the field as ground crews hurriedly brought out the tarp. After a two hour delay, the game was postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.

The Ranger's desperately needed to take this series to end a slump that began when Josh Hamilton fractured his arm April 12. Since then, Texas has been lost in a quagmire of mediocre play culminating in only 10 wins; including last night's 7-2 win over left-handed pitcher, Brett Anderson.

Hamilton took batting practice off a tee yesterday, and again today at the Ballpark in Arlington shortly before game time. Since he began swinging, coincidentally, the Rangers put seven runs on the board before the rain and seven runs in yesterday's win.

It appears his teammates are already feeling his presence. If only mother nature would get that message. 

• Note: Rangers get a day off tomorrow and begin a weekend series against the Angels Friday in Arlington. Alexi Ogando (3-0, 2.17 ERA) returns to the mound after missing his last start due to a blister on his finger. Jered Weaver (6-2, 1.87 ERA) gets the start for the Angels.
• The A's fly back to Oakland. Their series against the Chicago White Sox starts Friday.