Monroe Gets 3 Outfield Assists as Rangers Lose Fourth of Five

by user ASwaff

For what seems like the fifteenth time in the last week, the Texas Rangers failed to capitalize on a strong offensive attack, falling last night in the ninth inning to the Detroit Tigers. Although the Rangers managed 10 hits against former Ranger Kenny Rogers last night, Texas only plated two runs thanks to a defensive menagerie by outfielder Craig Monroe.

Monroe's first outfield assist came in the second inning. After a leadoff single by Carlos Lee, Mark DeRosa flew out to left field. Lee got thrown out at second trying to tag up. Monroe victimized Lee again in the fourth inning, throwing him out at home on a line drive single by Hank Blalock. Don't even get me started on why Lee would be sent home in the fourth inning on a single to left field. Monroe picked up an incredible third assist of the night in the seventh, when Ian Kinsler attempted to score from second on another line drive single to left field. Although Gerald Laird scored on the play to take a 2-1 lead, the throw out at home ended an opportunity at a big inning for the Rangers.

On top of the baserunning mistakes, the Ian Kinsler and Michael Young each grounded into a double play. Two double plays and three outfield assists...it was just that kind of night for the Rangers.

On the offensive end, it was Carlos Guillen getting the job done for the Tigers. He opened up the scoring with a solo homer in the second inning, and then closed the game with a solo homer to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning. The homeruns, one coming from the left side of the plate and the other coming from the right, were Guillen's 18th and 19th homeruns of the season.

Vicente Padilla was the victim of the Rangers' offensive woes, getting the no-decision despite holding the team with the best record in baseball to two runs over seven innings. He allowed just five hits, but two of them were solo homeruns (one by Guillen and another by Marcus Thames to tie the game in the 7th). Wes Littleton came on in the 8th and pitched a hitless inning.

But, in the 9th, Buck Showalter went with Ron Mayhay (aka - Mayday). Bringing in the lefty may have seemed like the smart thing to do, as Guillen bats about 50 points lower against leftys than rightys, and with left-hander Sean Casey behind him in the lineup. Mayday quickly fell behind Guillen, 3-0, before battling back to a full count. But, his sixth pitch didn't come back, as Guillen launched a no-doubter into the seats in left field to win the game.

With the loss, the Rangers fall to 4-5 against the Tigers on the year. It was their fourth loss in their last five games.

The Rangers will be looking to earn a two-game series split tonight at the take on the Tigers at 6:05 CST. ESPN will broadcast the game, which will pit right-hander Kevin Millwood (14-10, 4.49) against right-handed rookie phenom Justin Verlander (16-7, 3.19). Last time Verlander faced the Rangers, he struck out seven and held them to two hits over seven innings.

Date

Wed 09/13/06, 9:00 am EST