Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Texas Rangers Notes: C.J. Wilson, Mitch Moreland, Mike Napoli

Twitter   Facebook


Not a lot to talk about today by way of trade rumors but I will give you one interesting nugget I was able to scrounge up. The rest is just little odds and ends from the Rangers' walk off win over the Astros on Tuesday night.

C.J. Wilson Struggles With Command

C.J. Wilson C.J. Wilson #36 of the Texas Rangers pitches during the game against the Houston Astros at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on June 21, 2011 in Arlington, Texas.
Rick Yeatts/Getty Images

For a guy who took over the role of the 'ace' in the starting rotation, C.J. Wilson has handled the duties better than most expected he would.

Once in awhile, he can get away with struggling once in awhile, so long as the Rangers come out with a win. Such was the case on Tuesday night against the Houston Astros. Wilson gave up four runs and 11 hits through six and two-third innings.

Luckily, his offense picked him up thanks to a game-tying home run from Josh Hamilton and a game winning walk-off blast from Mitch Moreland. His second home run in as many nights.

Mitch Moreland Mitch Moreland #18 of the Texas Rangers hits a walk off home run in the bottom of the eleventh inning to win the game 5-4 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on June 21, 2011 in Arlington, Texas.
Rick Yeatts/Getty Images

Mitch Moreland Swingin' a Sweet Bat

After Monday night's 455-foot bomb, Moreland admitted he did watch it just a little bit. On Tuesday night, there was no doubt he admired his work on another bomb to right field, this one of the walk-off variety in the 11th inning.

The very first pitch Moreland saw he sent deep into the Texas night and about 15 rows back in the second deck. Sending his teammates jumping dugout railing and over to home plate to await the impending celebration.

It was Moreland's second blast in as many nights. If his bat stays hot, the Rangers could get on a much needed winning streak as they head towards the All-Star break.


Mike Napoli on the Trading Block?

Texas Rangers Adrian Beltre, left, and Mike Napoli celebrate after both scored on Yorvit Torrealba's double in the ninth inning of the Rangers' win Saturday afternoon.
Jeff Chiu/Associated Press
Last week, CBS Sports' Danny Knobler had a blog talking about the San Francisco Giants' interest in Rangers' catcher, Taylor Teagarden.

A week later, Knobler seems to think the Rangers will deal Mike Napoli to the Giants once he's ready to be activated from the disabled list.

I can see the Rangers dealing Teagarden especially seeing the kind of struggles he's had with the big club. I don't see them dealing Napoli at all and there's no reason to do so.

He's a better hitter than Teagarden and Napoli can not only back up starter Yorvit Torrealba behind the plate but also give manager Ron Washington a decent defensive option at first base.

The Giants need catching especially after the season ending injury to Buster Posey. But don't expect the Rangers to engage them where Napoli is concerned. Unless there's a solid No. 2 or No. 3 starter coming back in the deal.

No comments:

Post a Comment