Rangers come up short in Game 7, Series
It's hard to know what to say after a World Series like that. For the second year in a row, the Rangers failed to bring the big trophy back to Arlington.
As I watched last night, I had a sense of peace. Far more than I had during Game 6. Maybe I was still feeling beat down for Game 6. Or maybe, because of the horrendous way we lost Game 6, I had prepared myself for a Series loss. I wouldn't necessarily say I expected one though.
I felt good with Matt Harrison on the mound. I liked seeing that Nelson Cruz and Mike Napoli were back in the lineup even though they were undoubtedly hurting. As I watched my boys play the game, they didn't look defeated. They still looked like they were playing to win a championship.
The Rangers bats got off to a good start, scoring two runs in the 1st inning. They might have had more if not for a base running mistake by Ian Kinsler. He led off with a hit and then got picked off at first base. Elvis Andrus walked, and then Josh Hamilton doubled him home. Michael Young doubled Hamilton home.
The Cardinals got those runs right back in their half of the 1st, thanks to a double by the World Series MVP David Freese. They went up 3-2 in the 3rd, but I still felt like my boys were very much in this. The 5th inning kind of dampered those hopes though. Scott Feldman took over on the mound and with one out, he walked Allen Craig and then hit Albert Pujols. Lance Berkman grounded out, but then Feldman intentionally walked Freese. What have I said all season, kids? Walks kill. And they certainily did. Feldman walked Yadier Molina to bring in a run before he was finally done. C.J. Wilson came on and hit the Raphael Furcal with the first pitch he threw. That brought in another run before Wilson recorded an out. The inning could have been a lot uglier, but it was plenty ugly for me.
The Cardinals scored again in the 7th, but it didn't really matter. The Rangers could not get anything going offensively after that. The 8th and 9th were so quick, I hardly remember what happened in them.
Such a sad end to such an awesome season for my Rangers.
KISS: Ian Kinsler. He was 2 for 3 with a walk. I still really wish he hadn't been picked off in the 1st, but I appreciate his efforts none the less.
MISS: Scott Feldman. Three walks and two allowed runs in two-thirds of an inning. Oh, Scooter.
FINAL SCORE
Rangers :: 2 R, 6 H, 6 TLOB
Cardinals :: 6 R, 7 H, 1 E, 8 TLOB
Post-game thoughts
I'm really not as sad as I thought I'd be. Sure, I'm disappointed, but I think I expelled most of my anger and distress after Game 6. That was the one that killed me. Game 7 did not.
I think Chris Carpenter was robbed. He should have been the World Series MVP. I know David Freese had a really good offensive showing, but his defense was horrendous. Carpenter pitched three of the games in the series, including one on three days rest. He was 2-1 in those starts, allowing six runs in 19 innings of work.
I've never hated National League baseball rules more than I do now.
I've also never been so disgusted that the All-Star Game decides home field advantage.
I've never loved my boys more though. They gave me a really great season. Even though it didn't end like I hoped, I have to remember that there were good times. Lots of them. Even though I'm disappointed they couldn't close it out in Game 6, I'm proud of what they accomplished. I like this group of guys a lot, and although some of the faces might not still be with the team in 2012, I will never forget this 2011 team. Let's get back to the series again next year, Rangers. Third time's a charm?
