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Saturday, September 2, 2006
Subject: The Sammy Baugh Classic
Time: 10:22:28 PM CDT
Author: lrpatton
From 1937 until 1952 Sammy Baugh played for the Washington Redskins. He is a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Here are some of his awards:
Honors
Baugh is the last living charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Additionally he has been honored by the Redskins with the retirement of his jersey #33.
Additional Honors per Wikepedia:
- An avenue in his hometown of Rotan, Texas
- 50th Anniversary Team by the NFL (1969)
- 75th Anniversary Team by the NFL (1994)
- 36th greatest athlete of the 20th century by Burt Randolph Sugar (1995)
- 64th greatest athlete of the 20th century by ESPN (1999)
- 43rd greatest athlete of the 20th century by the Associated Press (1999)
- 3rd greatest NFL player of the 20th century by the Associated Press (1999)
- 11th greatest NFL player of the 20th century by The Sporting News (1999)
- Scripps-Howard all-time college football team (1999)
- 4th greatest college football player by Sport Magazine (1999)
- 3rd greatest college football player by College Football News (2003)
- 7th greatest college football player by Brad Rawlins (2006)
On September 8th, Sammy Baugh will be at Sweetwater Texas and the Mustang Bowl so that Sweetwater High School can finally retire his high school number of #21. Sammy Baugh has come full circle. To a kid from Sweetwater Texas, to TCU and the Washington Redskins, and back home again.
There will be a weekend of games at that site to honor one the NFL's most prolific quarterbacks and as a punter as well. Imagine seeing the 36th greatest athlete of the 20th century in the Mustang Bowl! I can't wait to be there!
Baugh's number to be retired during Classic
No. 21.
Barry Sanders wore that number at Oklahoma State when he set 34 NCAA records and won the 1988 Heisman Trophy.
Desmond Howard wore the same two digits on his Michigan uniform when he was tabbed for the 1991 Heisman Trophy.
“Neon” Deion Sanders, who received the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award while at Florida State, was the ultimate No. 21 during a thrilling NFL career.
But when the Sweetwater Mustangs were one of the elites among all Texas high school teams in the early 1930s, all eyes were on the red jersey with the deuce and one - Sammy Baugh.
Baugh was No. 21 on the Newman Park gridiron during his junior and senior seasons, but he remains No. 1 in the hearts of Sweetwater fans. Although his uniform number changed while leading then-tiny Texas Christian University to a national championship as a two-time all-American nicknamed “Slingin' Sammy” and then forever changing the NFL as a record-setting hall of famer, Baugh has attained legend status as Sweetwater's favorite son.
Retiring a jersey number is perhaps the highest honor a team can bestow on its greatest players, but the hallowed Sweetwater football program has never paid such a tribute to any of its athletes.
That will change during the pre-game ceremonies Sept. 8 when Sweetwater hosts Brown-wood in the marquee game of the three-day TSTC West Texas Sammy Baugh Classic.
The retirement of Baugh's high school number will join previous retirement of his No. 45 TCU jersey (one of only two for the Horned Frogs) and of his No. 33 Washington Redskins number (the only jersey the NFL club has ever retired).
The Sweetwater honor comes 74 years after Baugh perplexed Texas prep defenses as an offensive double threat, shedding would-be tacklers as an elusive runner and blistering secondaries as a pinpoint passer.
Now 92, Baugh lives in nearby Rotan. He and his family will be on hand for the special ceremony at midfield of the Mustang Bowl - the historic venue built just six years after Baugh finished his high school career and upon the foundation of athletic excellence established by Baugh.
Kiki Johnson, a senior wide receiver on Sweetwater's 2005 state semifinalist squad, was the last Mustang to wear No. 21, and is also scheduled to be on hand for the observance which will take the jersey from the football field to the trophy case.
The retirement of Baugh's high school number represents the crowning achievement of a football resume which includes a collegiate national championship, two NFL titles, two all-American seasons, a fourth-place finish in the 1936 Heisman Trophy balloting, seven Pro Bowl seasons, an MVP in the first Cotton Bowl and induction into three halls of fame - college, pro and Cotton Bowl.
The only void on his career ledger is a high school state championship, which his 1932 team missed by two games.
The TSTC West Texas Sammy Baugh Classic is set for Sept. 7-9 with 10 teams scheduled to participate.
Colorado City and San Angelo Grape Creek kick off the festival at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7, then Sweetwater hosts Brownwood in the 7:30 p.m. game Sept. 8.
Three games are slated for Sept. 9.
A rematch of the 2005 Youth Football League Super Bowl pits the Sweetwater Mustangs against the Abilene Raiders for a 9 a.m. game.
Jim Ned and Breckenridge square off at 2 p.m., and Roscoe meets Coahoma in the 7:30 p.m. finale.
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Monday, August 28, 2006
Subject: Harsh Words for Jackson Mississippi
Time: 7:52:43 AM CDT
Author: lrpatton
The Sports Frog was not shy when talking about going to the Saint's game over the weekend.
| Amatuer Night in Jackson, Mississippi
|
I am sure Jackson is a fine town, with plenty of good points. But, I am compelled to note, the city came off as a collection of backwater hicks when it came to being ready to stage an NFL game.
Last night, Jackson played home host for the Saints against the Colts. The Saints have been training in Jackson, and there is plenty of Saints interest down that way anyway. Add in the Peyton Manning effect, and they had a near sell-out in a pretty cool old stadium (War Memorial). Not a bad seat in the house.
Continued
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Friday, August 11, 2006
Subject: Time for Earnhardt to get moving
Time: 12:57:06 AM CDT
Author: lrpatton
Time for Earnhardt to get moving
Earnhardt needs to take care of himself, even if it means leaving DEI
Dale Earnhardt Jr. needs to sit back and do some serious soul-searching about his future. What he feels in his heart and what he knows in his head aren't necessarily on the same path.
Maybe the time is right to end his relationship with Dale Earnhardt Inc., the team his father founded. If so, it's also time to give Richard Childress a call.
Earnhardt turns 32 in October. He's on the bubble for making the Chase for the Nextel Cup after missing it last year. Even if he makes it, Earnhardt is no closer to a championship today than he was five years ago.
Earnhardt's contract with DEI expires after the 2007 season. But as we've seen the last two years, a contract won't stop a driver who wants to go elsewhere.
Despite his carefree image, Earnhardt wants to win a championship. He wants it badly.
Earnhardt isn't trying to equal his father's seven titles, but he wants to prove he's capable of finishing on top.
So Earnhardt has a couple of important questions to ask himself: Can I win a Cup title at DEI? Would my chances be better somewhere else?
Elsewhere is probably Richard Childress Racing, where his father made the black No. 3 famous.
A year ago, RCR wasn't a place where Earnhardt could improve his position. Childress failed to place a driver in the Chase the last two years. The glory days of Earnhardt Sr. were long gone.
But no team has shown more improvement this season than RCR. Two drivers – Jeff Burton and Kevin Harvick – rank in the top five and are almost assured of making the Chase. Clint Bowyer is having a strong rookie season with six top-10 finishes.
Childress is headed in the right direction. Is DEI?
Earnhardt's No. 8 Budweiser Chevy team is better this season with Tony Eury Jr. as crew chief. But the group still lacks consistency.
DEI teammate Martin Truex Jr. has struggled all season after dominating the Busch Series last year. DEI still isn't part of Cup's elite franchises in the win column.
Earnhardt wasn't happy last weekend after the Allstate 400. He finished sixth, thanks to a fortunate call on pit strategy at theend, but his car wasn't competitive.
"We can't make the Chase with 30th-place racecars," he said. "We have people here with talent, but we aren't utilizing them the way we should."
That's a telling statement on Earnhardt's true feelings, but making a decision to leave isn't easy.
This is about family obligation. DEI is his father's legacy, and it could belong to Junior someday. For now, it belongs to his stepmother, Teresa Earnhardt.
No team owner in NASCAR is more of a mystery than Teresa. She rarely attends races and tries her best to avoid the media.
Basically, she's a ghost. And it's no secret that Junior and Teresa don't always see eye to eye on how to run the organization.
For Earnhardt, the decision to join another team presents an internal struggle. Moving to RCR could be his best option, but it could hurt DEI. He could stay out of a sense of responsibility and hope things get better.
Only Earnhardt can make that call, but before he does, he should consider this question: What would his dad say?
Anyone who knew Earnhardt Sr. probably can guess. He would tell his son to do what's best for him, not what's best for DEI.
Earnhardt Sr. became an enormous success story because he did what he had to do, even if it caused him problems with family and friends.
Childress could tell Junior a thing or two about that. He gladly would add Earnhardt Jr. to RCR. And Budweiser is going wherever Earnhardt goes.
Whether he ever drives the No. 3 car (which Childress owns) is a big deal to fans, but it isn't part of the equation for now.
It's about being the best driver he can. If that means separating business from family, so be it.
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Thursday, August 3, 2006
Subject: Money going down the drain
Time: 2:08:34 PM CDT
Author: lrpatton
Written by lrpatton
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Sunday, July 30, 2006
Subject: Q&A: Ricky Bobby
Time: 9:22:19 PM CDT
Author: lrpatton
SHUQULAK, Miss. -- Almost 2,000 miles from Hollywood, Ricky Bobby is holed up at the Bee Hive Café trying to get a grasp on the boffo box-office numbers of the just-released Talladega Nights.
In the hinterlands of Noxubee County, Ricky Bobby is just another 'neck, proud to be red -- white and blue, too. And it was there, along Highway 21, that NASCAR.COM caught up with the Silver (Screen) Fox.
NASCAR.COM: How does it compare, being recognized as a box-office success compared to a stock-car driver?
Ricky Bobby: I don't know how to put this, but I'm kind of a big deal. ... I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books. I'm a man who discovered the wheel and built the Eiffel Tower out of metal and brawn. That's what kind of man I am.
NASCAR.COM: That's quite a litany of accomplishments.
Ricky Bobby: How many sarcastic pills did you take this morning?
NASCAR.COM: Apparently not enough. ... You just finished a test at Daytona in which you topped ...
Ricky Bobby: You're so wise. You're like a miniature Buddha, covered with hair.
NASCAR.COM: You topped 217 mph.
Ricky Bobby: Yeah, thanks. Took the restrictor plate off to give the Red Dragon a little more juice. But it's not exactly street legal, so keep it on the down low.
NASCAR.COM: Is the adrenaline rush that much different between 190 and 217 mph?
Ricky Bobby: It's a formidable scent. ... It stings the nostrils. In a good way. ... I'm gonna be honest with you, that smells like pure gasoline.
NASCAR.COM: Changing subjects, you're scheduled to appear Thursday night on Larry King Live. Has anyone prepped you for your close-up?
Ricky Bobby: Recent research has shown that empirical evidence for globalization of corporate innovation is very limited and as a corollary the market for technologies is shrinking. As a world leader, it's important for America to provide systematic research grants for our scientists. I believe strongly there will always be a need for us to have a well-articulated innovation policy with emphasis on human resource development. Thank you.
NASCAR.COM: ... Umm yeah, moving on. Talladega Nights premiered this weekend. What were your thoughts on seeing your life story on the big screen?
Ricky Bobby: I don't get out to the movies that much, but Bluntman and Chronic was blunt-tastic.
NASCAR.COM: Did you have any technical input on the film -- locations, music selections?
Ricky Bobby [singing]: Gonna find my baby, gonna hold her tight / Gonna grab some afternoon delight / My motto's always been, "When it's right, it's right" / Why wait until the middle of a cold dark night?
NASCAR.COM: How are you handling the media requests?
Ricky Bobby: I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly ...
NASCAR.COM: Other than an affinity for the bottle ...
Ricky Bobby: I'm gonna shoot you with a BB gun when you're not looking. Yep, back of the head.
NASCAR.COM: What, if anything, will distinguish you from the other corporate-managed drivers currently making a name for themselves in the series?
Ricky Bobby: I'm a cotton-headed ninny-muggins.
NASCAR.COM: OK ... do you think there should be a more diversified group of drivers?
Ricky Bobby: Well, I could be wrong, but I believe, uh, diversity is an old, old wooden ship that was used during the Civil War era.
Ricky Bobby's fire suit says all you need to know about Ricky Bobby. Credit: Suzanne Hanover/S.M.P.S.P.
NASCAR.COM: Is there ...
Ricky Bobby: Look, the most glorious rainbow ever.
NASCAR.COM: Is there anything ...
Ricky Bobby [picking his teeth]: Ribs. I had ribs for lunch, that's why I'm doing this.
NASCAR.COM: Is there anything that separates you from a Tony Stewart or a Jimmie Johnson?
Ricky Bobby: Put the monkey down and your hands up. Let's go, misters. Do you want to get shot? I didn't think so.
NASCAR.COM: In light of Talladega Nights, how do you think fans will remember Ricky Bobby?
Ricky Bobby: All we are is dust in the wind ...
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Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Subject: Happy 4th of July!
Time: 12:43:36 PM CDT
Author: lrpatton
I have a story to tell you all on this July 4th. I think it's a pretty good story too.
As you know, Kristi and I went to the Wounded Warriors, Fallen Heroes celebration on Sunday night. Please see the other thread if you don't know what I am talking about.
Of course, everyone has their own way of dealing with tragedy and triumph. I had my own process going on after leaving the celebration. When Kristi and I were leaving, I wasn't expecting what followed.
Kristi was pumped up! She wanted to do something. She wanted to contribute to this worthy cause in some manner. Here is her idea.
You see that small pin on her T-shirt in the above photo? Kristi makes those.
It is a pin consisting of 13 safety pins, one on top and 12 hanging from that. See the little colored beads on them? There are 108 little bitty colored beads on those safety pins to make an American flag. Each pin takes about 30-40 minutes to make.
Here is Kristi's idea. She wants to sell these pins for 1.00 each. She wants to start now and make and sell as many as she can before next year's celebration. She wants to donate the money to this organization to make sure there is an on-going tribute to our fallen and injured heroes.
Nice huh?
She doesn't do this for any self-glamor or self-rightiousness....
She simply wants to contibute in her own way....
I'll be here to encourage her.....I hope you do too.
Again, Happy 4th of July!!!!!
http://www.wwfh.us/index.html
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Thursday, June 15, 2006
Subject: Rick Monday Saved the Flag 30 Years Ago
Time: 12:19:57 PM CDT
Author: lrpatton
Rick Monday Saved the Flag 30 Years Ago
Rick Monday never tires of answering questions about that memorable day 30 years ago, when he performed his own Patriot Act and unwittingly became an icon to millions of American war heroes and their loved ones.
Monday was playing center field for the Chicago Cubs on April 25, 1976, at Dodger Stadium when he noticed two protesters kneeling on the grass in left-center, intending to burn the American flag. He immediately bolted toward them and snatched it away.
"I was angry when I saw them start to do something to the flag, and I'm glad that I happened to be geographically close enough to do something about it," said Monday, now in his 13th season as a Dodgers broadcaster.
"What those people were doing, and their concept of what they were trying to do was wrong. That feeling was very strongly reinforced by six years in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. I still think it's wrong to do that."
The Dodgers will acknowledge the event before the finale of a nine-game homestand on Sunday, two days before the actual anniversary of it. A video tribute will be shown before the game and Monday will throw out a ceremonial first pitch. On Tuesday, the Houston Astros will honor him as well when the Dodgers play the middle game of a three-game series.
Back in '76, Monday was presented with the flag in a ceremony at Wrigley Field by Dodgers executive Al Campanis. It hung in his home in Vero Beach, Fla., until a couple of years ago, when the house sustained severe damage from a hurricane. Now it's in a safety deposit box.
Monday wouldn't say how much the flag is insured for, but "you'd have to add a lot of zeros. People have offered an outrageous amount of money for it _ not that it's for sale."
The Baseball Hall of Fame recently named Monday's quick-thinking act as one of the 100 Classic Moments in the history of the game.
"Whatever their protest was about, what they were attempting to do to the flag _ which represents a lot of rights and freedoms that we all have _ was wrong for a lot of reasons," Monday said. "Not only does it desecrate the flag, but it also desecrates the effort and the lives that have been laid down to protect those rights and freedoms for all of us."
In Peter Golenbock's 1996 book, "Wrigleyville: A Magical History Tour of the Chicago Cubs," former Cubs reliever Darold Knowles recalled what happened in the aftermath of Monday's flag-saving effort.
"That put Rick on the map," said Knowles, a teammate of Monday's for two seasons in Chicago and one in Oakland. "Rick got more recognition out of the flag incident than he got as a player. He was getting letters from all over the country, all the time _ from VFWs (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and American Legions organizations. Every place we'd go, somebody would honor him with a plaque. He let us read some of the letters (from) people thanking him."
Along with the flag, Monday has a copy of the 16-mm footage taken by a fan who was at the game, as well as Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully's play-by-play of the incident. Also among his souvenirs is a copy of the now-famous photo by James Roarke of Monday just as he grabbed the flag.
Monday hit a career-high 32 home runs that season before the Dodgers acquired him from the Cubs with reliever Mike Garman, in exchange for outfielder Bill Buckner and backup shortstop Ivan DeJesus. Monday spent the final eight seasons of his career with Los Angeles, helping the Dodgers win three pennants in a five-year span.
He was the first player chosen in the very first draft back in 1965 after leading Arizona State to a College World Series title. The two-time All-Star put up some impressive numbers during his 19 major league seasons. His ninth-inning home run in the fifth and deciding game of the 1981 NL Championship Series at Montreal catapulted the Dodgers into the World Series, where they beat the Yankees in six games.
But all of that pales in comparison to Monday's most famous achievement in a baseball uniform.
"I know the people were very pleased to see Monday take the flag away from those guys," recalled Manny Mota, Monday's teammate that season and now a Dodgers coach. "I know Rick has done a lot of good things as a player and as a person. But what he did for his country, he will be remembered for the rest of his life as an American hero."
The video is here::::
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8L1rGj5l0I&search=rick%20monday_________________
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Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Subject: The last unassisted triple play
Time: 4:46:01 PM CDT
Author: lrpatton
| Phil C wrote: |
It happened a few years ago and I saw it on ESPN highlights but regretfully I didn't make a copy of the play. It doesn't happen very often and there is a word for it that I can't remember.
What happened was the there were no outs and there were runners on first and second base. The batter hit the ball to the short stop and when he hit the ball it sounded like a rocket that one would expect to rip and be an easy base hit. The two base runners took off immediately when it was hit thinking they would advance easily. The Short Stop caught made a great catch which put the batter out. The second base runner was over halfway to third so the short stop stepped over easily to the second base and tagged it and put him out. That was out number two. By now the first base runner has been running hard to get to second and realizes what is happening and tries to stop to turn back to run to first. He has too much momentum and the short stop is able to tag him for the third out.
Three outs by the same person. It is remarkable and doesn't happen often. I sure wish I had recorded it. I don't know who the teams were or the player or the exact date. |
Phil, that's called an unassisted triple play. According to the MLB Almanac, the last one happened on 5/29/2000 by Randy Velarde of the Oakland Athletics.
"I had it played perfectly. Both guys took off, it was a soft liner. I caught it. Tag, tag, that's it." - Randy Velarde
Randy Velarde of the Oakland Ahtletics turned only the eleventh unassisted triple play in the history of Major League Baseball. Joe Torre was attempting to get some action started and with runners on first and second he sent them in motion. Velarde caught a hard liner hit by Shane Spencer (first out), tagged Jorge Posada who was coming from first base (second out), then tagged Tino Martinez who was diving back into second base (third out).
Hitting & Fielding Notes
a: Grounded to pitcher for Fasano in 8th inning.
Doubles: Giambi, Jeter.
Errors: Grieve, Velarde.
Home Runs: Velarde, Williams.
Left on Base: Oakland 3, New York 5.
Triple Play: Velarde.
Triples: Williams.
Line Score
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Oakland Athletics
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 2
New York Yankees
0 0 1 0 0 2 0 1 x 4 6 0
Pitching Notes
Name IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Omar Olivares
8.0
6
4
4
2
3
1
5.65
Name IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Andy Pettitte
9.0
2
1
1
1
3
1
3.99
Batters Facin Pitcher: Pettitte 31, Olivares 33.
Ground balls-fly balls: Pettitte 17-7, Olivares 10-9.
Hit by Pitcher: Saenz (by Pettitte), Posada (by Olivares), Martinez (by Olivares).
Losing Pitcher: Olivares.
Pitches / Strikes: Pettitte 110-71, Olivares 123-77.
Winning Pitcher: Pettitte.
Game Notes
Attendance: 41,284.
Length of Game: 2:30.
Umpires: HP: Al Clark, 1B: C.B. Buckner, 2B: Rick Reed, 3B: Hunter Wendelstedt.
Weather: 63 degrees, partly cloudy, 15 mph wind right-to-left.
Fast Facts
This was the first unassisted triple play ever turned by the Oakland Athletics and the first ever turned against the New York Yankees.
Did you know that Randy Velarde was the third second baseman to turn an unassisted triple play and the first player to ever turn one on a holiday (Memorial Day)?
At the end of the game Randy Velarde said, "The chances of that happening? You have a better chance of being hit by lightning."
_________________
LewP
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Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Subject: Dale Jr. to drive black car at Talladega
Time: 8:05:47 AM CDT
Author: lrpatton
Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive a black No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet this weekend at Talladega, Ala., to honor his father's induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
"I got pretty excited when I saw the car," Earnhardt Jr. said. "I think it looks good. It'll be a lot of fun to be behind the wheel. I hope the fans will appreciate it."
The late Dale Earnhardt will be inducted Thursday night at Talladega along with Harry Gant, Janet Guthrie, Jack Roush and Humpy Wheeler.
 
HAROLD HINSON/AP Dale Earnhardt Jr. will mark his dad's 55th birthday and induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame by driving an all-black car at Talladega this weekend. "It would have been a big deal to my dad," Earnhardt Jr. said. "That's a great shrine they have there. It's one of the biggest honors in the sport. I'll be one of the first ones through the gate that night."
Earnhardt, who would have turned 55 Saturday, won six of his seven Winston Cup championships in the black No. 3 GM Goodwrench Chevy.
Along with Earnhardt Jr., the other two Dale Earnhardt Inc. drivers – Martin Truex Jr. and Paul Menard – also will have a black paint scheme for the Aaron's 499 Sunday.
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Friday, April 21, 2006
Subject: Rout for Rudy? Jaramillo visits, Rangers rock Rays
Time: 11:53:41 PM CDT
Author: lrpatton
Rangers shortstop Michael Young cleared the bases with a two-out double in the third inning. He had three doubles among his five hits and totaled five RBIs - setting or equaling three career highs.
ARLINGTON – Was it coincidence that the Rangers set season highs for runs and hits hours after hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo visited his batters for the first time since having prostate cancer surgery last month?
Maybe.
But there's no doubt it was fitting that hours after Jaramillo said hello to players and announced that he plans to return in three weeks, the Rangers ripped the ball all over Ameriquest Field for 18 hits in a 13-7 win over Tampa Bay on Friday. And they did it despite returning from a long trip in the wee hours Friday and without batting practice.
Michael Young and Kevin Mench led the offensive outburst, driving in five runs each. Young tied a career high with five hits, including three doubles – all to left field. Mench pounded his second-career grand slam and erased a four-run deficit with one out in the first inning.
For Young, Friday was a breakout game for what has already been a solid start to the season. The defending American League batting champion is once again the team's most consistent hitter with a .394 average. He has 12 RBIs, second on the club to Phil Nevin, and a league-leading 10 doubles.
"The offense is there, we just needed to find a rhythm," said Young, who batted .242 and was hitless in four of his eight games against Tampa Bay in 2005. "It took awhile to get it where we wanted it, but the offense is coming around."
Mench has a lot to do with that now that he's driving in runs. His 12 ½ -size spikes may have as much to do with it as anything. He's missed five games because of right foot problems, including turf toe, and was told by a foot specialist that his size 12 shoes were a half-size too small. He made the change during the road trip and had his first two RBIs of the season Thursday in Seattle. He continued that trend Friday with five.
"We've yet to put something together in back-to-back games," Mench said. "We were able to drive in runs and that was difference. We need to keep doing that."
The Rangers won despite the shortest and least productive start of Kameron Loe's career. He lasted just three innings and allowed six runs, including a four-run first inning thanks in part to back-to-back Devil Rays home runs.
The Rangers supplied Loe enough run support to give him a no-decision. Maybe that's only fair considering Loe pitched well enough in two previous start to get wins and didn't.
JOHN F. RHODES/DMN
Rangers shortstop Michael Young cleared the bases with a two-out double in the third inning. He had three doubles among his five hits and totaled five RBIs - setting or equaling three career highs. Loe's sinker wasn't consistent and he said he wasn't as aggressive as he should have been, leaving some pitches up in the zone. C.J. Wilson relieved Loe to start the fourth inning and pitched three good innings, allowing no runs and one hit with three strikeouts and two walks to get the win. It was important for Wilson to pitch well after giving up the winning home run in the ninth on Wednesday to Carl Everett in Seattle.
But Friday was about finding an offense at home that was, for the most part, silent the first seven games at Ameriquest Field. It didn't hurt that Jaramillo, the man who is overseeing the Rangers' potent lineup for the 12th season, provided some motivation.
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