Inopportunity

Feldman

The Rangers were sunk by two things last night in their 6-5 loss to the California Angels: Inopportune hitting and walks.

One I understand. The other I don't.

Not getting runners over in prime opportunities happens all the time. If it did, teams would go 162-0. But floundering against the Pirates versus floundering against the Angels are two different balls of wax.

Last night:

Third inning - Runners at corners - 1 out - 1 run
Third inning - Runners at corners - 2 out - 0 run
Fifth inning - Bases loaded - 0 out - 1 run
Eighth inning - Bases loaded - 2 out - 0 run

The biggest offenders were Nelson Cruz, Michael Young and Julio Borbon. Young with runners in scoring position, .284. Scoring position and two outs, .270. Clutch? Hardly.

And Cruz hasn't had a worthwhile hit since coming back. Singles with nobody on are worthless.

Secondly, walks. I hate walks. I don't understand walks. Strike that. I understand walking Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, Mickey Mantle or Ted Williams. Them I get.

Darren Oliver's completely unnecessary walk to Howie Kendrick was probably the play of the game.

Somehow Scott Feldman had gotten two pretty quick outs before giving up a single to the No. 8 hitter Kevin freakin' Frandsen and then consecutive singles from Jeff Mathis and Erik Aybar scored a run. Thus, Oliver.

Howie Kendrick is a pretty nice young player. Seems he can play several positions. Hits for a decent average. Drives in runs. Again, a decent average. And he never, ever, ever walks. Count 'em 12 on the season ... in 308 at-bats.

Bottomline: He's always swinging. And 73 percent of the time he is recorded as any out.

Oliver walks him. Bobby Abreu tags a hanging curve into right field. Clears the bases. Rangers lose. All with two outs. Unacceptable.

Walks are evil.