Kerr Shows His Claw, Part 2
I’m still trying to pick my jaw up off the floor in the wake of last night’s disastrous second game of the World Series. So reliving it this morning is kind of painful. But I promised 13-year-old Jack Kerr that we would post his reports on each game of the Fall Classic. Break it down, Jack.
Rangers’ Late-Inning Disasters Continue
By JACK KERR
The Rangers came into Game 2 knowing a win wasn’t desperately needed, but one would definitely help their cause heading back to Arlington. The Rangers again ran into a wall, aka Matt Cain. Cain pitched majestically, throwing 7 and 2/3 scoreless innings. Some credit can be given to the Rangers’ lack of clutch hitting. The Rangers were 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position. Texas was shut out for only the sixth time this entire year.
Even with the poor hitting display, C.J. Wilson pitched a gem. Wilson had given up only one run through the sixth. The problem was his injury. Wilson suffered a blister on his throwing hand and was taken out of the game in the seventh, which came back to haunt the Rangers. Darren Oliver came out of the bullpen first and allowed a soft single, just out of second baseman Ian Kinsler’s reach, that made deficit 2-0.
Then the dreaded eight inning came. The Giants led off with a hit on Oliver. Then, smelling trouble, pitching coach Mike Maddux went to his young lefty, Derek Holland. Holland had been amazing leading until tonight, when he walked three straight to give a run to the Giants. Maddux had had enough and called in Mark Lowe, a component from Seattle in the Cliff Lee deal. Lowe came in and walked the bases loaded once more, making the score 4-0. Lowe gave up a two-run single to the next hitter, making the score 6-0. Then Michael Kirkman came in for Lowe with two men on and it got worse. Aaron Rowand tripled and drove in two more to the Giants an 8-0 lead. Then the Giants struck their final blow, a double by Andres Torres, making the final score 9-0.
The Series now moves back to Arlington. i think the Rangers need all the fans they can get to provide what only a couple of communities can — a situation uncomfortable for the opposing team. Game 3 is a must win for the Rangers. The Rangers are brining Colby Lewis to the mound against the Giants’ Jonathan Sanchez. The Rangers have to be able to have clutch hits in this game to pull out the win. If the Rangers win this game, the series changes dramatically. If they don’t, a tough road lies ahead.
