I promise, I promise, I promise

This will not be a fucked-up (loaded) victory post.  I promise.

Because it def ain't over yet.  Verlander goes tomorrow, and Holland and Lewis for the Rangers have not exactly inspired confidence in this series.

Sorry, you do not to get to pass Go.

There was a moment for me at work, following on my iPod touch, going to the top of the 6th (Porcello had allowed one hit and struck out six) that I was like the great Spalding Grey, "So, if we do not make it to the World Serious, at least, We had a great year!" You know, lowering your expectations to deflate your sorrow.

But the Rangers rallied, took the lead, had Alexi Ogando, the Tiger-killer in there.  It was 3-2 Rangers right when I wanted to leave, but as I punched out, after no one watching any baseball, at all, tonight, there on the break room teevee was Inge celebrating his game tying home run.  (I completely missed the thrilling Cruz/Napoli/Cabrera play at the plate on the walk home.)

I was still a nervous wreck, especially during the Ollie and Boychik Feldman innings, but Hamilton lined his second double in a row off of Valverde, and I knew then it was over.

And I hate the Fox network.  And Fox News, for good measure.  And, I cannot tell you how glad I am that this game ruined the frickin' X-factor tonight.

Mwah, ... 

Crazy play at the plate

Catchers may never block the plate again.

In yesterday's Rangers' 7-6 victory over the Royals.

They've already made a splendid "breakdancing" gif of the Royals' catcher Brayan Pena.  (Yeah, that is how his name is spelled.)  Pena had hit a three run homer earlier in the game and Feliz continues to flounder, giving up a run to the Royals in the top of the ninth.

Nellie Cruz tied the the game at six with a solo shot in the bottom of the inning and then with two out, Mike Napoli- not exactly the fastest guy in the world- took off from first on his own (?!) whilst Elvis Andrus drilled a single right behind Napoli, under the Royals' first basemen's glove.  

The Ranger third base coach then sent Napoli home.  The relay throw from Hosmer was spot-on, in plenty of time but Pena did not block the plate and applied the tag high round Napoli's shoulders well after Napoli had touched the plate.  

Pena insists the recent Posey injury had nothing to do with his being too far off the plate.  It appears Pena was anticipating Napoli running him over linebacker style, tagging him so high, instead of swiping at his legs.

I expect we will see lots more plays like this at the plate after Posey being put on the shelf for the rest of year and "looking forward" to two surgeries in the coming months.  

The MLB.com video is superb.  The first time you see it it is the Rangers' TV crew, then the Rangers' radio guys and then the Royals TV folks.  

"He's gonna be out from here to Waco.  No! They called him safe!"