Cliff Lee, of the Texas Rangers, doing his thing.
Things didn't go quite as planned for the Texas Rangers last night. Game 1 of the World Series at San Francisco favored the hometown boys as the Giants routed Texas with a commanding 11-7 victory. In all fairness, as SI.com's Joe Posnaski writes, fans shouldn't think it's over for Cliff Lee and the boys after just one game. Remember the ALCS when they rallied and subsequently steamrolled the Yankees after a Game 1 loss? The Rangers have definitely been in this situation before and made it work.
But there is much to be said about how last night's game unfolded. Seemingly invincible Cliff Lee faltered, his 7-0 postseason record, 1.26 ERA, and 67-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio not holding up against monstrous hits from the Giants. Freddy Sanchez smacked a record-setting three doubles off of Lee bringing the score to 5-2 in the fifth, before the Rangers turned to reliever Darren O'Day. Maybe they should have just stuck with Lee because in the same inning, Juan Uribe knocked a three-run homer bringing the Giants to a commanding 8-2 lead. Though the Rangers attempted to rally later, it simply wasn't enough.
The loss was not only a knock against a team expected to take a dominant role in the series, but it also chipped away at Lee's aura of invincibility, which could end up hurting the team where it matters most.
But the past is in the past - well, sort of - and it's on to Game 2:
Rangers vs. Giants (7:57 p.m., ET, FOX) - After last night's disappointing loss, the Rangers look to even up the Series before heading back to Texas on Thursday. All eyes will be on pitchers Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum, who struggled mightily in Game 1.
By The Numbers
30 - Number of points Dwyane Wade scored in the Heat's first victory of the season against the Sixers. After a disappointing loss to the Celtics, the Heat rebounded in their 97-87 rout of Philadelphia.
2344 - Number of passing yards Philip Rivers has racked up this season.
291 - Brett Favre's currently NFL streak of 291 consecutive games started, 315 if the playoffs are included.
The horror... the horror...
Baseball is the most difficult game to play. Each player must be able to run, hit, throw and catch. Because those four abilities are involved and there are six games remaining to be played one game at a time, I believe the Texans can get past this, even the count then move forward playing one game at a time using the four abilities while remembering the name of the great state they represent.
jim
The crew were mostly kids; rock & rollers with one foot in their grave.
hi
That's all we need some whinny texas dip stick team as mlb champions
Texas... Who Dat?
It looks like his arm is broken in that pic. Ouchies.
Clean's hit!! Captain, check Clean! It's a SF sweep!
dont be a winer loser just were cool and your not does mean you have wine like a baby