The HOT HOT Rangers

AAA: Oklahoma 11, at Omaha 3

Win: Redman (2-3, 5.70)

Oklahoma won its 5th in a row on the homers of Jason Botts, Nate Gold and Kevin Mahar. Botts also doubled, Gold (.300/.350/.508) singled and doubled, and Mahar walked. Freddy Guzman (.263/.342/.360) doubled twice and walked. Tug Hulett singled, doubled and stole his 12th base.

Mark Redman walked none and allowed three runs in seven innings. The RedHawks are employing a six-man rotation at the moment (Redman, Hurley, Simon, Koronka, Wood, Rheinecker).

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Now, I am starting to think that the Rangers season isn't exactly over. Here's my thoughts: What would happen if the Boys-in-Blue suddenly put up a winning streak of 8 games? It really wouldn't change much of where the Rangers stand. But then, let's say they do it a second time. How would two 8 game winning streaks change in where the Rangers fall in the standings? Actually, 16 wins would change a lot of things. Currently, the Ranger's record is 34-47 and they are 16 1/2 games back behind the leading LA Angels. 16 wins would not put them 1/2 game back, it would more than likely place them 8 or 9 games back. The question still remains if the Rangers can pull off two substantial winning streaks. The answer is a simple YES. Kinsler is now on the DL, joining Blalock and Tex. Padilla is on the DL, Millwood has spent time on the DL (actually, twice this season), and Brandon McCarthy is coming off the DL today. Willie Eyre and Akinori Otsuka both are banged up and are listed day-to-day, but between the two, Aki is the more concerning. He will not pitch until Wednesday at the earliest. But here's the thing, what happens when Blalock and Tex return to the lineup? What happens when Padilla returns healthy, with a healthy team to back him (and Millwood and McCarthy) up? And let's be honest, other teams are looking past the Rangers on the schedule right now. That's why the Rangers are winning against Detroit and Boston. The opponents are not taking the boys seriously. When the lineup looks right again with these guys off the DL, the winning steak will happen. It just will. And most likely, the Rangers are going to put up a winning streak or two of substantial size. Johnny Out.