Texas was expected to be one of the major leagues’ top power teams this season despite being in rebuilding mode.
The Rangers proved that premise to be true when they flexed their considerable muscle on Friday and ripped five home
runs
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11-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox in the first game of a three-game series
at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas.
The White Sox will try to get back on track with left-hander Carlos Rodon (1-2, 3.70 ERA) taking the hill Saturday to oppose ageless Rangers right-hander
Bartolo Colon (4-5, 4.72).
The Rangers’ win provided a night off for closer Keone Kela, who on Wednesday saved his 20th game in 20 chances, the longest season-opening streak in club
history. Kela broke Francisco Cordero’s 2004 record of 19 consecutive saves and
now has converted 22 straight chances dating to May 2017.
The 22 consecutive saves constitute the third-longest streak in Texas history. Kela is nine saves shy of tying Joe Nathan’s club record of 31
consecutive converted saves in 2012.
“It’s a nice comfort zone to have,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram about Kela. “Most of the saves have been clean innings.
(It has been fun) to watch the maturation process of Key out there on a nightly
basis being able to calm it down and just go pitch by pitch.”
It looks as if the White Sox will be without right-hander Miguel Gonzales for a while longer. Gonzales, who has been on the 60-day disabled list since April
18 with right rotator cuff inflammation, returned from his rehab assignment
after experiencing soreness in a throwing session after the start for Triple-A
Charlotte on Sunday.
“It’s a little setback
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mlb.com about Gonzales’ situation. “He still felt a little something so he’s
going to be re-seen, re-evaluated, and we’ll see where we go from there.”
Gonzalez opened the season in the rotation but was 0-3 with a 12.41 ERA before landing on the disabled list. This is the second time he has had to
restart his rehab.
Rodon is scheduled to make his fifth start of the season. It will be his third start on the road and fifth career start against Texas. He picked up the
win in his last start on June 24 at home against Oakland when he allowed two
runs and seven hits with three strikeouts in eight innings.
Rodon is 1-0 with a 3.91 ERA and .245 opponents’ average in his previous starts against the Rangers.
Colon will head to the mound for the 17th time this season and make his 15th start. He enters with 244 career wins, most in MLB history by a native of the
Dominican Republic. He recently passed Juan Marichal (243) and is one win shy of
matching Nicaragua’s Dennis Martinez (245) for most victories by a native of
Latin America.
Colon ranks among AL leaders in pitches per inning (fifth, 15.0) and SO/BB ratio (ninth, 4.15) but has also permitted 19 home runs, third most in the AL.
He will pitch on an extra days’ rest after taking loss in the Rangers’ 2-0
defeat on Sunday at Minnesota.
The former White Sox pitcher (12 starts in 2009) did not face Chicago in the clubs’ earlier series. He is 11-8 with a 3.84 ERA in 24 career appearances (all
starts) against Chicago.
Don Martindale wondered if he would ever get a second chance to be an NFL defensive coordinator after his one-and-done disaster
with the Denver Broncos in 2010.
The Broncos went 4-12 that season and gave up more points (29.4 per game) and yards (390.8) than any team in the league. Those miserable numbers, not
surprisingly, cost Martindale his job.
He latched on with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012 as linebackers coach. After working diligently with several stars, including Ray
Lewis
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Martindale last week was promoted to defensive coordinator.
To say he’s pleased to be in charge of an NFL defense again would be a profound understatement.
”Without a doubt,” Martindale said Thursday. ”My family knows it. Everybody knows it. My players know it. I can’t wait.”
His performance in Denver eight years ago is hardly worth putting on a resume, but Martindale believes it was a worthwhile experience.
”Even though the stats were what they were, I was really proud with how we played,” he said. ”I’m glad I went through that process because I think that
makes me a better coach today. It’s like I tell my guys: You either win or you
learn.”
Martindale’s new job with the Ravens carries the responsibility of overseeing a unit that has long been among the best in the NFL, thriving under notable
leaders such as Marvin Lewis, Rex Ryan, Chuck Pagano and Dean
Pees
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”I’ve been preparing for this job all my life,” Martindale said. ”It’s very humbling, but I understand the pressure and I look forward to the
challenge.”
Martindale takes over a defense that this season ranked 12th in net yards allowed, first in takeaways (34) and sixth in fewest points allowed (18.9). He
has no plans to revamp the unit or change the philosophy, especially since head
coach John Harbaugh stressed the need to retain continuity before launching his
search for Pees’ replacement.
Martindale will, however, put his own stamp on the unit.
”I think personality-wise, and just calls, there’s going to be some things that are the same. And then there are going to be sometimes where I’m going to
pressure more,” Martindale said. ”I just think I have a more aggressive
personality in calling the game.
Sometimes
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from the past.”
His most daunting task will be finding a way to make the defense to come up big late in the game. In 2016, a fourth-quarter collapse in Pittsburgh cost
Baltimore a playoff berth. This season, a fourth-down touchdown pass in the
final minute by Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton bounced the Ravens from the
postseason chase.
”Our mantra has always been to finish,” Martindale said. ”We’re close. Obviously, the last two years, it’s been the last play that’s knocked us out of
it. We are going to work diligently – all of us – with our package and
situational football.
”That’s going to be the next step, I think, that will skyrocket us. That’s the big thing that I see. We were really good. Let’s make it great.”
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