Some random Rangers thoughts (on the trip, etc.)

It's easy to focus on how the trip ended and say it was a bad one. But going 4-5 through Tampa Bay, New York and Minnesota isn't bad. It isn't good, either, considering the Rangers have ground to make up if the postseason is in their future. However, going 4-5 means they arrive back home still in the hunt. Sure, they lost ground. But 3 1/2 back of the wild card and 5 back in the AL West is still in contention as they face Toronto on the final day of August. But Sunday's loss certainly hurt, considering Boston and Anaheim won. Some random thoughts: • This team sure has had a flare for close losses the last month. It's prevented them for really making a charge lately. Sunday's collapse in the eighth inning was just the latest in some disappointing defeats (see Tampa Bay last weekend, Boston the weekend before that and blowing a 4-0 lead to Minnesota on the last homestand too). Should this team not make the postseason, fans will look back on some tough, ...