http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/781 Recent articles about Frank Francisco en-us The C.J. Wilson dilemma deepens after yet another shaky ninth-inning effort dooms the Texas Rangers to a demoralizing 5-2 loss. Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:37:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/280071 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/280071 Doug Mathis and the Texas Rangers work around home plate umpire Bill Hohn's sudden fit of incompetence in moving a step closer to first place; first baseman Hank Blalock's mysterious Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; saying goodbye to former Rangers farmhand Geremi Gonzalez. Mon, 26 May 2008 13:24:02 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/271063 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/271063 The good news is the Tribe scored 9 runs tonight - 11 if you count the 2 runs lost to the blown call on Ben Francisco's three-run homer, also known as a one-RBI double. In addition, the Tribe put 17 runners on base. The other good news is Jorge Julio may finally have pitched bad enough to get himself cut from this club. And, the Tribe may have found a solution to their quandary about how to keep Aaron Laffey on the roster when Jake Westbrook rejoins the team early next week. Of course the bad news is Texas scored 13 runs to the Tribe's 9 (11?); the Tribe left 9 of those runners on the bases; it's 30 minutes after the game and I haven't read anything about Julio packing his bags yet; and the solution to the Laffey problem just could be a DL stint for Fausto Carmona. Carmona left tonight's game in the third inning with what is being called a left hip strain. Carmona's listed as day-to-day but he seemed pretty well hobbled by the injury and I wouldn't take that day-to-day thing to the bank just yet. Let's see what tomorrow brings. Carmona's departure set the stage for Julio's second meltdown this week - and this one was a doozie. He let in two of Carmona's runs and then five of his own before finally getting through the third inning. He then put two runners in scoring position the following inning - after the Tribe scored three in the bottom of the third to cut the lead to 11-6 - only to be bailed out by Jensen Lewis. Rick Baeur, the Buffalo Bisons' closer is sporting a 1.83 ERA with 25 Ks in 19 2/3 innings - with 12 saves. He would likely be an upgrade from the moody and volatile Julio. Plus Bauer looks like a hard ass, which is good for a reliever. If the game was lost in the third on Julio's fine performance, any chance at a comeback was effectively snuffed out in the sixth on three separate mistake; one by the umps, one by Grady Sizemore and one by Jeff Datz (subbing for Eric Wedge who was tossed from the game following the umpire mistake we just spoke of). With the Tribe down 12-6, Sizemore tripled - which is good. However, on Jamey Carroll's bouncer to third Sizemore went on contact and was cut down easily at the plate. What on earth was he thinking? Down 6 runs with no outs semi-late in the game and you go from third base on contact? Travis Hafner followed that with a single (which would have scored Grady) - putting two on for Ben Francisco's blast off the railing ABOVE the wall in left field that was ruled in play by the umps and not a homerun. TV replays (and there were many) were very conclusive. It should have been a three-run homer. Following Francisco's "double," the Tribe had runners on second and third and one out. The Rangers brought in right-hander Frank Francisco to pitch to Ryan Garko. Instead of bringing in the hot-hitting lefty 1B Michael Aubrey to hit for the right-handed-hitting Garko - who is hitting like my mother (sorry ma!) - Datz left Garko in and the result was predictable - a Garko K followed by a Peralta K (both swinging - or more accurately flailing). So, instead of a good starting performance squandered by awful hitting and a lousy bullpen, tonight the Tribe lost a slugfest. Either way it's still an "L" and it's seven "L's" in a row. Fri, 23 May 2008 23:36:47 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/270497 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/270497 The Texas Rangers waste a brilliant performance from sinkerballer Scott Feldman, falling 3-1 in Oakland and snapping a season-high four-game winning streak. Mon, 05 May 2008 14:57:18 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/263657 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/263657 The amazing Josh Hamilton; why the Texas Rangers' hiring of Dale Petroskey throws up red warning flags; Joaquin Benoit falls on hard times. Thu, 01 May 2008 17:49:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/262414 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/262414 Frankie Francisco makes his triumphant return, while Dustin Nippert heads to the trainer's table. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:07:59 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/254015 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/254015 Question: What do you call a team that records a lead-off triple, down 5-4 in extra innings, and ends up failing to score? Answer: Really, really infuriating. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:09:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/236860 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/236860 In the third installment of our Bullpen Breakdowns series, we take a look at the AL West teams focusing on who will be filling the roles of closer and setup man come opening day as well as sleeper middle relievers to keep an eye on. Sun, 16 Mar 2008 21:25:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/204077 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/204077 A not-so-brief rundown of the roster battles currently being fought in Texas Rangers spring training camp. Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:28:48 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/191039 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/191039 The hidden power of unearned runs, Kevin Millwood's successful simulated game on Wednesday, and more news and notes from Texas Rangers spring training camp in Surprise, Arizona. Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:20:11 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/183129 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/183129 Why Ian Kinsler's shiny new five-year contract extension is fantastic news for the future of the Texas Rangers; the long-term ramifications of John Rheinecker's shoulder surgery to correct Thoracic Outlet Syndrome; is a move from Oklahoma City to Round Rock in the cards for the Triple-A Redhawks? Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:15:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/160827 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/160827 The latest news and notes emanating from Texas Rangers spring training in Surprise, Arizona - including manager Ron Washington's not-so-ambitious plan to bat center fielder Josh Hamilton second in 2008. Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:56:03 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/149944 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/149944 The Texas Rangers struggle in Baseball Prospectus's new PECOTA projections; continued media fallout from the hiring of Nolan Ryan; a championship series victory for Nelson Cruz. Sat, 09 Feb 2008 11:14:30 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/133322 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/133322 Why the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys, despite their wildly contrasting team histories, are more similar than you might think - plus an in-depth look at some of the Rangers' top bullpen candidates going into the 2008 season. Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:31:02 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/75021 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/75021