It pains me to watch Colby Lewis labor through starts right now. He doesn't necessarily look uncomfortable on the mound, but he hasn't looked noticeably sharp either. Coming back from a hip resurfacing procedure last season, Lewis was a bit of an unknown anyways, but it has really hurt my sentimental side to watch such a warrior struggle so much. His ERA now sits at 5.77 on the season, and you just wonder if he would even still be in the rotation right now if not for so many injuries, as he's struggled to even look like a serviceable starter thus far in the season. Perhaps he'll sharpen up a bit and this will be a moot point, but for now, I feel sad that Colby Lewis is broken.
I was a fan of the offseason trade that sent Craig Gentry to Oakland for Michael Choice. After a solid Spring Training, Choice has been hot and cold on the season, with more cold than hot. He had a home run and a double tonight, and a productive Choice is a great thing for Texas. He still seems to be lacking a bit out in left field for my taste, but should the Rangers determine at some point this season that getting some young players solid Major League experience, I think Michael Choice is a guy that could benefit greatly.
Tanner Scheppers returned tonight. He wasn't particularly sharp, giving up a home run to the first batter he faced, Adam Jones. He managed to get out of the inning on a double play, but other than the scoreboard still showing the Rangers being ahead, it wasn't visually satisfying, to say the least. Hopefully he just needed to get back into a groove, and this won't be an ongoing talking point as the season progresses.
Rougned Odor drew his first 2 walks of his Major League career tonight, and also managed to get his first hit off of a left-handed pitcher. Baby steps, but progress nonetheless.
Next up is a home series against Cleveland. Tomorrow is Yu Darvish Day. So there's that.
