Two Incredible Rangers Angles Games

Over the past 2 nights our family has went to the Texas Rangers games against the Anaheim Angles. These were two of the best games ever.  In both of the games, the Rangers won in the bottom of the last inning with walk off home runs!  They were just terrific.  Seriously, maybe the two best baseball game I have ever seen - certainly two of the best I have been to in person.

Game 1 - July 29th

The Monday night game was broadcast on ESPN - Monday Night Baseball.

The Rangers went into the bottom of the 9th down by 1 run - 2 to 3 Angles. With one out, A.J. Pierzynski hit a game tying solo home run. Then with two out, down to his last strike, the offensively challenged Geovany Soto (hitting a strong .202) hit a game winning home run! Rangers win in walk-off fashion 4 to 3.

The kids had a great time.

The older kids had fun with Captain.

Josh got his first MLB baseball. It was thrown to a person behind him who gave it to Josh.

Getting ready for the game.

This is Brittany and Reese. As you can see, we have terrific seats. Just a few rows back right behind the visiting team's on-deck circle.

Mike Trout - maybe the best player in baseball.

Josh Hamilton getting booed by the Rangers crowd. It is a long story but he was formerly with the Rangers and got traded to the Angles. As he left he said some negative things about Dallas - including saying it was not a "baseball town." That did not go over well with a team and city that was in the World Series two years in a row! So, when he is around you can often hear the chant "Baseball Town, Baseball Town!" Josh is batting a pathetic .22X this year. :)

Trout getting a hit as Hamilton watches from the on-deck circle.

Game 2 - July 30th

The second game was, believe it or not, just as good.  Certainly not a pitchers duel, but a long, offensively loaded game.  For the second straight night, the Rangers celebrated a walk-off victory against the Angels. This time, Leonys Martin came through with the game-winning home run in the 10th to defeat the Angels, 14-11, at Rangers Ballpark.

This was the kids.  Noelle and Shawn each brought a friend.

This was cool - when Leonys Martin hit the final home run, the Angles had  moved Kole Calhoun from right field into the right side of the infield - resulting in 5 infielders and 2 outfielders (Collin Cowgill and Mike Trout).

This was the final home run by Leonys Martin.  It was a three run line drive home run that barely cleared the left-field wall.  Martin went opposite field on a 1-2 count.  Watch the crazy celebration.

Shawn Jr. Pitches a 3 Hit Shutout Win at Texas State

Shawn Jr. plays for a select baseball team called the Texas Clay.  This week they had a baseball tournament in San Marcos (between Austin and San Antonio).  They had a bad start, losing their first 2 games.  However, Shawn pitched in game 3 and had a terrific game on the mound.  He pitched a complete game shutout for the win.  He gave up only 3 hits, no walks and had 3 strikeouts.  He has recently added a knuckleball to his repertoire.   He had it working yesterday in their 9 to 0 win.  Below are a few pictures from the game.

This is Shawn Jr. on the mound.

Here is Shawn warming up.

This is Shawn at the start of the game.  As you can see they played at the Texas State baseball stadium.  

Shawn in his windup.

Throwing a knuckleball.

Shawn getting ready to bat.

Loading up.

Swinging.

A sharp ground ball hit.

Running to first.

Shawn in the dugout.

Shawn Jr. in the batting circle.

Throwing a pitch late in the game.

After the game.

Josh in the dugout after the game.  He was very excited to get to be in the dugout with the big boys.