Apparently, it was too much to expect the Rangers to sweep the four games against the Mariners. They won the first two and had a lead two-thirds of the way into the third. It looked promising.

Then the Mariners bats woke up, they scored four runs in the top of the seventh and ended up winning Game 3 by a score of 6-4.

So now, the momentum the Rangers had accumulated after winning Games 1 and 2 could all go away with a loss today in Game 4. It’s all up to Kumar Rocker to prevent this from being another disappointing split. But, what else should one expect from the quintessential .500 team. 

Rocker’s last start was one of his best. Six shutout innings and a win against a good White Sox team. That followed one of his worst. Seven earned runs and a loss against the Astros. Before that, a disappointing 4.1-inning loss against the Tigers, which followed a brilliant six shutout inning win against the Blue Jays.

You never know which Rocker you’re going to get. The Rangers really need the good Rocker today. Winning three of four is dominating. Splitting is settling.

*****