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May 17, 2006

Residua Of A Fierce Kick To The Groin

Does losing a nine-run lead matter more than any other lead? Certainly, it causes acute nausea and rage (recipe for cure here), but what of the long run? Does the previous night’s agony herald a slump, a dreary summer, a lost season?

As noted by the DMN’s Evan Grant, the previous Ranger record for largest lead surrendered was seven, set on four occasions. How did Texas play the next game, the next ten games, and the rest of the season?

Date
Blown 7-Run
Lead
Next Game
Next Ten Games
Rest of Season
4/24/96
Lost 11-9
to Boston
Lost 8-3
to Boston
6-4
77-65,
won AL West
5/17/96
Lost 12-10
to Cleveland
Won 6-3
at Cleveland
6-4
64-57,
won AL West
7/3/99
Lost 13-12
to Seattle
Lost 6-0
to Seattle
4-6
49-33,
won AL West
9/1/01
Lost 8-7
to KC
Won 12-6
at KC
6-4
12-14,
last in AL West

The historical anecdotes suggest that wasting a huge lead means absolutely nothing to Texas. In essence, they’ve lumbered on as before. The good Ranger clubs continued to win, the lousy ‘01 squad limped to the finish.

Last night’s debacle will resonate if the Rangers enter an extended slump, but the schedule-maker will deserve most of the blame. Texas plays 46 games before the All-Star break; right now, only twelve are against sub-.500 teams.

Posted by Lucas at May 17, 2006 10:45 AM