Ron Washington On Facing Weaver And Santana On 3 Days Rest ” Were Not Afraid”

The Angels and Rangers have played 5 crucial “statement” games so far in August. The Rangers have won 4 of them.

Statement made?

Texas continued their recent dominance over the Angels Friday night as the usually steady Dan Haren was hit hard and often to the tune of 11 hits and 7 earned runs in just 4 1/3 innings pitched. The Angels went on to lose 11 – 7 thanks to a couple of too little too late home runs by Howie Kendrick and pinch hitter Russell Branyan but the game was never in doubt as once again the Halos offense failed to deliver in the clutch. It started in the first inning when the Angels squandered a 1st and 2nd – no out scoring chance and spread from there.

15 base runners were stranded by the Angels in total.

The Halos now desperately need a win. They find themselves 3 games back of Texas and will turn the ball over to Ervin Santana (tonight) and Jered Weaver (tomorrow) on 3 days rest to see if they can put a halt to the Texas sized butt whippings the Rangers have been giving them of late. For his part Rangers Manager Ron Washington is not scared saying:

"“We’re not afraid of Santana,” Washington said. “We’re not talking about Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax. We’ve faced Weaver and Santana before.”"

Ron’s right. Why would they be afraid? The Rangers appear to have a mental edge over the Angels this year and that’s something no amount of rest can shake.