2011 ALDS, Game 1: Forget and move on

There's really nothing to say about Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series on Friday afternoon other than the fact that the Rays destroyed the Rangers in every possible facet of the game.

I'm not sure what it feels like to stand in a corner of my apartment and bang my head against the wall for three consecutive hours, but in my mind, that's what I was doing.

Tampa Bay cruised, 9-0, and Texas mustered only two hits. Brutal way to start the playoffs.

Especially considering the winning pitcher, Tampa Bay lefty Matt Moore, had pitched 9 1/3 total big league innings before Friday. Granted, the 22-year-old Moore has a very high ceiling — I heard on SportsCenter that ESPN's Keith Law ranked Moore the No. 2 prospect in baseball a few months ago, I believe — but therein lies the problem. Moore, a kid, came into Arlington and dominated one of the best hitting teams in baseball at their own place. Seven innings, two hits, no earned runs, two walks, six strikeouts. What more could Rays manager Joe Maddon want from the guy?

Conversely, nothing went right for the Rangers. C.J. Wilson allowed six earned runs and three home runs, two of which came from Kelly Shoppach, a guy who hit .176 during the regular season.

The eighth inning painted a clear picture of how it went for Texas after Elvis Andrus drew a four-pitch walk to lead off the inning. Josh Hamilton stepped to the plate with no outs, and proceeded to lay down a bunt. In an 8-0 game. Hamilton had only bunted once in more than 2,500 MLB plate appearances.

Tampa Bay threw out Hamilton at first base. Andrus advanced to second, but it didn't matter. Michael Young grounded out, and Adrian Beltre flew out to end the inning. And, by all means, the game.

In his postgame news conference, Texas manager Ron Washington said he didn't call for Hamilton to bunt. It was the decision of the slugger.

Not going to lie, I don't get that mad when watching the Rangers, even if they lose in the playoffs. But that was one of the more infuriating moments I can think of in the past two years of watching the team. I have no problem with losing, but I do have a problem giving away outs in an 8-0 game with the speedy Andrus on first base.

Nonetheless, it's time to forget about Game 1 and hope that Derek Holland can hold his own tonight in Game 2 against James Shields and the Rays.

The Rays, who trailed Boston in the wild card by 9.5 games on Sept. 3, may be the fabled team of destiny this postseason.

Let's hope Texas takes away some of this seemingly endless Tampa Bay momentum and ties the series up at 1-1. If not, it could be the beginning of the end of an amazing regular season that saw the Rangers win more games (96-66) than any other team in franchise history.