Defending C.J.; well, not really

There really is no defending C.J. Wilson for tossing the ball toward his manager and attempting to sulk his way off the mound after five-batter, one-out, four-run outing that could be his last of the season. He shouldn't have done that, no matter how frustrated, angry or embarrassed he might have been. Ron Washington handled it on the spot by guiding Wilson back on the rubber and making him do things the right way, with respect for his manger and team. (By the way, nice hands shown by Washington and great, quick reaction to gently tug Wilson back.) The rest will be handled by teammates, and it will be forgotten like other incidents that arise during the course of a season.

Wilson, though, hasn't been right since Mark Connor and Dom Chiti were fired last week. The move still bothers him. He said as much Monday while talking to reporters. He and Andy Hawkins have a good relationship, but Wilson said Connor and Chiti understood him. In other words, they knew how to handle an emotional person who has one of the more complicated minds in the clubhouse. The relationship extended beyond the bullpen. During an off-day in Oakland, Wilson and Chiti went to Laguna Seca Raceway and participated in the Skip Barber Driving School.

The flip of the ball Tuesday could have been a byproduct of a lousy month on the mound, the loss of the two people who understand him best or the realization that his arm is too fouled up to continue this season. While that doesn't make showing up the manager right, it ultimately isn't as bad as what Sidney Ponson did in May or what Steve Smith did to a Carolina Panthers teammate a few days ago.

This Rangers team has probably already started a process that it has dealt with many times this season -- moving on. Someone goes on the DL, it stinks, but there's a game to be played today. Eddie Guardado will make the bullpen better as its closer, even though the Rangers really need another lefty to get big outs in the seventh and eighth inning. Joaquin Benoit, though, becomes the most important reliever the rest of the season. If he resembles the reliable eighth-inning workhorse he was in 2007, the Rangers will be fine. If not, Jamey Wright and Frank Francisco will be in high-pressure, heavy-workload spots the rest of the season, beginning tonight.

-- Jeff Wilson

Comments

[Clark Carradine]

The more I see of Ron Washington, the greater my admiration for him as a manager grows. I still wonder why we have so many pitchers hurt and then trying to pitch while hurt which harms the team nad themselves in the long run.

[Kent Benfer]

Two things:

First, I am tired of hearing about how complicated CJ's mind is. Baseball is a simple game. Just shut up, go out there and pitch, throw strikes, and get guys out. Be aggressive. Don't back down. If I have to hear one more time from CJ himself how different he is, I am going to off myself.

Two, why can't we move Josh Rupe up in the pecking order. I realize we need two long men right now but can't we get that guy some 7th and 8th inning action. I think he has earned it. Right now wouldn't he have to be on the short list of guys for Rangers Pitcher of the Year?

[Patrick]

He hasn't earned the right to have a complicated mind. What he needs is a simple kick in the pants. Who the hell does the think he is? Would he even be the closer on any other team in baseball?

[Anthony Andro]

Kent....You are getting your wish. Ron Washington told us before the game that Rupe will now figure play a prominent role in seventh-inning situations in what is a very fluid bullpen.