Not very funny.

Well, the anticipated debut of a lineup basically at full strength for the first time in 2010 lived up to expectations, but what I'm going to remember most about the everyday players tonight was the look on so many of their faces, looking like Mark Clark's teammates' did most nights he pitched in 1999, a season when there was something to be won. I don't suppose I need to elaborate on that, or on the obvious point about the look on the face of the 2010 version of Mark Clark after he gave his manager no choice but to take the ball. Either the players as a whole or the starting pitcher, but not both, looked as demoralized as I did tonight. After the top of the second, I posted on Twitter: "Harden staked to 8-3 lead before going out for the 2nd, and there's no way he records a win." But that's not what I meant. Tommy Hunter, May 3: three scoreless innings (38 pitches). Tommy Hunter, May 8: four scoreless innings (54 pitches). Tommy Hunter, tonight: five scoreless innings (58 pitches). It's too soon. But I'm pleased he's on Rich Harden's schedule. Matt Harrison can't be activated until a week from tomorrow. As for tomorrow, when Texas will need a reliever (two ideally, but not realistically) to get to Rogers Centre in time to put on Kason Gabbard's jersey? Won't be Oklahoma City's Guillermo Moscoso, who threw 100 (scoreless) pitches two days ago. Or RedHawks reliever Alexi Ogando, who threw 34 pitches yesterday. Or Pedro Strop, who threw 26 of his own in the same game. RedHawks lefthander Michael Kirkman would be on short rest tomorrow, but maybe more to the point is that he issued seven walks in four innings on Tuesday. Frisco lefthander Zach Phillips threw 37 pitches on May 10 and none since. The RoughRiders are in the seventh inning tonight, and he hasn't pitched. They're at home, not too far from DFW Airport. After that, you venture off the 40-man roster. And the only way to accomplish doing that is to take someone now on the 40 and either run him off the roster or plant him on the 60-day disabled list. That's about the only measure I'm resisting suggesting with regard to the man who amazingly put this team in a position to lose an in-the-bag game tonight and has the club handicapped 15 hours from now. * * * UPDATE: Frisco's game is over, and Zach Phillips didn't pitch. Still, he's generally been a one-inning guy. Not an ideal long man candidate for tomorrow afternoon's game. I didn't mention Oklahoma City lefthander Michael Kirkman earlier tonight, and he's been outstanding this year, but two things: (1) he started Tuesday (91 pitches), meaning he'd be going on short rest if needed in relief of Scott Feldman tomorrow; and (2) he had his shakiest outing that day, issuing seven walks in four innings and throwing only 48 strikes. But he may have to be the guy, given the bind Rich Harden put the club in tonight. Geoff Geary is slated to start for the RedHawks tomorrow (in what was Derek Holland's spot), but he's not on the 40-man roster. Clay Rapada's off the roster, too – and he pitched tonight. Other non-roster possibilities? Willie Eyre pitched yesterday and hasn't been terribly effective. Then there's Tanner Scheppers. He's been pitching two innings every four days, a schedule that would next have him on the mound Sunday. Presumably he could be available for emergency work tomorrow, though it's clear the organization is handling his first year in the pros with care. Still, if you're going to go off the roster (by designating Ryan Garko for assignment, for example), Scheppers at least has to be in the conversation, no? He's going to command a roster spot at some point this spring. Hell, maybe the Rangers can repeat last year's O'Day/Gabbard event by acquiring someone not even in the organization at the moment and getting them to Toronto in time to be available on Saturday. Huge longshot (if you're going to add someone that costs a 40-man roster move, you might as well go get Scheppers), but every alternative seems less than perfect at the moment. There's no easy fix, logistically or procedurally, for what the Rangers find themselves needing to do overnight with the pitching staff. Good times. =========================================================== To join the free Newberg Report mailing list so you can get e-mail deliveries of every edition of the newsletter, daily minor league game recaps, and frequent Newberg Report News Flashes, go to www.newbergreport.com and click the "Mailing List" link on the top menu bar. (c) Jamey Newberg http://www.newbergreport.com Twitter @newbergreport