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En Fuego (adjective)

[Definition per Urban Dictionary]:

Translated from Spanish to English it literally means, 'on fire'. It's what you call anyone or anything that is awesome.

Let’s use it in a sentence, shall we?

Mitch Moreland is absolutely en fuego right now for the Texas Rangers! Over his last nine games, the 27-year-old first baseman is hitting .371 (13-for-35) with 9 XBH, including five which landed somewhere beyond an outfield wall. Much to the delight of the Rangers, who opted to give him the everyday first base job, Moreland is holding his own versus lefties, as he showed Thursday with two doubles, driving in a trio of runs.  The Mississippi State product has been creeping up in the potent Rangers lineup and with the hot streak he is riding, he could continue that trend. Moreland is now the owner of a .296 AVG, 9 HR, 21 RBI and a .909 OPS. You probably are too late, but if for some reason Moreland is available in your league, for Pete's sake pick the dude up! NOW! Seriously, stop reading this and go get him…

Band-Aids for the Bronx Bombers

As if the Yankees didn’t have enough injury issues, they lost two more pieces tonight. Andy Pettitte and catcher Chris Stewart left Thursday’s game with injuries. Pettitte had to leave after 79 pitches when his trapezius muscle tightened up on him. He was in obvious discomfort and Joe Girardi removed him after a lengthy mound visit. Pettitte may require a DL stint to recover; while the Yankees are thin right now, Ivan Nova is close to returning.

As for Stewart, his ailment is in the form of a groin strain. He was sent for an MRI after pulling up lame running to third in the seventh inning of the game. Austin Romine will assume starting duties for the Bombers and they will be forced to recall someone or sign a free agent to back him up. Bobby Wilson is the most likely call-up with their catching prospects not yet close to MLB ready. And oh yea, to top it off, the Yankees lost the rubber match to the M’s.

AL Hot Shots:

• Justin Verlander was completely obliterated by the Texas Rangers giving up 8 ER on 6 hits, only striking out 3 and walking a pair. He really labored to find his command in the third and never recovered. I wouldn’t count on many duds like this from one of the best pitchers in baseball.
• Yu Darvish out-dueled Verlander on Thursday with great run support. Darvish threw 130 pitches over 8 innings allowing 4 ER with 7 hits and one walk. His innings are piling up and he’s currently on pace for over 235 IP.
• Geovany Soto delivered the biggest blow of the night, a three run homer, sending Verlander to the dugout. Nelson Cruz homered as well for the Rangers.
• Fernando Rodney blew a save in grand fashion. He walked 4 and allowed 3 ER, earning the loss. Rodney is showing his true colors after 2012’s ridiculously out-of-character and record-setting season. Ryan Roberts homered for the Rays.
• Alex Rios homered Thursday for the White Sox in a win over the reeling Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California in the United States of America in North America of Planet Earth.
• Mike Morse jacked home run number 10 in the M’s win over the Yankees. “Me Mike Morse hit ball hard.”
• Will Middlebrooks continues to warm as he was 1-for-3 with a 2B and 3 RBI on Thursday.

 
Did I mention that Mitch Moreland is en fuego? I was just checking to see if you've come back from picking him up earlier...

 NL Hot Shots:

• Francisco Liriano has put together two great starts in a row for the Pirates. The lefty struck out seven on Thursday, only allowing one ER on 6 hits with 3 BB.
• Todd Helton and Nolan Arenado went back to back for the Rockies but the Giants overcame a 6-0 deficit to eventually win 8-6 in support of Matt Cain who was less than good. The Giants put up a five-spot in the 4th and three more in the 6th as the Rockies pitching could not withstand the Giants persistent offense. Brandon Crawford drove in three and now has 20 RBI.
• Wilin Rosario homered and drove in 3 runs.
• Adam LaRoche and Bryce Harper went deep for the Nationals in a win over the Padres. LaRoche extended his hitting streak to a career high 13 games and has homered in three straight games. Stephen Strasburg's winning line was 8 IP, 3 HA, 3 BBI, 4 K and an ER.
• Mat Latos went 8-plus but was tabbed with a no-decision. Dusty Baker came and got Latos after her allowed the second batter of the ninth (Adeiny Hechavarria) to triple. Aroldis Chapman came on to get the second out but blew the save opportunity as the next batter (Marcell Ozuna) would triple in the runner from third. Chapman would vulture the W and J.J. Hoover would get his third save.
• Sergio Romo was more efficient in his save chance tonight, striking out the only two batters he faced, nailing down save #13 for the Giants.
• Juan Pierre hit a homer run tonight. That feels weird just typing that. It happened, I swear, check the box score.
• Brandon Phillips went long and strong, getting his friction on while posing down a homer.
• Bobby Parnell actually got a save instead of a win for once, but hey, wins are such an awesome stat! He has 4 of each now.
• Travis Snider was 3-for-5 with a HR, 3 RBI, 2 runs with a stolen base to boot! That’s nice! With tonight’s game, Snider boosted his slash-line to .292/.364/.406 in 107 plate appearances.

 
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Follow Shawn Caswell on Twitter: @CasKnowsRoto