Mavs Acquire Tyson Chandler From Bobcats

It wasn't what Mavericks' fans expected to get with the Erick Dampier instant expiring contract, but the addition of Chandler instantly makes Dallas a better team, while still leaving the opportunity open for other acquisitions. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

At the outset of free agency the Dallas Mavericks roster goal was clear: add a top free agent (Lebron, Wade, etc) using the Erick Dampier instant expiring contract. Of course, Dallas tried this, things didn't work out, and here we are. But, don't confuse the fact that (obviously) the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh had already made a decision to join one-another, with the assumption that the Mavericks didn't try - which is absolutely false.

Rangers In The All-Star Game

How did your Texas Rangers do in a meaningless, mid-season exhibition game? (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

A team-record six Rangers suited up for the All-Star Game Tuesday night, but it wasn't enough as the National League won it's first mid-summer classic since 1996, 3 to 1. I'm not going to lie to you, dear reader, I didn't watch one second of this load of crap. It's a pointless, waste of time manufactured for corporations to sell products and players to be self-indulgent - kind of like Valentine's Day, Easter, and all other sporting "All-Star" games.

But here's a recap and box-score, for the few who care.

Rangers Players Box:

Josh Hamilton: 1 for 3, no HR or RBI, two left on base.

Elvis Andrus: 0 for 1, caught stealing.

Ian Kinsler: 0 for 1, walk.

Vlad Guerrero: 0 for 2, strikeout.

Cliff Lee: One innings, no earned runs, 1 K.

Neftali Feliz: DNP

Can we fast forward to the second-half of the season now?

Officially Troublesome - Rangers Lose 4-1

With both Josh Hamilton and Elvis Andrus getting the game off, the Rangers offense struggled to get anything going. Miguel Tejada (above) hit a solo homer for the Orioles who got it's first four-game sweep since 1995. (AP Photo/Cody Duty)

The Texas tailspin has now reached four games as the Texas Rangers () continue to struggle going into the All-Star break. The Rangers have now lost eight of 11 games in the month of July after a 21-6 record in June.

"We're in first place. There's no need to be sad," manager Ron Washington said. "We just have to come out of the break and hold on to it."

Debut Gone Awry - Rangers Lose 6-1

Cliff Lee went the distance, but allowed three home runs along the way as just about nothing went right for Texas Saturday night. (AP Photo/Cody Duty)

Saturday night was an evening to forget for the Texas Rangers (50-37) who are now on the verge of being swept at home by the worst team in baseball, the Baltimore Orioles (28-59). Even the newest Ranger, Cliff Lee (L, 8-4), was unable to right the ship for this struggling team.

"It's been hectic," said Lee, who arrived in Dallas at around 1 a.m. early Saturday. "I don't think that was the reason I didn't do as well... The first one is out of the way and hopefully I can do better from here on out."

Timing Of Lee Deal Impeccable

Back-to-back losses show the importance of a workhorse-type pitcher like Cliff Lee (left) for the Rangers to succeed. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

It seems this was the perfect time for the Texas Rangers to pull the trigger on acquiring former Cy Young Award winning pitcher Cliff Lee. The overworked Rangers bullpen has pitched a total of 273 1-3 innings - fifth most in baseball - and are showing signs of fatigue recently in the form of two big blown leads in the past two games. On the flip side, Lee's former team - the Seattle Mariners - have a rested bullpen that has pitched only 217 2-3 innings, next to last in the Majors. This has a lot to do with Lee's ability to consistently pitch deep into ballgames.