Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Lethargy does in Rays as they fall to the Rangers

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July 4

Tampa Tribune

"Maybe it was the day off with nothing much to do that preceded Friday's game, or maybe it was the suffocating game-time temperature that checked in right at 100 degrees. Whatever the case, the Rays just didn't seem themselves as they opened a series against the surprising second-place Rangers with a quiet 3-1 setback. Aside from not being able to generate much of anything at the plate in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks around, the Rays were uncharacteristically sloppy in the field, making key errors in the fourth and fifth innings that led directly to Texas runs and looking generally lethargic most of the night as they reached the 81-game midway point in their season. "We did not ..."

Hunter's first win for Texas Rangers is well polished

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July 4

Dallas Morning News

"The big stage isn't as intimidating as it was 11 months ago, when Tommy Hunter made his third big league start in Boston. It was a quick one, too: 1 2/3 innings, seven hits, nine runs. On Friday night, the right-hander made his third start of 2009 on another pretty big stage, against the defending American League champions at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. On his 23rd birthday, Hunter stymied the Tampa Bay Rays and earned his first major league victory. He allowed only one run and three hits over 5 1/3 innings to help lead the Rangers to a 3-1 victory before a crowd of 39,123. The Rangers, who had lost eight of 11 before their current three-game winning streak, moved within a half game ..."

Tom Hicks' financial woes will hamper Texas Rangers' progress

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July 3

Dallas Morning News

columnist Kevin Sherrington

"Ever since Tom Hicks bought the Rangers in the summer of '98, dubious readers have called, e-mailed, whispered and wailed. He doesn't have any money, they'd say. He's broke. Can't you tell from his other businesses? Don't you get it? No, I'd say. I don't. Granted, I was never a candidate for The Wharton School, but the reason the charges never carried much weight was simple enough: Players keep cashing checks, don't they? And not at your local grocer, either. But the issue became critical in the last couple of days after we got a tip that the Rangers had, indeed, missed payroll. We were still getting to the bottom of the story when a caller to Kevin Kennedy's national radio show told ..."

Texas Rangers' Hamilton hopes to return soon

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July 3

Dallas Morning News

"The search for the missing piece from the Rangers lineup resumed in a state where the best-known ballpark is carved out of a cornfield. But Josh Hamilton was some three hours southwest of the Field of Dreams on Thursday night, instead playing center field for Triple-A Oklahoma City at the 11,000-seat Principal Park.But his field of dreams is Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Hamilton, who is on the disabled list after having surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle, hopes to resume patrolling center field there and batting third as soon as Saturday. The Rangers will gladly welcome the return of their best run producer, who hit 32 homers last season, drove in 130 runs and has the ability to ..."

Texas Rangers' Hamilton hopes to return to lineup Saturday

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July 3

Dallas Morning News

"The search for the missing piece from the Rangers lineup resumed in a state where the best-known ballpark is carved out of a cornfield. But Josh Hamilton was some three hours southwest of the Field of Dreams on Thursday night, instead playing center field for Triple-A Oklahoma City at the 11,000-seat Principal Park. But his field of dreams is Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Hamilton, who is on the disabled list after having surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle, hopes to resume patrolling center field there and batting third as soon as Saturday. The Rangers will gladly welcome the return of their best run producer, who hit 32 homers last season, drove in 130 runs and has the ability ..."

Right-hander Brandon McCarthy is in a rebuilding year

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July 3

Dallas Morning News

"Anyone who wants to visit with Brandon McCarthy these days at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington needs to strike early, because the right-hander has seen his work day shrink considerably. Go to the ballpark, work out for 15 minutes or so, go home. That's become the norm as he waits out a second stress fracture to his shoulder blade in two years. McCarthy could stick around, but he doesn't want to get in the way of a team that is on a roll after taking two of three games from the Los Angeles Angels this week. His schedule won't change much until he no longer feels any pain. Once he is allowed to throw again, though, he will work like never before."

MLB working to sell Rangers franchise

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July 3

ESPN.com

"Major League Baseball has loaned millions to Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks, Yahoo! reported. The league would not go into details about any borrowing, but said it was assisting Rangers owner Tom Hicks with the sale of the franchise. "Tom is the control person, and there was no issue of making payroll," Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, said Thursday. "Major League Baseball is working with the Rangers to sell the team, as Tom requested." Hicks did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment. Yahoo!, citing a major league source, first reported Thursday that a loan was made to Hicks Sports Group and that the amount was believed to be for less than $15 million. The sport's central ..."

Bullpen hammer

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July 2

Dallas Morning News

"Baseball superstitions seldom have normal beginnings. The Rangers' bullpen hammer is no different. Reliever Jason Grilli came across the piece of hardware - complete with a Rangers-blue shock-absorption grip - while in a cab with Josh Hamilton in Phoenix during last week's series with Arizona. A man on the street sold it to him for $5, a bargain price, according to Grilli. "It probably was hot," Grilli said. "It has no relevance to anything. It's just funny." After the Diamondbacks' mascot ran over a pin that held the bullpen door closed, bullpen coach Andy Hawkins used the hammer to bend it back in place and allow the door to open. The Rangers won the game."

Might Rangers be in Lackey's future?

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July 2

Orange County Register

"John Lackey said he has never met his boyhood hero. But he might get that chance this winter. With Lackey headed toward free agency, he could find the Texas Rangers- and their club president, Nolan Ryan - knocking on his door as one of his suitors. In that situation, would Lackey have the guts to tell the pitching icon, "No?" "I'm not sure who does," Lackey said with a laugh. "It'd be cool, no doubt (to meet Ryan under those circumstances). But I'm not even thinking that far ahead." Lackey said that "the Rangers were my team growing up" about 150 miles west of Dallas in Abilene, Texas. But he there are "a lot of factors" that will come into play beyond the chance to pitch close to home. ..."

Texas Rangers take series from Angels with Blalock blast

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July 2

Dallas Morning News

"No one in the jubilant Rangers clubhouse knew what was discussed at the pitcher's mound before Hank Blalock stepped into the batter's box in the ninth inning Wednesday night. No one really seemed to care, either. Blalock launched the first pitch he saw from reliever Justin Speier over the center-field wall for a two-run, walk-off homer that gave the Rangers a 9-7 victory at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The blast, Blalock's second of the game, helped the Rangers overcome a blown save by Frank Francisco in the top of the ninth and secure a series victory over the Los Angeles Angels. The win moved the Rangers one-half game behind the Angels in the American League West and improved their ..."

Texas within half-game on Blalock walk-off

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July 2

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"No one in the jubilant Texas Rangers clubhouse knew what was discussed at the pitcher's mound before Hank Blalock stepped into the batter's box in the ninth inning. No one really seems to care, either. Blalock launched the first pitch from reliever Justin Speier over the center-field wall for a two-out, two-run walk-off homer that gave the Rangers a 9-7 victory at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Wednesday. The blast, Blalock's second of the game, helped the Rangers overcome a blown save by Frank Francisco in the top of the ninth and secure a series victory over the Los Angeles Angels. A second straight victory moved the Rangers only a half-game behind the Angels in the American League ..."

Angels run into trouble

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July 2

Los Angeles Times

"Reporting from Arlington, Texas -- Maybe it was the oppressive 98-degree heat in the Ballpark at Arlington, but the Angels seemed dazed and disoriented for much of Wednesday evening, piling one baserunning blunder on top of another in a performance that seemed as out of character for them as John Wayne playing the villain in an old western. But their most egregious error they saved for last, a decision by Manager Mike Scioscia to have reliever Justin Speier pitch to Hank Blalock with a runner on second base and two out in the bottom of the ninth inning and the score tied."

Joe Saunders can't find the right zone as Angels lose to Texas, 9-5

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July 1

Los Angeles Times

"Reporting from Arlington, Texas -- Don't mess with Texas? Texas is messing with Joe Saunders, who was rocked for eight runs and six hits, including a career-high four home runs, in 3 2/3 innings of Tuesday night's 9-5 loss to the Rangers at the Ballpark in Arlington, which snapped the Angels' six-game winning streak. In five career starts in Arlington, Saunders is 0-5 with an 11.68 earned-run average, having given up 29 runs in 27 2/3 innings. In all other road stadiums, the Angels left-hander is 21-4 with a 2.97 ERA. And in four starts against Texas in Angel Stadium, Saunders is 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA. "Maybe you guys can figure it out for me, because I haven't figured it out yet," Saunders ..."

Not usual suspect: Offense undermining Texas Rangers

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June 30

Dallas Morning News

columnist Tim Cowlishaw

"The Rangers lost their grip on first place in the American League West over the weekend. They lost their grip on the bat long ago. If I must concede to the Rangers naysayers who contended that this team would be anything but a true contender by the time the All-Star break arrived, I will ask one question. Did you really think their lousy offense would be the problem? Monday night wasn't quite as bad as Sunday, but still it ended in a 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, who stretched their division lead to 2 ½ games. Back-to-back home runs from David Murphy and Marlon Byrd in the third inning supplied the only Texas fireworks. Otherwise, a fairly lifeless Ballpark crowd of - get this - ..."

O'Sullivan is up to the challenge

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June 30

Los Angeles Times

"A year ago, Sean O'Sullivan was pitching for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, the Angels' California League affiliate whose biggest rival was the Dodgers' Inland Empire club. "Every time we played those guys," O'Sullivan said, "we stepped it up a bit." Monday night, the 21-year-old right-hander found himself in another rivalry, this one on a far bigger stage, under brighter lights, and with much bigger stakes, and he responded just as he did in the minor leagues: He stepped it up a bit. Making only his third big league start, O'Sullivan gave up two runs and six hits in six innings to help the Angels defeat the Texas Rangers, 5-2, at the Ballpark in Arlington in the first of six games in 10 days ..."

Not ususal suspect: Offense undermining Texas Rangers

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June 30

Dallas Morning News

columnist Tim Cowlishaw

"The Rangers lost their grip on first place in the American League West over the weekend. They lost their grip on the bat long ago. If I must concede to the Rangers naysayers who contended that this team would be anything but a true contender by the time the All-Star break arrived, I will ask one question. Did you really think their lousy offense would be the problem? Monday night wasn't quite as bad as Sunday, but still it ended in a 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, who stretched their division lead to 2 ½ games. Back-to-back home runs from David Murphy and Marlon Byrd in the third inning supplied the only Texas fireworks. Otherwise, a fairly lifeless Ballpark crowd of - get this - ..."

Hot bat earned Borbon a promotion

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June 30

Dallas Morning News

"Rangers manager Ron Washington said the decision to call up outfielder Julio Borbon wasn't an attempt to shake up a struggling offense. But having Borbon in the lineup can't hurt. A 2007 supplemental-round pick, Borbon was recalled from Oklahoma City on Monday and was in the starting lineup. He went 0-for-3 before being removed for a pinch-hitter in the eighth. "It definitely caught me off guard," said Borbon, who got news of his promotion Sunday night. "It's a dream come true. I'm excited to be here and ready to go right now." The Rangers said Borbon was called up because they were a man short on offense. They sent reliever Willie Eyre to Oklahoma City to make room for Borbon, and the ..."

Offense fails Texas Rangers again in loss to Angels

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June 30

Dallas Morning News

"A chance for a big inning presented itself to the Rangers in the fifth Monday night, but the American League's worst offense this month came up empty. A chance for a big inning presented itself to the Los Angeles Angels in the sixth, and the AL's best offense this season didn't miss out. The Angels scored four runs against Vicente Padilla in the sixth en route to a 5-2 victory in the opener of an important three-game series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The win moved the Angels 2 ½ games ahead of the Rangers in the AL West. Padilla might make for an easy target after his worst outing since earlier this month at Yankee Stadium, when he twice hit Mark Teixeira with a pitch. But offense ..."

With Harrison on DL, Texas eyes arms

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June 29

MLB.com

"Matt Harrison's arm problems could force the Rangers to make starting pitching a priority in any trade discussions they have with other teams. General manager Jon Daniels said last week that he was more inclined to look at improving the bullpen. But that was before Harrison was placed on the disabled list Sunday with biceps tendinitis in his left arm. Now starting pitching may be a bigger concern for the Rangers and a bigger priority. "It might," Daniels said Sunday. "We probably have more internal options in the bullpen than in the rotation. [Starting pitching] is something we're looking at but there are not that many starting pitchers available and I don't expect that to change. Not many ..."

Rangers hit rock bottom with shutout loss

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June 29

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The players have grown tired of talking about the slump that has caused the Texas Rangers to fall from a 5 1/2 -game lead in the American League West to a 1 1/2 -game deficit in 30 days. With the exception of two days late last week, when the Rangers scored 21 runs, the offense continues to come up largely empty. Sunday night was just about as close to E as the tank can get. Chad Gaudin was masterful for eight innings as he and Heath Bell combined on the first one-hitter thrown by an opponent in Rangers Ballpark history in a 2-0 San Diego victory. "It's a broken record right now," catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said. "There's nothing we can say." Some attempted to put the offense's extended ..."

With Rangers in recession, times about to get tougher

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June 29

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"When the doorbell rings tonight, my advice to the Texas Rangers is not to answer it. At their doorstep will be the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and, if recent biorhythms prevail, the visit likely won't be a happy one. If the free-falling Rangers can't win a series at home from the San Diego Padres — last in hitting in the National League, third-to-last in pitching — what in mercy's name can they expect against the first-place Angels? The three-game series begins tonight with the Rangers' Vicente Padilla going against Angels right-hander Sean O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan is a rookie, yet as San Diego's Chad Gaudin showed Sunday, pedigree doesn't mean anything these days against the slumping ..."

Hamilton will play in Frisco

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June 29

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Josh Hamilton will take another step toward returning to the lineup this week when he begins a rehab assignment. Hamilton, who had surgery to repair a partially torn abdominal muscle 20 days ago, will play for Double A Frisco tonight against Corpus Christi in Frisco. He'll bat leadoff as Frisco's designated hitter. The 2008 All-Star will be re-evaluated by the Rangers on Tuesday. If there are no complications, he will join Triple A Oklahoma City because Frisco will be off for the All-Star break. The RedHawks begin a three-game series in Iowa on Wednesday night. General manager Jon Daniels said there's a chance Hamilton could be ready to play for Texas on Saturday when the Rangers host ..."

Texas Rangers offense is frigid on hot night in 2-0 loss

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June 29

Dallas Morning News

"The players have grown tired of talking about the slump that has caused the Rangers to go from a 5½-game lead in the American League West to a 1½-game deficit in 30 days. With the exception of two days late last week, when the Rangers scored 21 runs, the offense has come up largely empty. Sunday night was just about as close to E as the tank can get. Chad Gaudin was masterful for eight innings as he and Heath Bell combined on the first one-hitter thrown by an opponent in Rangers Ballpark history in a 2-0 San Diego victory. "It's a broken record right now," Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said. "There's nothing we can say." Some attempted to put the offense's extended woes into ..."

Texas to put Harrison on disabled list

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June 28

MLB.com

"Left-hander Matt Harrison will go on the disabled list on Sunday, but he won't know for another week what is causing periodic numbness in his hand after pitching. Officially, Harrison is being listed as having biceps inflammation in his left arm. He last started on Tuesday at Arizona, allowing seven runs in 3 2/3 innings. Right-hander Tommy Hunter will start in Harrison's place Sunday night against San Diego. Hunter already has made a spot start this season, allowing three runs in 5 1/3 innings against Oakland on May 29. Harrison, who had an MRI on Friday that showed no structural damage, said he will visit a neurologist a week from Monday to rule out nerve damage after experiencing ..."

Texas Rangers' Harrison gets another DL stint

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June 28

Dallas Morning News

"Texas Rangers left-hander Matt Harrison is going back on the disabled list. The team announced Saturday that Harrison would miss today's start because of biceps inflammation in his left arm and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list today. Triple-A Oklahoma right-hander Tommy Hunter is expected to start against the Padres. Harrison went on the DL on May 29 because of left shoulder inflammation. He has struggled since being activated, going 0-1 with a 10.39 ERA in his last two starts. "I really don't know what's wrong," said Harrison, who will see a neurologist a week from Monday. "I just have some numbness in my hand, and they said that maybe some nerves are pinching in my neck. It's ..."

Starting pitching will finish Texas Rangers in September

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June 28

Dallas Morning News

columnist Jean Jaques Taylor

"The Rangers don't deserve your faith. Or your hope. Or your optimism. They've done nothing over the last decade to earn it. One day, perhaps. Not now. And the butt-kicking the raggedy San Diego Padres delivered Saturday night certainly won't make you feel any better about this team, which has lost 10 of its last 14 games, especially since the loss knocked the Rangers out of first place for the first time since May 6. They trail the Angels by one-half game in the AL West. That said, we can talk about the Rangers' pitiful offensive performance this month - they delivered another putrid effort against the Padres - but history says the Rangers will eventually hit and score runs. It won't ..."

Pads get sizzling order of Texas toast

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June 27

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Padres went through a considerable climate change between Seattle and Texas. The average game-time temperature for the three games in Seattle was 67 degrees. The game-time temperature last night was 100. Today's forecast is for 103. "Ballplayers feel it, but it doesn't affect them," Padres manager Bud Black said of the heat. "Maybe the starting pitcher feels it a little more. But the best way to beat that, throw strikes and get out of there. Your teammates will love you." That didn't work for Walter Silva, who knows something about the summer heat from his career in Mexico. Only 36 of the 67 pitches thrown by Silva were strikes - and seven of those went for hits."

Rangers ride roughshod over punchless Pads

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June 27

San Diego Union-Tribune

"A night after Wade LeBlanc pitched bad enough to be exiled to Triple-A Portland, Walter Silva was worse. Only Silva wasn't catching a plane bound for the minors after giving up nine runs (eight earned) in 2 1/3 innings. He was eager to catch a cab to the Padres' hotel and watch the disaster he had just been party to. "I am going to sit in my room, watch tapes and see what is wrong with me," Silva said after his early struggles led to a 12-2 Texas rout at Rangers Ballpark tothe Padres to a woeful 3-10 this season in interleague play. "This was my very bad day. And when you have a bad day, you can learn more from it than you can from a good day.""

Bats finally join in on Kevin Millwood's June tune

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June 27

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Here's how Kevin Millwood graded his performance Friday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. His stuff: "Poop." His mechanics: "Stunk." Going a mere six innings: "Disappointing." But the Texas Rangers will probably take that every time Millwood pitches. He logged his 12th quality start of the season, allowing two runs over six labor-intensive innings, and the Rangers' offense reached double figures for the first time this month in a 12-2 victory over San Diego. The mound effort capped one of the best individual pitching logs in baseball for June as Millwood continues to be the leader of a pitching staff that has kept the Rangers afloat in the divisional race while the offense finds its ..."

Duran goes on waivers as Eyre returns

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June 27

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The Texas Rangers were forced to expose German Duran to other organizations in a bid to add some bullpen depth. In a series of moves, the Rangers activated pitcher Willie Eyre from the 60-day disabled list, optioned outfielder Brandon Boggs to Oklahoma City and put Duran on release waivers. The Duran move cleared a spot on the 40-man roster for Eyre. Eyre, who has been out with a right groin strain, gives the Rangers a right-handed reliever who can pitch multiple innings. He also gives them an eight-man bullpen through the weekend. The Rangers were forced to use six relievers Thursday night in their 12-inning victory against Arizona. Manager Ron Washington said he will stick with the ..."

Texas Rangers' Millwood staying hot in June

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June 27

Dallas Morning News

"Here's how Kevin Millwood graded his performance Friday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. His mechanics: "Stunk." Going a mere six innings: "Disappointing." But the Rangers will probably take that every time Millwood pitches. He logged his 12th quality start of the season, allowing two runs over six labor-intensive innings in a 12-2 victory over San Diego. That performance capped one of the best individual pitching logs in baseball for June as Millwood continues to be the leader of a pitching staff that has kept the Rangers afloat in the divisional race while the offense finds its form again. "He's the leader of the pack," manager Ron Washington said. "You need a guy who can sit ..."

Texas Rangers' Byrd stands by his decision about supplements

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June 27

Dallas Morning News

"Rangers outfielder Marlon Byrd understands that fans, the media and even some of his peers in baseball might question his decision to use supplements from Victor Conte, the brains behind the BALCO steroid scandal. But Byrd stands by his decision, first reported by Yahoo Sports on Thursday, saying it's the right thing for him and his career. While others might think Byrd is subjecting himself to the risk of testing positive for a banned substance, he said Conte's help reduces that chance. "People are going to question it. Of course, they are," Byrd said. "His supplements work for me. The things that I'm taking are subtle supplements to play the game. It's weird to say, but it's safer, in ..."

No superstar for Texas Rangers makes role players more valuable

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June 27

Dallas Morning News

columnist Kevin Sherrington

"When the players cast their All-Star votes this weekend, forgive them if they don't give your first-place Rangers much consideration. Question: If you had to name an MVP of a surprising first half, who would you pick? Kevin Millwood? As good as he's been - dependable, solid, a model for the rotation, pretty much just as he was again Friday in a 12-2 win over the Padres - the Rangers are still just 9-7 in his starts. Ian Kinsler? Great April with an OPS of 1.040. Not as great since. Nelson Cruz? Great May with an OPS of .999. Not so great before or since. Michael Young carried the team briefly, but he's hitting .159 with runners in scoring position and has only 28 RBIs. Frankie ..."

Online balloting to decide '09 All-Stars

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June 26

MLB.com

"We, the people, are deciding who goes to the 80th All-Star Game July 14 in St. Louis.We are ready for the mad rush.We are entering that Validation Key over and over, submitting our 25 allotted votes in the 2009 All-Star Game Sprint Online Ballot at MLB.com.We punched those Walt Disney Pictures G-Force All-Star Game paper ballots and left those little chads all over ballparks, and now those last paper ballots are being collected tonight at Pittsburgh and Houston as it goes online-only for the homestretch.We know it's the final week to decide starters. Our deadline as empowered fans is 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, and we know that only because we have been staring at this javascript voting app ..."

Mother's Day bats now up for auction

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June 26

MLB.com

"It has been a big first half of baseball for current American League All-Star first baseman vote front-runner Mark Teixeira, and that included that memorable Mother's Day game back in his hometown of Baltimore, where he crushed a two-run homer for the Yankees.He was swinging a pink bat."It's obviously huge -- I think that's the first home run I've hit with a pink bat, so I'm going to go bring that to Mom right now," Teixeira said on May 9, referring to Margy, a breast cancer survivor who had been diagnosed when he was a freshman at Baltimore's St. Joseph's High School. "As soon as I hit it, I thought about it. It's pretty special to me."Margy may have gotten that pink bat, but another one ..."

Chris Davis turns tips into hits in Texas Rangers' 12th-inning win

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June 26

Dallas Morning News

"The celebration of a landmark achievement wouldn't have been the same had the Texas Rangers lost the finale late Thursday to Arizona. Omar Vizquel finally passed Luis Aparicio to become the all-time leader in hits by a native of Venezuela, but only a victory would allow him to fully enjoy it. Chris Davis helped make sure that Vizquel could savor his slice of history, thanks to a tip the 21-year veteran had given Davis only a day earlier. Davis went 4-for-5, including a two-out, two-run homer in the 12th inning, as the Rangers edged Arizona 9-8 and left Chase Field with a second consecutive victory. "It definitely felt good to swing the bat well and do it throughout the game," said ..."

Rangers frustrate slumping D-Backs

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June 26

Arizona Republic

"The foul tip ricocheted into and out of catcher Miguel Montero's glove in the 12th inning on Thursday night, and instead of having an inning-ending strikeout of Texas Rangers slugger Chris Davis, Diamondbacks reliever Esmerling Vasquez had to throw another pitch. It didn't work out well. Davis took advantage of the reprieve, drilling the next pitch over the right field wall, helping the Rangers to a 9-8 win and a series victory over the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. For the Diamondbacks, it was an eventful night on both ends of the spectrum. In the second inning, outfielder Eric Byrnes suffered a broken bone in his left hand that will cost him at least a month. And in the eighth, Mark ..."

Nolan Ryan in search of a hitting plan for the Texas Rangers

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June 26

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Nolan Ryan arrived some 18 months ago on the Arlington baseball scene, observed rather quietly for a season, wasn't pleased with what he saw, and then he pounced. For this season, the Rangers team president put his own pitching plan in place, which included hiring his own pitching coach. So far the results have been, well, amazing, at least amazing by previous mound standards on Randol Mill Road. Today's question: Nolan, do you also have a hitting plan, and, if so, where is it? Ryan replied, first with a laugh, but I'm not sure it was a ha-ha kind of laugh. "Let's just say I didn't anticipate any hitting woes, not with this club," he answered. "I'd like to think what our ballclub is going ..."

Hamilton could return from injury next week

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June 26

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Just over two weeks have passed since Josh Hamilton had surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle, and he and the Texas Rangers had been playing his recovery close to the vest. The talk suddenly Thursday, though, was whether the All-Star center fielder could return to action next weekend. Hamilton ran at full speed and took batting practice for the first time, and said that he could be activated from the 15-day disabled list for the July 3 game against Tampa Bay. There were dissenting opinions from team brass, but it seems almost certain that Hamilton will return before the All-Star break, barring any setbacks, and play in the All-Star Game if he continues to receive the needed support in ..."

Davis shines in Rangers' late-inning triumph

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June 26

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The celebration of a landmark achievement wouldn't have been the same had the Texas Rangers lost the finale late Thursday to Arizona. Omar Vizquel finally passed Luis Aparicio to become the all-time leader in hits by a native of Venezuela, but only a victory would allow him to fully enjoy it. Chris Davis helped make sure that Vizquel could savor his slice of history, thanks to a tip the 21-year veteran had given Davis only a day earlier. Davis went 4-for-5, including a two-out, two-run homer in the 12th inning, as the Rangers edged Arizona 9-8 and left Chase Field with a second consecutive victory. "It definitely felt good to swing the bat well and do it throughout the game," said Davis, ..."

Padilla, Rangers nip Diamondbacks

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June 25

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"A month has yet to pass since Vicente Padilla plunked Mark Teixeira two times at Yankee Stadium and the next day found himself on outright waivers. The decision by Texas Rangers management to dangle Padilla to the other 29 teams was spurred by a desire to potentially free up some payroll while also sending a message to Padilla that he needed to be more consistent as the Rangers flirted with the postseason. Whether the message found its target, or whether Padilla has gotten stronger after coming off the disabled list, the right-hander has been at his best since the first few days in June. Padilla was solid again Wednesday night at Chase Field, allowing only one run in seven strong innings ..."

Padilla to the rescue: Texas Rangers end losing skid

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June 25

Dallas Morning News

"The likelihood that the Rangers would break out of their June slump against Dan Haren was remote, so once again Wednesday night they needed a strong pitching performance. Cue right-hander Vicente Padilla, who only three weeks ago was riding baseball's waiver wire but outdueled Haren as the Rangers snapped their five-game losing streak. Padilla allowed a run on six hits in seven strong innings, and Frank Francisco and C.J. Wilson preserved the lead with a scoreless inning apiece as the Rangers edged Arizona, 2-1, at Chase Field. Each time Padilla (6-3) needed to make a pitch in a key spot, he did so. After allowing a run in the fifth, he pitched around a one-out triple by striking out ..."

Rangers affiliate activates 43-year-old El Duque

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June 24

CBSSports.com

"The Oklahoma City RedHawks have activated former major league pitcher Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez. Hernandez, 43, was signed to a minor league contract by the Texas Rangers on June 12 in hopes he can bolster the pitching staff. He last pitched in the major leagues in 2007 with the New York Mets, when he was 9-5 with a 3.72 ERA."

D-Backs' bats come alive in win

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June 24

Arizona Republic

"Although it's hard to believe, this Diamondbacks season hasn't been all gloom and doom. An encouraging sign has developed in right field, where Justin Upton continues his rapid ascension from young player to rising star. More proof exploded from the 21-year-old's bat Tuesday night, as Upton slugged a two-run home run and a two-out, run-scoring double to fuel the Diamondbacks' 8-2 win over the slumping Texas Rangers. Was it a must win? Well, at this point, aren't they all? The Diamondbacks had lost three in a row and nine of 13, which put them in a 17-game hole in the National League West, their largest deficit since finishing the 2004 season 42 games back. But winning streaks have to ..."

Rangers offense dry vs. Diamondbacks

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June 24

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"A baseball team that has scored about as well as a soccer team much of this month needed a strong outing from its starting pitcher just to have a chance Tuesday night. Matt Harrison, though, came up with his shortest outing of the season, and the offense-starved Texas Rangers didn't have a chance against the worst team in the National League West. Arizona scorched Harrison for seven runs in 3 2/3 innings, and former Fort Worth Cats pitcher Max Scherzer limited the Rangers for six innings in an 8-2 victory. The loss was the Rangers' fifth in a row, and, coupled with a Los Angeles victory, dropped them into a first-place tie in the American League West. Harrison (4-5) shouldered all of the ..."

If Rangers deal, upgrading bullpen will be likely goal

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June 24

Dallas Morning News

"General manager Jon Daniels said the bullpen is the area that probably could be upgraded by a deal before the July 31 trade deadline, but the Rangers might also try to improve from within the organization for a run at the playoffs. Daniels said the potential trade market has yet to shake out as several teams are trying to determine if they will be sellers. As a result, his volume of conversations with other clubs is the same as other seasons. Even though the Rangers' offense was struggling as it entered a three-game series against Arizona, most of Daniels' future calls with other clubs will center on pitching. "I'm still of the mind-set of continuing to strengthen the pitching staff, if ..."

Hitting amiss, Texas Rangersfifth straight

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June 24

Dallas Morning News

"Each hitter on the Rangers' roster got an individual meeting with Rudy Jaramillo on Tuesday before the start of a three-game series against Arizona. The hitting coach told them how they should approach Diamondbacks right-hander Max Scherzer and told them to apply it during early batting practice. But Jaramillo learned long ago that practice doesn't always carry over into game situations when a team is struggling. The Rangers haven't clicked all month at the plate, and even though they had eight hits Tuesday, they lost, 8-2, to extend their losing streak to five games. The Rangers have matched their longest losing streak of the season. Things won't be any easier tonight as Dan Haren, who ..."

Texas Rangers spotlight: Josh Hamilton

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June 24

Dallas Morning News

"Fans continue to vote often enough for the Rangers' Josh Hamilton to make him a starter for the All-Star Game next month, but don't look for the center fielder to participate as he attempts to get healthy for the second half of the season. Hamilton ran at 50 to 60 percent effort Tuesday at Chase Field and also did agility drills, made throws up to 130 feet and took swings in the batting cage. But he's only two weeks removed from surgery to repair an abdominal muscle that tore away from the pelvic bone, and no date has been targeted for his return. He said he would have to play in a game for the Rangers before he would consider the All-Star Game. Hamilton is third in voting among American ..."

Source: Injured Glaus has trade appeal at 1B/DH

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June 23

Foxsports.com

"Here's another name to consider for all those teams in the market for a first baseman or designated hitter. Troy Glaus. Glaus, who has yet to play this season while recovering from surgery on his right shoulder, is progressing better with his hitting than his throwing, according to a source with knowledge of his recovery process. While Glaus hit off a pitching machine for the first time Monday and could be ready for a minor-league rehabilitation assignment by the middle of next week, he is struggling to throw at distances of greater than 90 feet, the source said. If Glaus cannot play third base, he will be of virtually no use to the Cardinals. Albert Pujols, perhaps the best player in the ..."

Relieved: O'Day, Grilli have revived careers in Texas Rangers' bullpen

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June 23

Dallas Morning News

"The Rangers have a reputation for being a team where pitchers go to have their careers die. But this year, two relievers whose careers were in jeopardy are not only pitching for the Rangers, but are thriving in the change of scenery. Plucked from organizations for next to nothing, Darren O'Day and Jason Grilli weren't even on the radar when the season began. Now they are playing integral roles in the bullpen as the Rangers cling to first place in the American League West "They're both examples that quality bullpen pieces come from all over - waiver claims, small deals, converted starters," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "It's not always the big free-agent pickup. In our ..."

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