Texas Rangers

Rangers call up Davis

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels confirmed Thursday morning that top prospect Chris Davis has been called up and will join the team tonight in Houston. The first baseman tore through Double A and Triple A this season, hitting 23 homers and driving in 73. No corresponding roster move has been made but the callup could signal the end for first baseman Chris Shelton.

- Anthony Andro

Ramirez's big debut

More than his first-ever hit. More than the blast to left-center field.

The thing that impressed manager Ron Washington most about catcher Max Ramirez’s first start in the big leagues was his ability to handle pitches and control the pace of the game behind the plate.

“We can definitely say that he has a future here,” Washington said after the Rangers’ 3-2 win over the Houston Astros. “We just wanted him to go out there and handle our pitching staff and he did that. To me that’s the most important thing.”

Closer C.J. Wilson said that he and Ramirez worked on planning out pitches before the game.

“He basically asked me how I wanted to pitch certain guys,” Wilson said. “We’ve been getting a lot more pitcher-catcher communication lately.”

Ramirez was making his first start after being called up by Double-A Frisco. His two-run home run came on a 3-1 pitch by Roy Oswalt.

“I was just waiting for a fastball,” he said.

- Brad Gray

Rangers win 3-2

C.J. Wilson’s struggles closed out the Rangers’ 3-2 win over Houston. But not without a little drama. 

After a double by Astros third baseman Ty Wiggington and a walk by Michael Bourn, Mark Loretta reached first on a fielding error by third baseman Ramon Vazquez to load the bases.

Miguel Tejada grounded out to shortstop to finish the game and get Wilson.

The Rangers are (once again) back over .500 with a 40-39 record.

- Brad Gray

Cat's double play saves Rangers

Frank Catalanotto turned a diving double play in the bottom of the eighth inning to get Eddie Guardado out of a jam. Catalanotto dove to catch a hard line drive from Hunter Pence then flipped the ball to shortstop Michael Young, catching Carlos Lee who was running back to tag at second.

Had the ball made it past the infield, Carlos Lee might have stood a chance to come around and score.

The Rangers go into the ninth inning with a 3-2 lead.

- Brad Gray

Mendoza keeps Astros at bay

The Rangers got something they’re not used to: quality innings from a reliever.

Luis Mendoza pitched three scoreless innings of relief before Eddie Guardado replaced him in the eighth.

On the Astros side, Chris Sampson retired three straight batters in the eighth to keep the score at 3-2.

- Brad Gray

Oswalt finally done

The Rangers bats will finally get a crack at Houston’s bullpen.

Starter Roy Oswalt has pitched through seven innings so far, giving up seven hits and three runs after 108 pitches. Darin Erstad pinch-hit for Oswalt to lead off in the bottom of the seventh.

In the seventh inning, Rangers left fielder Brandon Boggs hit a single and reached third base after a close call on a sacrifice bunt by relief pitcher Luis Mendoza. Ian Kinsler popped up to first base and Ramon Vazquez grounded to short to let Oswalt out of the inning.

- Brad Gray

Mendoza replaces Feldman

German Duran pinch-hit for Scott Feldman in the top of the fifth inning and Luis Mendoza will replace Feldman on the mound. Mendoza is 0-2 with a 7.11 ERA this season.

Feldman threw 99 pitches and gave up six runs on four hits.

Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt cut through the Rangers lineup again in the fifth, retiring Duran, Ian Kinsler, and Ramon Vaqzuez.

- Brad Gray

Ramirez hits first career HR

Max Ramirez got his first career hit in the second inning of tonight’s game. His first home run was a two-run bomb all the way to the railroad tracks that cross over left field at Minute Maid Park.

Ramirez drove in Frank Catalanatto to put the Rangers ahead, 3-2. He was called up from Double-A Frisco prior to Sunday’s game to replace injured catcher Gerald Laird.

 - Brad Gray

Bourn homer makes it 2-1

Astros center fielder Michael Bourn, who has struggled as of late, hit a two-run home run into the right field upper deck.

Rangers right fielder David Murphy, second baseman Ian Kinsler, and first baseman Frank Catalanotto all ran out to catch a fly ball in foul territory that would have ended the inning. All three ended up in the same spot and the ball dropped to give Loretta another chance.

Rangers starter Scott Feldman has given up four hits and two runs over two innings and the Astros lead 2-1.

In other news, the Astros announced that starting pitcher Shawn Chacon was suspended indefinitely after an apparent confrontation in the team clubhouse before tonight’s game.

- Brad Gray

Feldman escapes first inning

With a single, double, and intentional walk, the Astros loaded the bases in the first inning before Hunter Pence hit a ground ball and stranded all three runners.

Rangers pitcher Scott Feldman got out of the inning after throwing 27 pitches.

- Brad Gray