Texas Rangers

Hamilton collects an ugly RBI

He hit a tapper to first that Willy Aybar botched. He could have tagged Hamilton, but instead threw home to try and get Julio Borbon. That move failed and Hamilton was safe at first with RBI No. 50, putting Texas up 5-3 after five innings.

- Anthony Andro

Hamilton's first at-bat ends with souvenir

It wasn't a home run ball, however. With runners on first and third with no outs, he struck out swinging against James Shields. His bat went flying into the stands behind the Texas dugout on the third strike.

- Anthony Andro

Make your spring training plans now

The Rangers are handing out 2010 calendars this weekend, and they include spring training dates. The Rangers will open spring training March 3 against the Kansas City Royals. Games end in April, with the Rangers playing the Royals at Rangers Ballpark April 2 and again in Frisco April 3. Los Angeles (AL), Seattle, Arizona, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Los Angeles (NL), Chicago (NL), Chicago (AL), Oakland and Colorado will make trips to Surprise.

- Anthony Andro

Friday lineups

Rangers

1. Julio Borbon, LF

2. Elvis Andrus, SS

3. Josh Hamilton, DH

4. Marlon Byrd, CF

5. Hank Blalock, 1B

6. Ian Kinsler, 2B

7. David Murphy, RF

8. Ivan Rodriguez, C

9. Chris Davis, 3B

Rays

1. Jason Bartlett, SS

2. Carl Crawford, LF

3. Evan Longoria, 3B

4. Ben Zobrist, 2B

5. Pat Burrell, DH

6. Willy Aybar, 1B

7. Gabe Kapler, RF

8. Dioner Navarro, C

9. B.J. Upton, CF

- Anthony Andro

Josh Hamilton is back

Josh Hamilton will start at designated hitter and bat third tonight for the Rangers. The two-time All-Star hasn't played since Sept. 2 with a pinched nerve in his back, followed by a strained muscle in his lower back. He started taking batting practice during the four-game road trip at Oakland, and manager Ron Washington said Hamilton would likely return this weekend.

-- Jeff Wilson

Scott Feldman lasts only 3 1/3 as Rangers trail 7-2

There will be no victory in a ninth consecutive road start for Scott Feldman, who allowed seven runs in 3 1/3 innings against Oakland. The Rangers trail 7-2 as Feldman allowed seven hits and issued a career-high-tying five walks. The final three hits he allowed were a double, triple and homer in the fourth inning.

-- Jeff Wilson

Ryan contacts prospective owner

A source has confirmed an mlb.com report that Nolan Ryan has shown interest in possibly joining the group being put together by sports attorney Chuck Greenberg to purchase the Rangers. Greenberg was reached earlier today and declined comment, but sources have confirmed that he is the front man for a group of investors that has made one of six offers to purchase the Rangers from Hicks Sports Group. Owner Tom Hicks also declined comment.

-- Jeff Wilson

Oakland rallies into 4-2 lead

Scott Feldman matched his career-high with five walks in three innings, including one that forced in a run as Oakland scored four times in the third to take a 4-2 lead. He has thrown 75 pitches, 39 of which came in the third. Plate umpire Chuck Meriwether hasn't endured himself with Feldman or the Rangers' bench. All four runs came with two outs, the first of which came on a 3-2 curveball to Daric Barton that narrowly missed outside.

-- Jeff Wilson

Rangers take 2-0 lead

Two errors in the first inning opened the door to one run, and David Murphy had a two-out run scoring single in the third to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead heading to the bottom of the third. The Rangers didn't have a hit until the third, when Ian Kinsler blooped a single into right field. He then stole second base for his 30th swipe of the season. He now needs only a homer to join the 30-30 club. Murphy brought him home with a single to left.

Scott Feldman has tossed two scoreless innings as he bids for his 18th victory and 13th on the road. Feldman had some control issues in the second, when he allowed a leadoff single and walked two with two outs. But Hank Blalock made another nice play at first base to end the A's bases-loaded threat.

-- Jeff Wilson

Today's lineups

Craig Gentry will make his first major-league start as Nelson Cruz is given a rest day. Manager Ron Washington said he has been trying to get Gentry a start the for a few weeks, and a day game after a night game against a left-hander was a good fit.

Rangers lineup

Ian Kinsler, 2b

Elvis Andrus, ss

David Murphy, lf

Andruw Jones, dh

Hank Blalock, 1b

Marlon Byrd, cf

Chris Davis, 3b

Taylor Teagarden, c

Craig Gentry, rf

A's lineup

Adam Kennedy, 3b

Rajai Davis, cf

Ryan Sweeney, rf

Jack Cust, dh

Landon Powell, c

Daric Barton, 1b

Eric Patterson, 2b

Travis Buck, lf

Cliff Pennington, ss

-- Jeff Wilson