Texas Rangers

Is Frank Francisco the Rangers MVP?

Manager Ron Washington said he's been an MVP for the Rangers following Saturday night's victory. After his performance, it's hard to argue. Francisco needed just nine pitches to work the eighth inning, getting Bobby Abreu to ground out before striking out the Angels No. 4 and 5 hitters, Torii Hunter and Hideki Matsui.

While Francisco may no longer be the team's closer, he still has the ability to dominate. In his last 25 outings, he's walked just two batters and struck out 28 in 24 1/3 innings.

"I just try and go out there and put a zero on the scoreboard," Francisco said. "Sometimes in those situations I feel like we prepare ourselves a little better. The adrenalin is going. I was trying to go out there with my best stuff. I put a goal in my mind of going out there and bringing my best stuff every time."

- Anthony Andro

Less thinking helps Rangers Rich Harden

Saturday night's great start by right-hander Rich Harden was helped by the fact that Harden didn't over- analyze things between pitches. He said he's never been that type of pitcher before in his career, but fell into that routine this year. "It helped not thinking too much and going out there and throwing it," Harden said. Saturday night he took the approach of trust your stuff and throw the ball. It worked out to the tune of seven innings, five hits and one run in a 2-1 victory.

Here are a couple of other thoughts from Harden

"It felt good. It's been a long wait, just thinking about getting out there. It's not a good feeling not being able to pitch and not being able to help your team out. I really wanted to go out and be aggressive and put the ball in play."

"Keeping a consistent arm slot makes me more effective as a pitcher. I've had a tendency this year of dropping my arm slot and pushing so my offspeed stuff is either a ball or have a different look to them. Guys can lay off or adjust to it."

- Anthony Andro

Josh Hamilton is a late scratch for the Rangers

David Murphy will start in Hamilton's place. Hamilton had received treatment on for tendinitis in his right knee today, and was originally in the lineup. We'll get an update later.

- Anthony Andro

Jarrod Saltalamacchia excited about opportunity

Jarrod Saltalamacchia said he didn't ask the Rangers for a trade, but he's looking forward to getting a chance with a new organization. Saltalamacchia was en route to Dallas Saturday and will head to Pawtucket Sunday to join the Red Sox Triple A club.

"We'll just see what happens," Saltalamacchia said. "There's nothing for me to be upset about. It's a fresh start for me and I'm ready to get going."

If you were expecting Saltalamacchia to rip the Rangers, it's not going to happen.

"I'm going to a great organization and coming from one," he said. "It's a great bunch of guys and I've got nothing bad to say. I'm not upset with this deal at all."

- Anthony Andro

Saturday notes and lineup

Josh Hamilton isn't scheduled to get another cortisone shot, and is in the lineup tonight in left field. Cristian Guzman is also in the lineup at second base. He's hitting behind Jorge Cantu.

Guzman got to Anaheim today. When he was first informed of a potential trade, he initially refused the deal to Texas. He said one of the reasons was because of his family. He then had a change of heart and accepted the deal.

General manager Jon Daniels said the trade of Jarrod Saltalamacchia might be good for him because of the change of scenery. Daniels said the Rangers will use the cash they received to sign more draft picks.

Doug Mathis has been sent to Oklahoma City to make room for Rich Harden.

As for the Rangers lineup with Rich Harden on the mound.

1. Elvis Andrus, SS

2. Michael Young, 3B

3. Josh Hamilton, LF

4. Vladimir Guerrero, DH

5. Nelson Cruz, RF

6. Cristian Guzman, 2B

7. Jorge Cantu, 1B

8. Bengie Molina, C

9. Julio Borbon, CF

Angels

1. Erick Aybar, SS

2. Maicer Izturis, 2B

3. Bobby Abreu, RF

4. Torii Hunter, CF

5. Hideki Matsui, DH

6. Alberto Callaspo, 3B

7. Howie Kendrick, 1B

8. Juan Rivera, LF

9. Mike Napoli, C

- Anthony Andro

- Anthony Andro

Rangers trade for Cristian Guzman is official

The Rangers have officially acquired Cristian Guzman for Tanner Roark and Ryan Tatusko. To make room for Guzman, the Rangers have put Joaquin Arias on the disabled list with a strained back muscle.

Guzman could make his Rangers debut tonight.

- Anthony Andro

Rangers deal Jarrod Saltalamacchia to Boston

The catcher, who has spent the majority of the season with Triple A, was sent to the Red Sox in exchange for three players. The Rangers are getting right-handed pitcher Roman Mendez, first baseman Chris McGuiness, a player to be named later and cash considerations.

Saltalamacchia played in just two games for the Rangers this year before going on the disabled list. Saltlalamacchia, who at the time was the key in the Mark Teixeira trade, was hitting .241 with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs before the trade.

Mendez, who turned 20 on July 25, is 2-3 with a 4.36 ERA in 8 starts for Lowell (short season-A). McGuiness, 22, is batting .298 (84-282) with 20 doubles, 12 homers and 46 RBI in 78 games at Greenville in 2010.

- Anthony Andro

An update on Josh Hamilton's knee

The Texas outfielder and most valuable player candidate is hoping to get another cortisone shot soon as he right knee tendinitis flared up again Friday, forcing him to leave the game in the sixth inning. Hamilton, who has been bothered by the knee for most of the season, felt some pain before batting practice but tried to play through it.

He said the pain didn't force him out, but the feeling of the knee giving out on him in centerfield was the difference. He is still hoping to be in the lineup Saturday, but isn't sure.

"I'm going to come in early tomorrow and get treatment on it all day," said Hamilton, who moved from center to left field during the game in hopes of easing the problem. The giving out thing is the biggest part if I can't go get a ball or I can't turn on it like I need to."

Hamilton has had one cortisone shot in the knee already this season, and was hoping to avoid another.

"We'll talk about it and we'll see what they say," Hamilton said. "I listen to whatever (trainer) Jamie (Reed) and them tell me."

- Anthony Andro

Angels 9, Rangers 7

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Texas right-hander Tommy Hunter suffered his first loss of the season as the Los Angeles Angels rallied for a 9-7 victory Friday night.

Hunter (8-1) allowed eight runs on eight hits in just three innings. The Rangers staked him to a 5-0 lead, but Hunter allowed four runs in the second and four more in the fourth as he was pulled without retiring a batter.

Texas had Los Angeles starter Ervin Santana on the ropes early, scoring seven times in the first four inninngs. But he ended up pitching six innings and picking up the victory.

Texas had 12 hits, with Elvis Andrus collecting four of them, scoring twice and adding an RBI single. Josh Hamilton had an RBI double in the first and David Murphy's RBI double made it a 3-0 game. Vladimir Guerrero's two-run single in the second upped the score to 5-0.

Hamilton left the game in the seventh inning because of tendinitis in his right knee.

Nelson Cruz hit a homer in the fourth inning to extend his hitting streak to 18 games, giving the Rangers a 7-4 lead. It was also the last run the Rangers scored.

- Anthony Andro

The Rangers will platoon at first base

Mitch Moreland, who is starting tonight, will get the majority of starts vs. right-handers according to Texas manager Ron Washington. Jorge Cantu will play against left-handers. Washington said it will not be a strict platoon, as Cantu will also face right-handers. Cantu will be in the lineup Saturday vs. right-hander Dan Haren. Cantu said he's okay with playing part time, as long as the team is winning. Washington said he didn't think Moreland would play any in the outfield, but didn't rule it out either.

- Anthony Andro