Texas Rangers

New Rangers-Royals lineup

The batting order isn't new for the Rangers, but the defensive alignment is. Josh Hamilton will be the designated hitter as the Rangers try to get him off his feet for a day to help him cope with some minor aches and pains. David Murphy moves from left field to center, where he's played a total of six inning this year. Vladimir Guerrero stays in the lineup and becomes the right fielder, and Nelson Cruz moves to left, where he has played four innings this year.

Rangers lineup vs. RHP Kyle Davies: Elvis Andrus, ss; Michael Young, 3b; Josh Hamilton, dh; Vladimir Guerrero, rf; Nelson Cruz, lf; David Murphy, cf; Bengie Molina, c; Mitch Moreland, 1b; Andres Blanco, 2b.

Royals lineup vs. LHP C.J. Wilson: Gregor Blanco, cf; Jason Kendall, c; Billy Butler, 1b; Wilson Betemit, 3b; Yuniesky Betancourt, ss; Brayan Pena, dh; Mike Aviles, 2b; Willie Bloomquist, rf; Jai Miller, lf.

-- Jeff Wilson

A few quick-hitting Rangers pregame notes

The starting rotation remains in flux, though manager Ron Washington said that the five pitchers who started the last time through are currently in line to make their next starts. But that could change by Wednesday, when Washington, his staff and the front office have their say. The one constant appears to be that everyone will get an extra day by virtue of an off day Thursday.

The Rangers have re-upped their agreements with Double A Frisco, Low A Clinton and short-season Spokane through at least 2012. The Frisco extension runs through 2014. The Rangers are all but certainly going to move their Triple A affiliate from Oklahoma City to Nolan Ryan-owned Round Rock and High A Bakersfield out of the hitter-friendly California League.

Dustin Nippert will pitch again Wednesday, this time for Oklahoma City, and could be ready to rejoin the Rangers on Friday. He hasn't pitched in a big-league game since July 19, when he was hit in the head by a line drive at Detroit.

The Rangers will likely stagger their September call-ups this year to help Oklahoma City remain competitive in the Pacific Coast League playoffs. The RedHawks haven't clinched yet but lead their division by two games with about a week left.

-- Jeff Wilson

Tonight's Rangers-Royals lineups

Take a look at the Rangers' starting outfield tonight. It could be the one that manager Ron Washington uses more often than not the rest of the season. David Murphy is in left field, Josh Hamilton is in center and Nelson Cruz, fresh off the disabled list, is in right. It's the lineup that Washington said produces the most runs. Julio Borbon will get time, to give Murphy days off and allow Hamilton to cover less ground in left field.

Rangers lineup vs. RHP Kyle Davies: Elvis Andrus, ss; Michael Young, 3b; Josh Hamilton, cf; Vladimir Guerrero, dh; Nelson Cruz, rf; David Murphy, lf; Bengie Molina, c; Mitch Moreland, 1b; Andres Blanco, 2b.

Royals lineup vs. LHP C.J. Wilson: Gregor Blanco, cf; Jason Kendall, c; Billy Butler, 1b; Wilson Betemit, 3b; Yuniesky Betancourt, ss; Brayan Pena, dh; Mike Aviles, 2b; Willie Bloomquist, rf; Jai Miller, lf.

-- Jeff Wilson

Rangers roster moves

Right fielder Nelson Cruz (left hamstring) has been reinstated from the 15-day disabled list, and outfielder Brandon Boggs has been optioned to Triple A. Also, outfielder Craig Gentry was recalled from Triple A and placed on the 15-day DL with a broken wrist. The Rangers are considering whether to use Gentry as a pinch-runner late in the season even though he will be wearing a cast and typically slides head-first.

-- Jeff Wilson

Rangers Mailbag is open

The Rangers Mailbag is down its final five editions for this season, not that anyone here is counting. A season wrap-up/off-season preview might be considered for October or November. For now, let's work on this week's version. Please send any questions or comments to jwilson@star-telegram.com and please include your name and hometown. Last week's edition, published late Friday, can be found here.

-- Jeff Wilson

Sunday Rangers postgame nuggets

Colby Lewis felt like he pitched pretty well Sunday, but his throwing error and some singles hurt him. Lewis was also upset with fans after he was booed leaving the game in the sixth inning. Lewis hadn't allowed more than five runs in any start this season before allowing six earned Sunday.

As for the nuggets ...

Sunday marked the first time the Rangers have lost consecutive games at home since the All-Star break.

Colby Lewis is 0-6 with a 4.01 ERA in his last eight starts.

Josh Hamilton has hit safely in 49 of his last 50 home games, and is hitting .430 in that stretch.

Michael Kirkman has allowed just three hits in his 6 1/3 innings with the Rangers.

Since Aug. 19, the Texas bullpen has a 1.37 ERA.

And for those who think the sky is falling, while the Rangers face Kansas City for three without facing Zack Greinke or Luke Hochevar, Oakland heads to New York for four games.

- Anthony Andro

Athletics 8, Rangers 2

ARLINGTON — The Oakland Athletics tightened the race in the American League West Sunday with plenty of help from the Texas Rangers.

Oakland cut the lead to 7 1/2 games with an 8-2 victory. The A's took two of three in the series and have won eight of the 15 meetings between the two teams.

Texas did everything it could to aid Oakland, committing two errors and adding another mental error in the field. With Oakland already leading 2-1 with one out in the fifth, Kurt Suzuki hit what should have been a double-play grounder back to Colby Lewis. But Lewis' throw sailed into center field, allowing Cliff Pennington to score.

Jack Cust followed with a grounder back to first baseman Jorge Cantu. But instead of throwing home to get the out, Cantu stepped on first and threw to second to start a double play. The rundown that ensued allowed Daric Barton to score.

The defensive lapses might not have made much of a difference as the Rangers were stymied by Oakland left-hander Gio Gonzalez. The Rangers managed just two runs off Gonzalez in his six innings, and scored just two runs in the final 22 innings of the series.

Lewis (9-11) allowed a season seven high runs in his 5 2/3 innings, and he hasn't won a start since July 16 vs. Boston. He didn't allow a hit through the first two innings, but then gave up runs in each of the next four innings.

Texas had just six hits, with Josh Hamilton collecting both RBIs with an RBI single in the third and a solo home run in the sixth inning.

- Anthony Andro

New A's-Rangers lineups

Nothing has happened to cause these lineup changes. There was just a clerical error along the way. Mark Ellis and Jeff Larish swap spots in the Oakland lineup, and David Murphy is the Rangers' starting right fielder and No. 6 hitter.

But Elvis Andrus, as promised, still gets a day off today, meaning that Andres Blanco and Alex Cora will made the middle-infield spots. Blanco, the shortstop, and his hot bat (8 for 16 on the homestand) occupy the top spot of the lineup against an A's team that is a spectacular 29-13 in day games.

A's lineup vs. RHP Colby Lewis: Coco Crisp, cf; Daric Barton, 1b; Kurt Suzuki, c; Jack Cust, dh; Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3b; Mark Ellis, 2b; Jeff Larish, lf; Rajai Davis, rf; Cliff Pennington, ss.

Rangers lineup vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez: Andres Blanco, ss; Michael Young, 3b; Josh Hamilton, lf; Vladimir Guerrero, dh; Jorge Cantu, 1b; David Murphy, rf; Bengie Molina, c; Alex Cora, 2b; Julio Borbon, cf.

-- Jeff Wilson

Today's A's-Rangers lineups

Elvis Andrus, as promised, gets a day off today, meaning that Andres Blanco and Alex Cora will made the middle-infield spots. Blanco, the shortstop, and his hot bat (8 for 16 on the homestand) occupy the top spot of the lineup against an A's team that is a spectacular 29-13 in day games.

A's lineup vs. RHP Colby Lewis: Coco Crisp, cf; Daric Barton, 1b; Kurt Suzuki, c; Jack Cust, dh; Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3b; Jeff Larish, lf; Mark Ellis, 2b; Rajai Davis, rf; Cliff Pennington, ss.

Rangers lineup vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez: Andres Blanco, ss; Michael Young, 3b; Josh Hamilton, lf; Vladimir Guerrero, dh; Jorge Cantu, 1b; Mitch Moreland, rf; Bengie Molina, c; Alex Cora, 2b; Julio Borbon, cf.

-- Jeff Wilson

Sunday pre-game notes

Texas manager Ron Washington said the off day Thursday will give the team a chance to give all five starters an extra day of rest, including Cliff Lee. Rich Harden is slated to start Friday against Minnesota.

Scott Feldman will throw on flat ground today and throw a bullpen tomorrow. He could go on a rehab assignment later this week.

Nelson Cruz is back with the team, and will start in right field Monday.

- Anthony Andro