Texas Rangers

How many Rangers could make All-Star Game?

Manager Ron Washington has to have the American League All-Star team picked by next Saturday, a day ahead of its unveiling. Players have started filling out their ballots, and fan voting continues online only through Thursday.

Washington gets seven picks, but that isn't as significant as it sounds. From that pool Washington must make sure that each team has a representative, and five from the pool must be pitchers.

His biggest hurdle this year might be having to explain why so many Rangers are on the team, or explain to the deserving Rangers not selected why he didn't pick them.

Three pitchers and five positions players would not be a stretch.

The Rangers are looking at three starters via fan balloting: Josh Hamilton, Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli. Ian Kinsler's lead at second base had narrowed, but he could very well end up on the team anyway as a reserve via the player vote. Elvis Andrus could be the backup shortstop.

Joe Nathan is most deserving among the pitching staff. Yu Darvish could get a nod, and Matt Harrison could, too. Heck, Robbie Ross has earned consideration, but he wasn't on the players' ballot. Colby Lewis' teammates believe he should be on the team.

Washington, who used a manager's choice last year on C.J. Wilson, could very well use one on another Rangers starter. Maybe two.

He's going to have some explaining to do, whether it's five Rangers on the AL team or eight.

-- Jeff Wilson

Saturday's lineups: Rangers-Rockies

Craig Gentry rolled his ankle on Friday night, but stayed in the game. The ankle is still sore today, but he's good enough to go.

Here are the full lineups:

Texas -- 1. Ian Kinsler (2B); 2. Elvis Andrus (SS); 3. Josh Hamilton (LF); 4. Adrian Beltre (3B); 5. Michael Young (DH); 6. Nelson Cruz (RF); 7. Mike Napoli (1B); 8. Yorvit Torrealba (C); 9. Craig Gentry (CF).

Pitcher -- Colby Lewis (6-5, 3.00 ERA)

Colorado -- 1. Jonathan Herrera (SS); 2. Jordan Pacheco (3B); 3. Carlos Gonzalez (LF); 4. Jason Giambi (DH); 5. Michael Cuddyer (1B); 6. Tyler Colvin (RF); 7. Chris Nelson (2B); 8. Wil Nieves (C); 9. Dexter Fowler (CF).

Pitcher -- Josh Outman (0-3, 8.41 ERA)

-- Drew Davison

Rangers video: Roy Oswalt on his debut

Roy Oswalt made a strong start in his Texas Rangers debut, going 6 2/3 innings. He allowed one run on nine hits with one walk and six strikeouts. He talked about it afterwards.

 

 

-- Drew Davison

Wrapping up Roy Oswalt's debut, as Rangers win seventh straight

Roy Oswalt made a strong start in his Texas Rangers' debut, and Adrian Beltre summed it up succinctly.

"We expect him to be good, but he was spectacular tonight," Beltre said.

Beltre put Oswalt in line for the victory with a two-run home run in the first inning. That proved to be enough, as Oswalt and the Rangers' bullpen led the way to a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Oswalt allowed one run on nine hits with one walk and six strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings.

Here are a few postgame notes from the game:

* Joe Nathan worked a perfect ninth for his 16th save of the season. He has retired 45 of the last 53 batters he has faced, working 16 scoreless innings with 21 strikeouts over his last 16 appearances.

* Mike Napoli snapped an 0 for 12 slide with a solo home run in the fourth inning. Over his last 10 games, he is 3 for 32 with two home runs.

* Texas is on a seven-game winning streak, one shy of matching the season-long winning streak of eight. It owns the best 71-game record in club history at 44-27. The Rangers are 17 games over .500, and have the best record in baseball.

* The Rangers announced a sold out crowd of 46,964 on Friday night, the 21st sellout of the season. That ties the club record set back in 1994.

-- Drew Davison

Final: Rangers 4, Rockies 1 (Roy Oswalt wins Texas debut)

ARLINGTON – Roy Oswalt made quite a first impression on Friday night.

In his Texas Rangers debut, Oswalt worked 6 2/3 innings and carried the team to a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies at a sold out Rangers Ballpark. Texas has won seven straight, and can match its season-long winning streak with a victory on Saturday.

Oswalt retired eight straight at one point, and worked out of jams all night. In the fifth, he gave up back-to-back one-out singles, but ended that threat by inducing groundouts by Dexter Fowler and Marco Scutaro. He worked around a leadoff walk and a two-out single in a scoreless sixth.

Oswalt gave up his lone run in the seventh. With two outs, Fowler tripled to left and scored on a double by Scutaro. That ended Oswalt’s night, as he threw 110 pitches, 81 for strikes. He allowed one run on nine hits with one walk and six strikeouts, earning the victory.

The Rangers grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first. Josh Hamilton drew a two-out walk, and Adrian Beltre followed with a home run that narrowly cleared the right field fence.

Texas made it 4-0 in the fourth with two more runs. Nelson Cruz had an RBI double, and Mike Napoli swatted a solo home run to right. Those four runs were enough for Oswalt and the Rangers’ bullpen.

Robbie Ross relieved Oswalt in the seventh, and ended the inning by getting Carlos Gonzalez to groundout. Ross and Mike Adams teamed to work the eighth, and Joe Nathan picked up his 16th save with a perfect ninth.

Colorado starter Christian Friedrich went six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with one walk and four strikeouts.

-- Drew Davison

Friday pregame Rangers notes: Options at first base

The injury to Mitch Moreland won't cause the roster disharmony that an injury usually does because the Rangers have three players who have experience at first base.

Michael Young got the first crack at it Wednesday, though he likely would have been there because of interleague play at a National League park. Mike Napoli gets his shot Friday, though he likely would have been at first anyway because Colorado is throwing a left-hander.

Brandon Snyder would wiggle his way into the lineup a couple times while Moreland is out four to six weeks with a strained left hamstring, but Young and Napoli will be the primary guys.

The Moreland injury won't be all bad, as it will give manager Ron Washington a chance to rest outfielders against right-handed hitters. When Young is at first base, the Rangers will need a designated hitter. Washington can slide Leonys Martin into the outfield, and use Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz or even David Murphy at DH for a quasi-day off. That would also give the Rangers an extra left-handed bat in the lineup.

Moreland, naturally, wasn't thrilled to learn that the injury is more serious than hamstring injuries suffered by others recently. Dr. Keith Meister told him that he will miss at least four weeks.

"It's not what I wanted to happen, but we've got to treat it, get it better and get back on the field," Moreland said.

Derek Holland will throw a bullpen session Friday afternoon after also throwing one Wednesday. He will get at least one more, or possibly live batting practice, before heading out on a rehab assignment. Washington said the Rangers will be cautious.

Michael Kirkman has been informed that he doesn't not need any further treatments for a form of skin cancer that was diagnosed in January. He underwent a treatment Thursday in Round Rock, and his doctors gave the all clear. He will continue to visit his oncologist periodically, but no longer will need to take intravenous medicine.

-- Jeff Wilson

Tonight's lineups: Rangers-Rockies

Roy Oswalt makes his Texas Rangers debut tonight against the Colorado Rockies. Oswalt is 8-2 with a 1.94 ERA in 12 career starts against Colorado.

The Rangers' have their usual lineup against a left-handed starter, as Mitch Moreland (who was placed on the disabled list) would have been on the bench. The only change is Adrian Beltre starts at designated hitter, while Michael Young is at third.

Here are the full lineups:

Texas -- 1. Ian Kinsler, 2B; 2. Elvis Andrus, SS; 3. Josh Hamilton, CF; 4. Adrian Beltre, DH; 5. Michael Young, 3B; 6. Nelson Cruz, RF; 7. Mike Napoli, 1B; 8. Yorvit Torrealba, C; 9. Craig Gentry, CF.

Pitcher -- Roy Oswalt.

Colorado -- 1. Dexter Fowler, CF; 2. Marco Scutaro, 2B; 3. Carlos Gonzalez, LF; 4. Jason Giambi, DH; 5. Michael Cuddyer, RF; 6. Todd Helton, 1B; 7. Chris Nelson, 3B; 8. Wilin Rosario, C; 9. Jonathan Herrera, SS.

Pitcher -- Christian Friedrich

-- Drew Davison

Movie talk: Statement from Josh Hamilton on movie project

Here's something released by the Rangers via Josh and Katie Hamilton about the possible film about Hamilton's story. It's not really a statement, as there is no quote from him, and it's not very long, but there are details about his involvement in the movie:

Josh and Katie Hamilton are pleased to announce that they have been approached by Casey Affleck and Thunder Road Pictures and have agreed to the creation of a feature film about their lives. While they are not involved with the actual Hollywood pitching process, the Hamilton’s will be an integral part of the film’s creative direction and accuracy as the project develops.

-- Jeff Wilson

Mitch Moreland lands on DL with strained left hamstring, out 4-6 weeks

Mitch Moreland is heading to the disabled list for the first time in his career.

The Texas Rangers placed the first baseman on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain, and is expected to be out four-to-six weeks. That move clears a spot on the 25-man roster for Roy Oswalt.

However, the Rangers have not made a 40-man roster decision yet. That will be coming shortly.

Moreland was hitting .272 with 10 home runs and 25 RBIs in 55 games (158 at-bats) for the Rangers. He injured his hamstring on Tuesday in San Diego.

-- Drew Davison

Rangers prospects Mike Olt, Jurickson Profar selected for Futures Game

Mike Olt and Jurickson Profar, the top power hitting prospect and the best all-around prospect in the Texas Rangers' farm system, have been selected for this year's Futures Game.

Olt, a third baseman, will play for the U.S. team, while Profar, a shortstop, will represent the World team on July 8 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

Double A Frisco manager Steve Buechele will be a coach for the World team.

It's the second consecutive year for the 19-year-old Profar to be selected for the game. He is batting .295 with seven home runs, 17 doubles, six triples and 32 RBIs in 68 games for Frisco.

His infield teammate, Olt, has batted .308 with a Texas League-leading 20 home runs, 13 doubles and 58 RBIs in 67 games for the Rough Riders. Olt, 23, was the Rangers' minor league player of the month for May.

-- Drew Davison