TORONTO – At first glance, it appears the Texas Rangers’ lefty “problem” is growing.

On Friday, they managed only a pair of home runs in a 3-2 loss to Toronto’s mohawked, mutton-chopped, goggle-eyed Brett Cecil. It was the second time in five days the Rangers have lost to Cecil and the third straight time since Adrian Beltre went to the disabled list a week ago that they’ve looked helpless against a lefty. They’ve scored four runs in those three games.

To suggest, though, that this was about a lefty shutting them down would be inaccurate. The problem was far more serious.

It was about execution. Or to be more precise, it was about the lack of it.

Execution – getting bunts down, moving runners over, being aggressive – is supposed to be the hallmark of the Rangers’ offense. On Friday, it was sorely lacking.

“They had one good inning and got three runs, and we had two good ones and got two runs,” manager Ron Washington said. “We didn’t execute. We didn’t execute a bunt. We had runners at first and third and popped a ball up. It was execution. Simple execution.”

The two particular moments to which Washington referred were heinous crimes against his philosophy of baseball.

To wit:

In the fourth inning, the Rangers had runners at first and third on a double by Michael Young and a sharp one-out single by Mike Napoli. That brought Mitch Moreland, one of the three lefties in the starting lineup, to the plate.

Moreland, who entered the game hitting just .205 vs. left-handers this season, had beaten the shift employed against him with a single up the middle in his first at-bat. In the fourth, he tried – perhaps too hard – to lift a ball to the outfield for a sacrifice fly. Instead, he popped out to the catcher.

“He just tried to serve it,” Washington said.

In the sixth, the Rangers had consecutive singles to start the inning from Josh Hamilton and Michael Young. Endy Chavez, who replaced Nelson Cruz after Cruz felt tightness in his left quadriceps, was asked to bunt the two runners over. He bunted toward third base but wasn’t able to get it down firmly enough to make Jose Bautista leave third base to field it.

Instead, Cecil raced over toward the line, fielded it and threw to Bautista at third for a fielder’s choice. The inning disintegrated after that, with Mike Napoli popping out and Moreland grounding out.

Those were the two most egregious violations of Washington’s philosophy, but there were others that have been longer-range issues.

Take the leadoff spot, for example. When Ian Kinsler gets on base, he revs the offense up. When he doesn’t, things come to a screeching halt.

During the Rangers’ 12-game winning streak, it looked like Kinsler had finally found a successful approach and pushed his season batting average close to .260. That run included a two-homer game off Seattle’s Felix Hernandez. Since then, Kinsler has gone 9-for-54 (.167), including Friday’s 0-for-5 performance. It only raises more concerns that when he gets locked in, he may take the game for granted.

TORONTO (AP)—Coming up empty on a pair of small-ball opportunities proved
costly for the Texas Rangers.

J.P. Arencibia(notes) hit a three-run homer, Brett Cecil(notes) beat All-Star Alexi Ogando(notes)
for the second straight start and the Toronto Blue Jays edged the Rangers 3-2
Friday night.

“They had one good inning where they put up three, we had two good innings
where we put up one,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “It was execution
tonight.”

Nelson Cruz(notes) and Mike Napoli(notes) homered for the Rangers, who lost for the third
time in four games and saw Cruz leave in the fifth inning with tightness in his
left quadriceps.

Texas put runners at the corners with one out in the fourth, but Mitch
Moreland(notes) fouled out and Yorvit Torrealba(notes) struck out.

The Rangers threatened again in the sixth, when Josh Hamilton(notes) and Michael
Young(notes) opened the inning with consecutive singles. With Endy Chavez(notes) batting in
Cruz’s spot, Hamilton was forced at third on a failed sacrifice bunt. The inning
ended when Napoli popped up and Moreland grounded out.

“It’s those little things that usually come back to haunt you and they came
back and haunted us tonight,” Washington said.

Young said the Rangers need to work harder at moving runners over and coming
through in scoring opportunities. Texas went 1 for 9 with men in scoring
position and stranded eight runners.

“It’s tough to sit there and try and go double, double, homer, double,”
Young said. “Those things just happen naturally. For us, we have to bear down
on the fundamental parts of the game, not try and do too much. That’s a common
theme for us, at least it was tonight.”

For Cecil, getting the out at third on Chavez’s bunt was successful
execution of a well-rehearsed play.

“It’s a big play,” Cecil said. “We practice that more than anything at
spring training. So it’s like second nature.”

Cecil (4-4) pitched a four-hitter in Toronto’s 3-0 victory at Arlington last
Sunday and was sharp again in this one. The left-hander allowed one run and
seven hits in seven innings to win consecutive starts for the first time this
season.

“The guy has got tremendous off-speed stuff,” Washington said. “We knew
that and we still couldn’t stay back like we should have.”

Frank Francisco(notes) worked the eighth and Jon Rauch(notes) pitched around Napoli’s
homer to close it out for his ninth save in 13 opportunities.

Demoted to Triple-A Las Vegas in late April following a rough start to the
season, Cecil is 3-2 with a 3.32 ERA in six starts since rejoining Toronto’s
rotation on June 30.

Edwin Encarnacion(notes) went 2 for 2 with two walks for the Blue Jays, who have
won three straight and seven of 10 overall.

The AL West-leading Rangers had won 11 straight series openers, but failed
to extend that streak in their first visit to Toronto this season.

Cruz got Texas on the board with a leadoff drive to left in the second for
his team-leading 23rd homer, snapping Cecil’s stretch of 15 consecutive
scoreless innings. Cruz has three homers and 12 RBIs in eight games against the
Blue Jays this season.

Cruz went 1 for 2 before being replaced by Chavez in the fifth. Cruz is
day-to-day, but Washington said he might give him the rest of the weekend off to
avoid aggravating the injury on Toronto’s artificial surface.

“I wasn’t taking any chances, especially on this turf,” Washington said.
“He passed all the tests, his strength is good, just not going to take any
chances on this turf. The shocks stay inside your body.”

David Murphy(notes) moved from left to right, Hamilton went from center to left and
Chavez took over in center after Cruz left.

Ogando set down nine of his first 10 batters, but the Blue Jays grabbed
control in the fifth.

Aaron Hill(notes) reached on an infield single and Travis Snider(notes) singled to left
before Arencibia mashed a slider into the left field bullpen for his 17th homer.

“It kind of fooled me a little bit because he throws hard and you’ve really
got to sit on the fastball,” Arencibia said. “I was able to still get my hands
extended and drive it out of the park.”

Napoli’s leadoff drive in the ninth was his 14th.

Ogando (10-5) allowed three runs and four hits in 5 2-3 innings. He walked a
season-high four and struck out four.

Texas had won nine of 13 away from home coming in but fell below .500 on the
road at 25-26.

Notes: Rangers INF Adrian Beltre(notes), on the 15-day disabled list with a sore
left hamstring, began his first day of exercises, one week after he was injured
while running the bases. Beltre, who leads the team with 76 RBIs, is expected to
miss two to three weeks. … Torrealba made his second career start at
designated hitter as Washington loaded his lineup with right-handed batters. …
Blue Jays LHP Brad Mills(notes) makes his first start of the season Saturday, facing
Rangers LHP Derek Holland(notes). … Rangers minor league RHP Joseph Wieland threw a
no-hitter at San Antonio. Wieland walked one and struck out seven in a 3-0
victory for Double-A Frisco.

TORONTO (AP) — Coming up empty on a pair of small-ball opportunities proved costly for the Texas Rangers.

J.P. Arencibia hit a three-run homer, Brett Cecil beat All-Star Alexi Ogando for the second straight start and the Toronto Blue Jays edged the Rangers 3-2 Friday night.

“They had one good inning where they put up three, we had two good innings where we put up one,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “It was execution tonight.”

Nelson Cruz and Mike Napoli homered for the Rangers, who lost for the third time in four games and saw Cruz leave in the fifth inning with tightness in his left quadriceps.

Texas put runners at the corners with one out in the fourth, but Mitch Moreland fouled out and Yorvit Torrealba struck out.

The Rangers threatened again in the sixth, when Josh Hamilton and Michael Young opened the inning with consecutive singles. With Endy Chavez batting in Cruz’s spot, Hamilton was forced at third on a failed sacrifice bunt. The inning ended when Napoli popped up and Moreland grounded out.

“It’s those little things that usually come back to haunt you and they came back and haunted us tonight,” Washington said.

Young said the Rangers need to work harder at moving runners over and coming through in scoring opportunities. Texas went 1 for 9 with men in scoring position and stranded eight runners.

“It’s tough to sit there and try and go double, double, homer, double,” Young said. “Those things just happen naturally. For us, we have to bear down on the fundamental parts of the game, not try and do too much. That’s a common theme for us, at least it was tonight.”

For Cecil, getting the out at third on Chavez’s bunt was successful execution of a well-rehearsed play.

“It’s a big play,” Cecil said. “We practice that more than anything at spring training. So it’s like second nature.”

Cecil (4-4) pitched a four-hitter in Toronto’s 3-0 victory at Arlington last Sunday and was sharp again in this one. The left-hander allowed one run and seven hits in seven innings to win consecutive starts for the first time this season.

“The guy has got tremendous off-speed stuff,” Washington said. “We knew that and we still couldn’t stay back like we should have.”

Frank Francisco worked the eighth and Jon Rauch pitched around Napoli’s homer to close it out for his ninth save in 13 opportunities.

Demoted to Triple-A Las Vegas in late April following a rough start to the season, Cecil is 3-2 with a 3.32 ERA in six starts since rejoining Toronto’s rotation on June 30.

Edwin Encarnacion went 2 for 2 with two walks for the Blue Jays, who have won three straight and seven of 10 overall.

The AL West-leading Rangers had won 11 straight series openers, but failed to extend that streak in their first visit to Toronto this season.

Cruz got Texas on the board with a leadoff drive to left in the second for his team-leading 23rd homer, snapping Cecil’s stretch of 15 consecutive scoreless innings. Cruz has three homers and 12 RBIs in eight games against the Blue Jays this season.

Cruz went 1 for 2 before being replaced by Chavez in the fifth. Cruz is day-to-day, but Washington said he might give him the rest of the weekend off to avoid aggravating the injury on Toronto’s artificial surface.

“I wasn’t taking any chances, especially on this turf,” Washington said. “He passed all the tests, his strength is good, just not going to take any chances on this turf. The shocks stay inside your body.”

David Murphy moved from left to right, Hamilton went from center to left and Chavez took over in center after Cruz left.

Ogando set down nine of his first 10 batters, but the Blue Jays grabbed control in the fifth.

Aaron Hill reached on an infield single and Travis Snider singled to left before Arencibia mashed a slider into the left field bullpen for his 17th homer.

“It kind of fooled me a little bit because he throws hard and you’ve really got to sit on the fastball,” Arencibia said. “I was able to still get my hands extended and drive it out of the park.”

Napoli’s leadoff drive in the ninth was his 14th.

Ogando (10-5) allowed three runs and four hits in 5 2-3 innings. He walked a season-high four and struck out four.

Texas had won nine of 13 away from home coming in but fell below .500 on the road at 25-26.

Notes: Rangers INF Adrian Beltre, on the 15-day disabled list with a sore left hamstring, began his first day of exercises, one week after he was injured while running the bases. Beltre, who leads the team with 76 RBIs, is expected to miss two to three weeks. … Torrealba made his second career start at designated hitter as Washington loaded his lineup with right-handed batters. … Blue Jays LHP Brad Mills makes his first start of the season Saturday, facing Rangers LHP Derek Holland. … Rangers minor league RHP Joseph Wieland threw a no-hitter at San Antonio. Wieland walked one and struck out seven in a 3-0 victory for Double-A Frisco.

TO

ARLINGTON, Texas
– Throughout their history, from Jeff Burroughs to Juan Gonzalez and Rafael Palmeiro, and on to the current group led by Josh Hamilton, the Texas Rangers have been known for their ability to score in bunches.

Monday night provided the latest entry to their legacy of big-bang offense when they put up the most runs and hits in the majors this season in a 20-6 rout of the Minnesota Twins.

A day later, the Rangers’ clubhouse was still full of talk about the glut of offense as they got ready for the second of a four-game series against the Twins.

“Nobody wanted to make an out,” Nelson Cruz said on Tuesday, recalling his four-hit effort. “It’s contagious.”

It was hardly a team record-setting performance, however. The Rangers have scored at least 20 runs five times in their history, including a 30-3 pasting of the Baltimore Orioles on Aug. 22, 2007.

Rangers players say their dugout is usually loose, but it was looser than usual with the pressure off when they built an 18-1 advantage after five innings.

“When you get a big lead, it’s a time you relax in the dugout,” said Ian Kinsler, who had a homer among his four hits and matched a career high with four RBIs. “But when you walk up to the plate, you still try to take the best at-bat you can. There’s probably more (sunflower) seeds, more gum flying around (in the dugout).”

The Rangers have maintained focus on offense all season. Prior to Tuesday’s game, they led the AL in hits (988), were second in batting average (.276), second in runs (526) and second in homers (125).

“It’s a loose group, but we’re ultra-competitive too,” said Michael Young, who homered and drove in three runs. “There’s no lackadaisical attitude. We still take our at-bats very seriously. We don’t give any away.”

Rangers manager Ron Washington said it would be natural to let up with a big lead, but his team didn’t do that.

“We didn’t let down,” Washington said. “But your mind is less cluttered. You’re less worried about things. But you can’t let down because you can’t turn this game on and off. So when you’re flowing, you’ve got to go with it. And it was flowing yesterday.”

The Rangers had a league-best 27 hits and became the first team to score 20 runs since Milwaukee beat Pittsburgh 20-0 on April 22 last season.

Mike Napoli also had four hits as all the Rangers starters had at least two except for third baseman Chris Davis, who went 0 for 6.

Hamilton and Endy Chavez also had three RBIs apiece as the Rangers surpassed Cleveland’s total in a 19-1 blowout at Kansas City on May 16. Texas also passed the 25 hits that the Los Angeles Dodgers had against Minnesota on June 27.

And the Rangers did all that without RBI leader Adrian Beltre, who’s on the 15-day disabled list with a strained hamstring.

Texas continued to thrive against right-handed starters, improving to 42-30 after knocking around Twins righthander Nick Blackburn for nine runs — six earned — and 11 hits in 2 2-3 innings.

Texas is only 17-14 against lefty starters. Hamilton entered Tuesday night’s game batting .350 against righthanders and only .188 against lefties.

Despite the evidence, the players have few explanations for the disparity.

“That’s something we don’t think a whole lot about,” Young said. “I don’t know what’s behind it. A lot of times, those things are pretty coincidental.”

The Twins’ bullpen was so drained that manager Ron Gardenhire had outfielder Michael Cuddyer pitch the eighth.

Texas loaded the bases with one out against Cuddyer, who managed to work out of the jam.

Washington said he encouraged his hitters to maintain their intensity against Cuddyer.

“Because he’s a position player, he’s got no business on that mound,” Washington said. “I don’t want him going back and talking about how he got me out. … It’s time to pad your stats. I’m gonna give up because there’s a position player on the mound? No. That’s the attitude you’ve gotta have. But give Cuddyer credit, he got out of it.”

Gardenhire had trouble sleeping after watching his team allow 10 or more runs for the 12th time this season and the most by the Twins since giving up 23 to the Kansas City Royals in 1974.

“There’s no sense in going over a game like that,” Gardenhire said on Tuesday. “It wasn’t a fun game to sit through.”

His hope for the Rangers heading into Tuesday night’s game?

“They’ve got to be tired,” Gardenhire said. “We wore ‘em out last night.”

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click as the action is assumed for now

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