The Texas Rangers returned to the World Series for the second year in a row, a very tough task to replicate in the competitive MLB. It is also a hard thing to do thanks to the world of baseball injuries. Texas was not without injuries but withstood them to make it to the World Series regardless. Here is a look at the Top 5 injuries for the Texas Rangers in 2011.

1. Josh Hamilton (Sport’s Hernia)

Josh Hamilton’s injury was the worst on the team, happening at the end of the season and affecting his postseason play. For the second year in a row, he came into the postseason injured, this time with an undiagnosed sport’s hernia. He didn’t miss playing but he wasn’t able to hit with power and precision he was used to. Hamilton said it hurt to pivot so he was not the weapon Texas was used to in the World Series.

2. Nelson Cruz (Strained Hamstring)

Nelson Cruz also broke down at the end of the year. He missed almost the entire final month of the season with a strained hamstring. Cruz had been dealing with leg problems all season and this was just the culmination of the buildup. However, he bounced back and tied the postseason all-time record for home runs, so hopefully the injury bug is behind him.

3. Neftali Feliz (Right Shoulder Inflammation)

Closer Neftali Feliz blamed this trip to the IR on the fact that Texas had him play as a starter in spring and he lamented the decision. He missed some time and then returned struggling and almost lost his closer’s job. That is worrisome because he is the new fifth starter in the rotation in 2012 and he can’t let this breakdown happen again.

4. Josh Hamilton (Shoulder Fracture)

In one of the dumbest plays of the season, Texas was leading big and Josh Hamilton tried to steal home. The play call was bad but what was worse was Hamilton sliding into home plate, into a collision, and onto the IR for over a month. It was a dumb move on his part and could have killed the Rangers early in the season.

5. Nelson Cruz (Strained Quad)

What made Hamilton’s injury worse was that Nelson Cruz joined him on the IR and the Rangers’ outfield was depleted of stars at the same time. Cruz’s injury was a bad one and caused him to miss significant time throughout the season. As soon as he was over one leg injury, another part of the leg would go out. It was a never ending cycle.

Source: MLB.COM

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I normally try to think about baseball and specifically my Texas Rangers in a logical and well thought out manner. I like to consider as many facts and possibilities as possible and not just say random things. However, over the past few days I have not been thinking that way. Over the past few days I have been a bit greedy and selfish and not allowed myself to put as much thought into things as I like or should.

Over the past few days I have determined that I want the Rangers to do something ridiculous and like the Rangers of old. I want them to not follow textbook, modern baseball logic. You see, I want them to go get Prince Fielder(notes). I want starting pitching and probably bullpen help more, but I still want Fielder. I don’t want Albert Pujols(notes) and it really has nothing to do with the Cardinals taking home a World Series Championship that should have ended up in Texas or the fact that there is no way Pujols does not re-sign in St. Louis. I don’t want Yoenis Cespedes or any other non-pitcher. I want Fielder and I want all 275lbs of him.

I really do not know why I have come to that conclusion either. The only thing I can think of is one thing…”Home Run Porch.”

When Rangers’ Ballpark in Arlington was built, Home Run Porch was designed for Rafael Palmeiro or at least that is the legend, however I think the truth is that it was designed for Fielder. Josh Hamilton(notes) has taken attack on it many times and Mitch Moreland(notes) hit some moon shots into it in 2011, but just think about Fielder coming to the plate four times a night with that thing sitting out in front of him. Just think about it.

Now think about the lineup, Ian Kinsler(notes), Michael Young(notes) (back where he belongs in the two hole), Hamilton, Fielder, Adrian Beltre(notes), Nelson Cruz(notes) (man this is getting fun), Mike Napoli(notes), Elvis Andrus(notes) and now you can input the centerfielder of your choice. My choice would be Craig Gentry(notes), but who knows what is going on at this point. At this point I am still in the middle of a dream anyway.

You see, I am the guy who has constantly said that Fielder will get way more money than he deserves and that he is destined to be in the American League as a designated hitter. I am the guy that was in a car for two hours heading to Game 2 of the ALCS explaining why Fielder’s weight was the main reason I did not want the Rangers to even think about trying to get him. I am also the guy that says the Rangers do not really have any major needs this offseason other than pitching, but then it happened.

I saw “Home Run Porch” and heard The Natural theme song in my head.

I want the Rangers to make good decisions and I think they will do that. Every decision that they made in the 2011 offseason was scrutinized and every one of them looked brilliant by the end of the season. I have confidence in them doing the same in 2012 and going forward. These are not the Rangers of old that were just a bunch of sluggers, but this is a well-designed organization from the top to the bottom and I trust them to make good baseball decisions.

Fielder would not add any type of defensive upgrade at first for the Rangers, but it would be fun. This whole idea is crazy and wacky, but you know what? It is a reality. As much as I say the Rangers will watch their spending with free agents like Josh Hamilton and Mike Napoli around the corner, it is still possible that they spend a ton of money this offseason. It is not extremely likely, but it is completely possible and it sounds like a bunch of fun. Fielder seems like the type of player that would fit in perfect with this team and honestly that is much more important than it can seem at times. I can’t help it, but “Home Run Porch” sounds like a lot of fun.

John Bowman is a lifelong baseball and Texas Rangers fan that loves to ponder the deeper aspects of the game. Some of his first baseball memories involve Arlington Stadium nachos, Charlie Hough’s knuckeball, dirt on Pete Incaviglia’s uniform and the voices of Mark Holtz and Eric Nadel as he fell asleep. Follow him on Twitter @TexasWinColumn.

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Credit: AP Photo

In this Sept. 1, 2011 file photo, Texas Rangers’ Josh Hamilton reacts after fouling a ball off his foot during a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, in Arlington, Texas. Hamilton had successful surgery Friday in Philadelphia, to repair a sports hernia. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)

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Credit: AP Photo / Eric Gay

Texas Rangers’ Josh Hamilton is congratulated by Esteban German (6) after Hamilton hit a two-run home run during the 10th inning of Game 6 of baseball’s World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Before Game 3 of the World Series on October 23, center fielder Josh Hamilton from the Texas Rangers announced that he believed he was suffering from a sports hernia. However, he also said he would not let it interfere with his playing in this World Series and he would get through to the end.

Josh Hamilton
Wikimedia Commons

Ending the regular season with what was believed to be a groin strain, it has become increasingly worse and in the postseason and, although tests have not yet confirmed it, Hamilton believes it is a sports hernia. This diagnosis is nothing new to Hamilton who missed a month during the 2009 season after a surgery to deal with a sports hernia. A recent report from The Sports Exchange says he will more than likely be facing surgery once again after the World Series is over.

But what exactly is a sports hernia, how does it occur and how is it treated.

A Sports Hernia

Typically a hernia occurs when an internal organ creates a bulge through a weak area in the muscle and includes conditions such as inguinal hernias in the groin area and hiatal hernias which occur when an opening in the diaphragm allows the stomach to move into the chest. Sports hernias differ in that they are caused by a weakening in the abdominal wall and when they are overexerted, a muscle tear occurs in the groin. They are commonly misdiagnosed as a muscle strain or groin injury.

How Does it Happen

In this area, your oblique muscles attach at the pubis region in the groin. These muscles contract and pull the pubis upward. Your adductor muscles are also attached at the pubis and these muscles pull the pubis down. If both muscles are contracted at the same time, your body enters a game of tug-of-war. In many athletes, strength training is focused on the lower body and not the trunk, so inevitably the adductor muscles win the fight and tear the oblique muscles. Sports hernias are common in football, hockey, tennis and soccer players however any repeated twisted and turning motion can cause a sport hernia.

Treatment

Sports hernias usually require surgical treatment to repair the tears and reinforce the abdominal wall. Surgery can be an open surgery or performed with a laparoscopic procedure. In the laparoscopic procedure, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, small incisions are made and there is a shorter recovery period and normal activities, including sports, can usually be resumed within six weeks.

Deborah Braconnier is a former athlete and 20 year medical professional. She has personal experience with a variety of different sports injuries and has had both knee and spinal surgery. Working now as a freelance writer, she brings her love for both sports and the medical field together in her writing.

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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)—The Texas Rangers aren’t likely to swipe a win from
Kyle Lohse(notes) at the World Series.

Lohse is set to start Game 3 for the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night
with the teams tied at 1-all. He is 0-2 with a 7.45 ERA in two postseason starts
this year. He’s given up a lot of runs, but no one has run on him much.

Just three players have tried to steal with Lohse on the mound this season.
Nyjer Morgan(notes) and Rickie Weeks(notes) were thrown out by catcher Yadier Molina(notes). The lone
player to make it was Eric Fryer(notes)—a rookie catcher for Pittsburgh. Fryer swiped
second with backup Gerald Laird(notes) catching and that’s his only career stolen base.

“It’s a pretty low number,” Lohse said Friday. “To go through 30 starts
with only three guys attempting, it makes it easier for you to concentrate on
executing the pitch when you don’t have to worry about being super quick to the
plate.”

Lohse gave credit to Molina, a three-time Gold Glove winner with a strong
arm.

“I’m already quick, but when he’s back there, you don’t have to worry about
it much,” he said.

Lohse also praised Molina’s pitch calling.

“I think maybe I’ve shook him three times this year, and I think two of
those I gave up hits,” he said.

THE REST OF THE DAY: Texas star Josh Hamilton(notes) got himself a much-needed day
off from the World Series.

Rangers manager Ron Washington told his ailing outfielder to stay home
Friday while the team worked out. Hamilton is trying to get as much rest as
possible for the groin strain that’s lately robbed him of his power.

Game 3 is Saturday night at Rangers Ballpark. Texas and St. Louis are tied
at 1-all.

Last week, the Rangers had an optional workout before Game 6 of the AL
championship series and Hamilton used that as another day of at-home recovery.

Hamilton has yet to hit a home run in 48 at-bats during this postseason. Yet
he was still able to muscle a fly ball deep enough in the ninth inning of Game 2
to produce a sacrifice fly that drove in the tying run.

Washington could save some of the wear and tear on Hamilton’s legs by using
him strictly as a designated hitter. But that’s not going to happen. It’s worth
noting that Hamilton’s range in the field has been fine. He made a terrific
catch crashing into the left-field wall, saving at least a run and maybe two,
plus ending a Detroit rally in Texas’ cinching win in Game 6 of the ALCS.

“We’ve got five games (left), I’m not sitting him,” Washington said.

The only adjustment Washington will make is putting Hamilton in left field
when facing a left-handed starter because speedster Craig Gentry(notes), a right-handed
hitter, can handle center field. But when they face a righty and lefty David
Murphy(notes) is in the lineup, Washington will put Murphy in left and Hamilton in
center.

“I’m not changing anything,” he said.

ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTIONED: Albert Pujols(notes) wasn’t available to reporters after
Game 2 to discuss his ninth-inning fielding error that helped turn a 1-0 St.
Louis lead into a 2-1 loss.

On Friday, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said the only reason Pujols and
other key players left before reporters were allowed into the clubhouse was
because “it was 40 minutes before anybody let anybody know that they wanted to
talk to those guys.”

“If anybody had said, `We need to talk to Albert,’ he would have stayed,”
La Russa said.

La Russa added that players were in a hurry because it was a night game
followed by a flight to Texas.

“They wanted to pack for their families,” he said.

Stories have been written criticizing the players and the organization for
lacking accountability. La Russa didn’t like that because he said the club has a
history of being very accessible for reporters.

“We’re willing to live up to it, but somebody has got to be fair with us,”
he said. “I heard the criticism, and it offends me because I know our attitude
as an organization is 180 degrees different from the way it’s being portrayed.
Nobody asked for those guys, and they got out of there. They had other things to
do.”

Rangers star Michael Young(notes) is almost always available after games because he
considers it part of his job. He joked that if he didn’t show up to his locker
while reporters were waiting, “you guys would follow me home.”

“I do think it is a responsibility,” Young said. “You guys have a job to
do, too. I’m just trying to be respectful, that’s all.”

Young is the team’s longest-tenured player and the franchise hits leader,
which also makes his voice more important on any subject. The absence of Pujols
and others left younger players to discuss the loss.

“Veteran players who’ve been around a while, and guys who have certain
roles on their teams, it’s a good thing to take pressure off your teammates on
the field and off,” Young said.

MUSICAL MOJO: Rangers manager Ron Washington had two glorious things
awaiting him on his desk when he returned to Rangers Ballpark on Friday.

The AL championship trophy. And “The Best of Soul Train,” a boxed set of
DVDs.

“Thank (team broadcaster) Eric Nadel for the Soul Train tapes, and thank
the players in that clubhouse for the trophy,” Washington said.

So, which did he prize the most?

“Soul Train,” he said, laughing. Then Washington did his best Don
Cornelius imitation and roared, “Sooooouuuuuuuulllllllllll Train!”

CEREMONIAL LINEUP: The Texas Rangers have announced a pitching rotation
featuring Dirk Nowitzki, former President George W. Bush, Nolan Ryan, Roger
Staubach and former Rangers left-hander Kenny Rogers.

Nowitzki, Bush and Staubach will throw out the ceremonial pitches before
Games 3, 4 and 5 of the World Series. Ryan will catch Bush’s toss, and Rogers
will receive from Staubach. Rangers star Michael Young will be Nowitzki’s
catcher.

RATINGS REPORT: Texas’ 2-1 victory in Game 2 on Fox on Thursday night got an
8.9 rating and 14 share, up 5 percent from the 8.5/14 for San Francisco’s 9-0
win over the Rangers in the second game last year. It marked the first time in
four years that Game 2 received a higher rating than the opener.

Through two games the Series is averaging an 8.8/14, up 1 percent from an
8.7/15 last year.

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.up next

at Rangers

What’s new: The Rangers, the AL West champions, are red-hot, having won 14 of their last 16 games. They have plenty of power, with five players boasting at least 25 homers — 2B Ian Kinsler (32), ex-Ray OF Josh Hamilton (25), 3B Adrian Beltre (32), C Mike Napoli (30) and OF Nelson Cruz (29), who has been slumping since returning from a hamstring injury. But Rays manager Joe Maddon says it’s their pitching, specifically their revamped bullpen (see RHPs Mike Adams and Koji Uehara), that makes them such a difficult matchup.

Head to head

Rangers won season series 5-4

(H) May 30: Rangers win 11-5

(H) May 31: Rays win 5-4

(H) June 1: Rangers win 3-0

(A) Aug. 30: Rangers win 2-0

(A) Aug. 31: Rays win 4-1

(A) Sept. 1: Rangers win 7-2

(H) Sept. 5: Rays win 5-1

(H) Sept. 6 Rangers win 8-0

(H) Sept. 7 Rays win 5-4

Memorable games

May 31: Rays win 5-4. After the Rangers took the lead on a wild pitch in the eighth, Rays third baseman Evan Longoria came through with a go-ahead two-run homer with two outs in the bottom half, giving Tampa Bay a dramatic victory.

Aug. 31: Rays win 4-1. RHP James Shields loads the bases in the first but retires 22 of the final 24 Rangers he faces in eight shutout innings.

Sept. 7: Rays win 5-4. Rookie OF Desmond Jennings rips a walkoff homer in the 10th inning to give the Rays their 1,000th franchise win. The Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler forced extra innings with a solo homer in the ninth, spoiling a victory for LHP David Price.

Key hitters

2B Ian Kinsler: The Rangers leadoff man also provides some pop, becoming just the 11th player in major-league history to rack up multiple 30-homer, 30-steal seasons. Kinsler has 32 homers and 30 steals.

UTL Michael Young: Young was in the race for the batting title and finished tied for second at .338, with 11 homers and 106 RBIs for the season.

Key pitchers

LHP C.J. Wilson: The staff ace (and top Tweeter) may not be LHP Cliff Lee, but he has anchored the Rangers staff this season, going 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA. And he’s particularly tough against the Rays, going 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA in 17 career appearances (four starts).

RHP Koji Uehara: Uehara, acquired from the Orioles at the trade deadline, has combined with fellow mid-year acquisition RHP Mike Adams to form a formidable one-two punch for the seventh and eighth innings. Opponents are hitting .048 against Uehara in September.

Closer Neftali Felix: The hard-throwing right-hander has 32 saves and a 2.74 ERA.

Who’s hot vs. Rays

Michael Young

.292 with nine homers and 60 RBIs in 85 games

Who’s not vs. Rays

Josh Hamilton

.229 with four homers, 22 RBIs in 28 games.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

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at Rangers

What’s new: The Rangers, the AL West champions, are red-hot, having won 14 of their last 16 games. They have plenty of power, with five players boasting at least 25 homers — 2B Ian Kinsler (32), ex-Ray OF Josh Hamilton (25), 3B Adrian Beltre (32), C Mike Napoli (30) and OF Nelson Cruz (29), who has been slumping since returning from a hamstring injury. But Rays manager Joe Maddon says it’s their pitching, specifically their revamped bullpen (see RHPs Mike Adams and Koji Uehara), that makes them such a difficult matchup.

Head to head

Rangers won season series 5-4

(H) May 30: Rangers win 11-5

(H) May 31: Rays win 5-4

(H) June 1: Rangers win 3-0

(A) Aug. 30: Rangers win 2-0

(A) Aug. 31: Rays win 4-1

(A) Sept. 1: Rangers win 7-2

(H) Sept. 5: Rays win 5-1

(H) Sept. 6 Rangers win 8-0

(H) Sept. 7 Rays win 5-4

Memorable games

May 31: Rays win 5-4. After the Rangers took the lead on a wild pitch in the eighth, Rays third baseman Evan Longoria came through with a go-ahead two-run homer with two outs in the bottom half, giving Tampa Bay a dramatic victory.

Aug. 31: Rays win 4-1. RHP James Shields loads the bases in the first but retires 22 of the final 24 Rangers he faces in eight shutout innings.

Sept. 7: Rays win 5-4. Rookie OF Desmond Jennings rips a walkoff homer in the 10th inning to give the Rays their 1,000th franchise win. The Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler forced extra innings with a solo homer in the ninth, spoiling a victory for LHP David Price.

Key hitters

2B Ian Kinsler: The Rangers leadoff man also provides some pop, becoming just the 11th player in major-league history to rack up multiple 30-homer, 30-steal seasons. Kinsler has 32 homers and 30 steals.

UTL Michael Young: Young was in the race for the batting title and finished tied for second at .338, with 11 homers and 106 RBIs for the season.

Key pitchers

LHP C.J. Wilson: The staff ace (and top Tweeter) may not be LHP Cliff Lee, but he has anchored the Rangers staff this season, going 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA. And he’s particularly tough against the Rays, going 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA in 17 career appearances (four starts).

RHP Koji Uehara: Uehara, acquired from the Orioles at the trade deadline, has combined with fellow mid-year acquisition RHP Mike Adams to form a formidable one-two punch for the seventh and eighth innings. Opponents are hitting .048 against Uehara in September.

Closer Neftali Felix: The hard-throwing right-hander has 32 saves and a 2.74 ERA.

Who’s hot vs. Rays

Michael Young

.292 with nine homers and 60 RBIs in 85 games

Who’s not vs. Rays

Josh Hamilton

.229 with four homers, 22 RBIs in 28 games.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

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It is perhaps the most exciting moment in a Texas Rangers game. It is not the first pitch. It is not the moment the Rangers walk off the field victorious. It is not Ian Kinsler stealing a base, Elvis Andrus turning a thrilling play, Josh Hamilton depositing a home run in the upper deck. Nor is it the Texas Legends race.

It is the Pizza Hit, delivering half-off pizza to all of Dallas-Ft. Worth.

Every time the Rangers score seven runs, the promo code Rangers7 will get you Papa John’s pizza for half-price. Fortunately for Rangers fans, Texas has accomplished the feet 60 times in 2011. More than 37% of their games played have ended with half-off pizza.

With that in mind, here are the 2011 Pizza Hit leaders for the Rangers; the hitters who have most often brought home the seventh run in a game.

1.   Josh Hamilton, 9
2.   Adrian Beltre, 8
3.   Michael Young, 7
t4.  Ian Kinsler, 6
t4.  David Murphy, 6
t6.  Elvis Andrus, 5
t6.  Mitch Moreland, 5
t8.  Mike Napoli, 4
t8.  Yorvit Torrealba, 4
10.  Nelson Cruz, 3
t11. Endy Chavez, 1
t11. Craig Gentry, 1
t11. Esteban German, 1

Note that this list includes: a Pizza Walk from Moreland; Pizza Sacrifice Flies from Hamilton, Kinsler, Torrealba, and Young (twice); Pizza Reached on Errors by Torrealba, Hamilton, and Moreland; and Pizza Ground Outs by Hamilton and Andrus. Hamilton and Andrus each had walk-off Pizza Hits.

As you can see, last night’s game was more significant than merely keeping ahead of the Tigers or trying a franchise record in wins. As the seventh run came off the bat of Adrian Beltre, he kept alive his hopes of tying Josh Hamilton for the most Pizza Hits in 2011. Should Beltre come up to the plate with a shot of bringing home the Pizza Run today, it will be high drama indeed.

I think what we can glean from the information here is this: if consuming food is as important to the human existence as scientists want us to believe, than Josh Hamilton should clearly be winning his second consecutive American League Most Valuable Player award.

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(Sports Network) – The Texas Rangers are closing in on their second straight
American League West crown. Today, they try to get a little closer when they
attempt to complete a three-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics at the
Coliseum.

Texas won its fourth straight game on Wednesday, as Ian Kinsler and Josh
Hamilton hit solo homers in the eighth inning off Grant Balfour, helping the
Rangers to a 3-2 triumph.

The Rangers’ eighth win in their last nine games reduced their magic number to
three for clinching the division. The Rangers remained five games ahead of the
Angels, who won at Toronto Wednesday night.

On a day the Athletics stripped the interim tag from manager Bob Melvin and
rewarded him with a three-year contract through the 2014 season, the host team
failed to hold onto a late lead and lost for the third straight time.

Kinsler led off the eighth with his 30th homer of the year, a shot to left
field on a full-count offering. One out later, Hamilton went deep to right
field off Balfour (4-2).

Mike Adams threw a perfect eighth inning after Koji Uehara (2-3) held the A’s
down in the seventh. Neftali Feliz walked Josh Willingham leading off the
bottom of the ninth, but retired the next three hitters to lock down his 29th
save.

“It was fun, a little stressful, but fun,” Hamilton said.

Heading to the hill for Texas this afternoon will be righty Colby Lewis, who
has already beaten the A’s four times this year and will try to become the
first Rangers pitcher to beat them five times in a season since Fergie Jenkins
in 1974.

Lewis has won his last two starts overall and is 13-10 on the year with a 4.45
ERA.

Oakland, meanwhile, will counter with righty Trevor Cahill, who is 11-14 with
a 4.31 ERA. Cahill had a two-start winning streak stopped versus Detroit on
Friday, as he allowed three runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Cahill beat the Rangers the last time he faced them and is 9-4 lifetime
against them with a 2.69 ERA in 14 starts.

Texas is 13-5 versus the A’s this season.

The Sports Network

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

What are your opinions.

The Tampa Bay Rays wasted another solid performance by Jeremy Hellickson with their quiet bats.

Hellickson allowed two runs in six innings against the AL West-leading Texas Rangers in a 2-0 loss Tuesday night, the 10th time this season the Rays scored one run or less while the rookie right-hander was on the mound.

“He pitched great. We’ve just got to figure out how to beat some of these pitchers we’re facing. Too many 1-0, 2-0 losses. We’ve got to get beyond that. There are no excuses,” manager Joe Maddon said. “He had to pitch through some land mines to keep it at two runs. We did some really good things. He didn’t cave in by any means.”

Tampa Bay managed three singles and hit only a few balls out of the infield against Scott Feldman (1-0) and four Rangers relievers.

Hellickson (11-10) was cruising along until his first pitch of the sixth, which Josh Hamilton hit deep into a second deck of seats in right field. It landed an estimated 449 feet from home plate, his 19th homer, and broke a scoreless tie.

“It was right down the middle, right where he likes it,” Hellickson said.

“That was monster, and we needed it,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “That young kid can pitch. I thought we were taking some good swings at him. He was all around the strike zone, and finally left one up to Hamilton. Then Mike got him, then Murphy got him and then it started.”

Michael Young followed with a double before consecutive singles by Mike Napoli and David Murphy, the second sending Young home.

“I didn’t feel tired. I just missed with some pitches and they took advantage of it,” Hellickson said. “They’re a very good lineup. I thought I pitched well enough, pitched out of a few bases-loaded jams. It could have gotten out of hand. That one inning, I missed my spot a few times. … A few pitches got away from me.”

Hellickson is 1-3 in his five August starts despite a 2.49 ERA in that span. He struck out four and walked four, two of those intentional, while giving up two runs and six hits.

The Rangers still had the bases loaded after scoring twice in the sixth before Ian Kinsler, the last batter Hellickson faced, hit an inning-ending flyball on the 10th pitch of the at-bat.

Texas also had the bases loaded in the fourth, when Hamilton had a leadoff double. Young and Napoli both struck out before Murphy was intentionally walked and Yorvit Torrealba drew a walk. But Hellickson got Mitch Moreland on a flyball.

Feldman threw six scoreless innings while allowing only two singles in a spot start when the Rangers decided to skip 10-game winner Matt Harrison to give him an extended break. Feldman limited the Rays to two singles.

“He’s a sinker kind of guy. That’s what he does. There’s not much you can do about it,” B.J. Upton said. “We didn’t elevate the ball much which is what you’re gonna do against him.”

The only balls Tampa Bay hit out of the infield against Feldman (1-0) were the two singles he allowed. There were 12 groundouts, four strikeouts and two runners caught stealing in the 18 outs recorded while he was on the mound.

Feldman struck out four with one walk while throwing 88 pitches, right in the range of what Washington had said before the game.

“He had given us everything he needed to give us,” Washington said. “He kept it down in the zone and did an outstanding job.”

Mark Lowe, Darren Oliver and Mike Adams combined for two no-hit innings to set up Neftali Feliz for his 26th save in 32 chances. It was the Rangers’ 16th shutout this season.

The Rays, held scoreless for the 13th time this season, had two runners on with no outs and got two balls out of the infield in the ninth. But Feliz finally got out of the jam when Evan Longoria grounded into a game-ending double play.

The Rays had hit 10 homers in their previous series against Toronto, a team-record for a series. But their bats went mostly silent in their first game at Texas since last season’s AL playoffs.

Notes: The 13 shutouts for Tampa Bay are the most since 2004, when they also had 13. A dozen of those have come since June 1, a span of 80 games. … Murphy has started four consecutive games, going 7 for 15 in that stretch. … The Rangers are 43-27 at home. … Along with Hamilton’s long homer, the reigning AL MVP also had two big swings when the bat slipped out of his hands. One of them landed about 10 rows behind the Rangers dugout, in some empty seats, and the other wound up coming to rest in foul territory past first base near coach Gary Pettis.

What are your opinions.

The Tampa Bay Rays wasted another solid performance by Jeremy Hellickson with their quiet bats.

Hellickson allowed two runs in six innings against the AL West-leading Texas Rangers in a 2-0 loss Tuesday night, the 10th time this season the Rays scored one run or less while the rookie right-hander was on the mound.

“He pitched great. We’ve just got to figure out how to beat some of these pitchers we’re facing. Too many 1-0, 2-0 losses. We’ve got to get beyond that. There are no excuses,” manager Joe Maddon said. “He had to pitch through some land mines to keep it at two runs. We did some really good things. He didn’t cave in by any means.”

Tampa Bay managed three singles and hit only a few balls out of the infield against Scott Feldman (1-0) and four Rangers relievers.

Hellickson (11-10) was cruising along until his first pitch of the sixth, which Josh Hamilton hit deep into a second deck of seats in right field. It landed an estimated 449 feet from home plate, his 19th homer, and broke a scoreless tie.

“It was right down the middle, right where he likes it,” Hellickson said.

“That was monster, and we needed it,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “That young kid can pitch. I thought we were taking some good swings at him. He was all around the strike zone, and finally left one up to Hamilton. Then Mike got him, then Murphy got him and then it started.”

Michael Young followed with a double before consecutive singles by Mike Napoli and David Murphy, the second sending Young home.

“I didn’t feel tired. I just missed with some pitches and they took advantage of it,” Hellickson said. “They’re a very good lineup. I thought I pitched well enough, pitched out of a few bases-loaded jams. It could have gotten out of hand. That one inning, I missed my spot a few times. … A few pitches got away from me.”

Hellickson is 1-3 in his five August starts despite a 2.49 ERA in that span. He struck out four and walked four, two of those intentional, while giving up two runs and six hits.

The Rangers still had the bases loaded after scoring twice in the sixth before Ian Kinsler, the last batter Hellickson faced, hit an inning-ending flyball on the 10th pitch of the at-bat.

Texas also had the bases loaded in the fourth, when Hamilton had a leadoff double. Young and Napoli both struck out before Murphy was intentionally walked and Yorvit Torrealba drew a walk. But Hellickson got Mitch Moreland on a flyball.

Feldman threw six scoreless innings while allowing only two singles in a spot start when the Rangers decided to skip 10-game winner Matt Harrison to give him an extended break. Feldman limited the Rays to two singles.

“He’s a sinker kind of guy. That’s what he does. There’s not much you can do about it,” B.J. Upton said. “We didn’t elevate the ball much which is what you’re gonna do against him.”

The only balls Tampa Bay hit out of the infield against Feldman (1-0) were the two singles he allowed. There were 12 groundouts, four strikeouts and two runners caught stealing in the 18 outs recorded while he was on the mound.

Feldman struck out four with one walk while throwing 88 pitches, right in the range of what Washington had said before the game.

“He had given us everything he needed to give us,” Washington said. “He kept it down in the zone and did an outstanding job.”

Mark Lowe, Darren Oliver and Mike Adams combined for two no-hit innings to set up Neftali Feliz for his 26th save in 32 chances. It was the Rangers’ 16th shutout this season.

The Rays, held scoreless for the 13th time this season, had two runners on with no outs and got two balls out of the infield in the ninth. But Feliz finally got out of the jam when Evan Longoria grounded into a game-ending double play.

The Rays had hit 10 homers in their previous series against Toronto, a team-record for a series. But their bats went mostly silent in their first game at Texas since last season’s AL playoffs.

Notes: The 13 shutouts for Tampa Bay are the most since 2004, when they also had 13. A dozen of those have come since June 1, a span of 80 games. … Murphy has started four consecutive games, going 7 for 15 in that stretch. … The Rangers are 43-27 at home. … Along with Hamilton’s long homer, the reigning AL MVP also had two big swings when the bat slipped out of his hands. One of them landed about 10 rows behind the Rangers dugout, in some empty seats, and the other wound up coming to rest in foul territory past first base near coach Gary Pettis.

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CHICAGO (AP)—Tired and beat up, the Texas Rangers looked the part for the
first three innings.

Then a hit. Then another. And Mitch Moreland(notes) hit a tying, three-run homer.
Just like that, the Rangers were on their way to a 7-4 win over the Chicago
White Sox on Friday night.

Josh Hamilton(notes) hit a tiebreaking home run in the sixth, and Moreland added a
two-run shot to tie a career high with five RBIs for the Rangers, who rallied
for their 10th win in 12 games despite another shaky performance from starter
Matt Harrison(notes).

Oh, and the Rangers didn’t get to their hotel until 6:30 in the morning.

“It’s not so much the physical part of it, because you know you’re
physically tired,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “We played a tough
ballgame last night. It just took us a few innings to get back in a groove.”

“A few runs will always do it for you.”

Reliever Yoshinori Tateyama(notes) (2-0) pitched 2 2-3 scoreless innings and
Neftali Feliz(notes) pitched a scoreless ninth for his 25th save in 31 chances.

Moreland sat out the Thursday finale against the Angels with a tight right
hamstring, but showed no ill effects while trotting around the bases on Friday.

“They just said be smart with it,” he said. “I’ve just been trying to
work, slow stuff down and not press a whole lot in the box.

The White Sox have lost three of four and are five games behind AL
Central-leading Detroit.

Jake Peavy(notes) (5-6) allowed seven runs and six hits in six innings. He is 0-4
in his last six outings at home.

“It was frustrating. I just didn’t get anyone out with two outs. It was
frustrating because I had pretty good stuff tonight. When you have good stuff
you don’t expect that.”

After making a great catch in the outfield in the fifth inning to rob Carlos
Quentin(notes), Hamilton led off the sixth with a towering home run to right. It was
Hamilton’s 16th of the season. Two outs later, Mike Napoli(notes) singled off Peavy and
Moreland connected on a 2-0 pitch for his second homer of the game and 16th of
the season to give the Rangers a 7-4 lead. It was Moreland’s third career
multihomer game.

Peavy couldn’t hold a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning, Michael Young(notes) hit a
two-out single for the Rangers’ first hit of the game. Nelson Cruz(notes) doubled off
the wall in left to score Young from first. Peavy walked Napoli and Moreland
followed with a three-run shot, giving the Rangers a 4-3 lead. Moreland was back
in the lineup after missing Thursday’s game with tightness in his right
hamstring.

Peavy didn’t allow a home run in his previous seven starts.

“It seemed like he didn’t have too much in the tank for the last two
innings,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said.

The White Sox came back in the fifth inning by taking advantage of shortstop
Elvis Andrus’(notes) fielding error. With a runner on first, Juan Pierre(notes) placed a bunt
right in front of catcher Yorvit Torrealba(notes) who threw a strike to Andrus covering
second. But the ball went off his glove into center field, allowing Gordon
Beckham(notes) to go to third. Brent Lillibridge(notes) followed with a sacrifice fly to tie
the game at 4. After a walk to Paul Konerko(notes), Harrison was pulled for Tateyama,
who was helped by Hamilton. With runners on first and second, Hamilton made a
running catch into the center-field wall to rob Quentin. Tateyama ended the
inning by getting Alexei Ramirez(notes) to pop out.

Tateyama inherited two runners in the fifth after Harrison was removed.
Carlos Quentin greeted him with a deep drive to center field, but Josh Hamilton
retreated and made a running grab as he crashed into the wall.

“That was quite a play right there, we certainly needed it,” Washington
said of Hamilton’s run-saving grab. “Quentin just didn’t get enough of it. What
it ended up being is what we needed right there—an out.”

Harrison lasted just 4 1-3 innings, allowing four runs—three earned—and
four hits with three walks.

“I don’t feel like I did my job tonight,” Harrison said. “It’s definitely
frustrating coming off my last outing, only going 5 1-3, and tonight not being
able to get out of the fifth.”

The White Sox tagged Harrison for two runs and three hits in the first
inning. Pierre led off with a bunt for a single and stole second. After a walk
to Konerko, Quentin doubled down the left-field line to score Pierre. Ramirez
followed with a single to give the White Sox an early 2-0 lead.

The trouble continued for Harrison in the second. Brent Morel(notes) tripled off
the wall in center and scored on Pierre’s safety squeeze bunt.

But then the sleepy Rangers woke up.

“That just shows the mentality of this team,” Moreland said. “We go out
and we’re going to fight it. There’s no game that we think is out of reach.”

NOTES: Harrison gave up six runs in 5 1-3 innings in Sunday’s 7-6 victory
over Oakland. … White Sox LHP John Danks(notes), who is scheduled to start Saturday,
is 5-1 with a 2.29 ERA (14 ER/55.0 IP) over his last nine starts, compared to
0-8 with a 5.25 ERA (41 ER/70.1 IP) in his first 11 starts. … RHP Alexi Ogando(notes)
will try to become the first Rangers starter to win 13 games this season and
just the ninth Texas right-hander to reach that mark over the last 10 seasons in
his start Saturday against the White Sox. … Before Friday, the last time Peavy
gave up a home run was June 30 in Colorado. … Ramirez was ejected by home
plate umpire Jeff Nelson after he argued a called third strike in the eighth.

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