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.

.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

.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

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.

(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

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.