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Hitting at the top of the Rangers' loaded lineup could do wonders for prospective owners of Gary Matthews, Jr. |
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Kevin Millwood assigned himself additional work between starts to work out a kink or two in his mechanics. The result was his first win for the Texas Rangers. Millwood struck out seven in a 6-3 victory over Barry Zito and the Oakland Athletics on Friday night. "I threw two long bullpens in between to try and get my mechanics just right," Millwood said. "For me, seeing is not enough. I have to feel it. I could feel it. I felt like I was back in the right slot. |
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STATS Senior Writer The Texas Rangers are hoping they've finally put their slow start behind them. They look to build on their first back-to-back wins of the season when they continue their three-game series with the slumping Oakland Athletics Saturday at McAfee Coliseum. The Rangers beat the Athletics 6-3 on Friday, one game after ending a 1-6 slide and setting a new season-high for runs in Wednesday's 11-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. |
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Adam Kennedy's one-out double in the ninth inning drove in Darin Erstad with the tying run, and pinch-runner Maicer Izturis scored the winner on the botched relay from the outfield to rally the Los Angeles Angels to a 5-4 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night. Rangers closer Francisco Cordero (0-1) nicked Erstad with a 3-2 pitch leading off the ninth and Casey Kotchman followed with an... |
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The Rangers released designated hitter Erubiel Durazo on Monday, ending his brief audition to win a roster spot. The Rangers either had to place Durazo on the roster by Wednesday and guarantee him a $500,000 salary or offer him his release. Durazo, who was limited to 41 games with Oakland last season due to "Tommy John" elbow surgery, hit .217 in 23 spring at-bats with the Rangers. Durazo, originally a first baseman, still wasn't ready to play the field. |
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First baseman Erubiel Durazo was released by the Texas Rangers on Monday night. Durazo signed a minor league deal at the beginning of spring training and hit .217 (5-for-23) with a double, a triple and one RBI in nine spring games. He missed some time while playing for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. The 32-year-old Durazo, who would have gotten a $500,000 deal if added to the 40-man roster, had ligament replacement surgery on his left elbow last July, after hitting . |
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The Rangers' biggest questions coming to spring training were about finding a fifth starter and depth in the bullpen. A week before the opener, they still hadn't sufficiently answered either question. They know they'd like RHP Roger Clemens to be the fifth guy, but an answer on that isn't coming until mid-April at the earliest. In the meantime, they'll try to get through an April that includes 15 of 25 games against teams that had at least 88 wins last year. |
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Laynce Nix hit two homers, including a grand slam, and drove in seven runs for the Texas Rangers in a 10-9 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Monday night. Nix, who came in batting only .190, also had a two-run double and finished 3-for-4. He had been limited most of the spring while working his way back from right shoulder surgery that ended his 2005 season after 63 games. He also had surgery on his left shoulder in the offseason. |
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--RHP Edison Volquez may have seen his last chance to win a spot in the starting rotation disappear. Volquez allowed six runs in 38-pitch first inning Monday. Volquez, who lasted just three innings due to a high pitch count, has allowed 11 runs in five innings in his last two starts. --CF Laynce Nix hit a first-inning grand slam off Seattle RHP Gil Meche on Monday. Nix owns Meche. He is 5-for-12 against him in the regular season with four home runs. |
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All winter, Frank Thomas worked out with the hope of being ready by opening day. He is fit and healthy now, and his swing isn't bad either. Oakland's new designated hitter drove in two runs on sacrifice flies in the Athletics' 8-3 win over Texas on Tuesday. He sharply lined the ball to left in a four-run third against starter Juan Dominguez, then added a fly to center in the fifth. Thomas played in just his second Cactus League game. |
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Kevin Millwood pitched three shutout innings against minor leaguers Tuesday in his final spring tuneup for the Texas Rangers' opener next week. Millwood then headed to nearby Luke Air Force Base for a spin in an F-16 fighter jet. "No, I've never been up in one before," Millwood said after throwing 26 strikes in 48 pitches to Rangers prospects. "I've been in private planes. Yeah, I'm a little nervous." The 31-year-old right-hander said he could hear the jets flying overhead as he warmed up. |