Texas Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Jurickson Profar didn't get a hit in his first game of the 2013 season. But he made two productive outs, driving in both runs in what was an otherwise dismal 9-2 loss for the Rangers against Oakland on Monday night. "He handled his at-bats well tonight," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "We scored two runs tonight. He got both." Profar tied the game in the third inning. Geovany Soto drew a leadoff walk and Leonys Martin followed with a double to put runners at second and third.

Nothing was fun. Everything was bad. At least they play another one tomorrow. Player of the Game: ...it's almost Yuesday?

CHICAGO (AP) — Ryan Dempster picked his son up at school, and then he got to play with him on the field at the ballpark. View full post on Yahoo! Sports – MLB – Texas Rangers News

Rangers RHP Yu Darvish (7-1, 2.93 ERA) has been virtually unbeatable in Rangers Ballpark. His win over Detroit last Thursday ran his career home record to 14-2 with a 3.87 ERA. Since Darvish made his debut last year, only Hiroki Kuroda (15-7) has more win at home than Darvish. Part of the reason for Darvish’s home success: An average of 7.31 runs of support per game. The Rangers have scored seven or more in 12 of his 19 starts, including 10 in the win over Detroit on … [visit site to read more]

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Oakland Athletics jumped on Texas Rangers right-hander Josh Lindblom for four runs in the fifth inning and the A's went on to win 9-2 in the opening game of a three-game series Monday night. The A's cut the Rangers' lead in the American League West to 5? games, still the largest division lead in baseball. Lindblom hit hard: Making his major league debut, Lindblom got hit hard. He allowed seven hits and four runs in 4⅔ innings.

Go Rangers!

Go Rangers!

Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan was on Galloway and Company on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM on Monday and was asked about pitch counts, in light of Yu Darvish's 130-pitch outing against the Detroit Tigers last Thursday. Ryan, who preached to Rangers pitchers to have a tougher mentality when he joined the club as team president in 2008, said he didn't have a problem with manager Ron Washington asking Darvish to pitch the eighth inning with 115 pitches and a 10-4 lead: "The way I look at that, and no I'm not critical of it, if there was an opportunity to let Yu throw an extra inning and throw 130 pitches, it was probably a good time to do it.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Rangers manager Ron Washington said that 20-year-old Jurickson Profar and utility man Leury Garcia will split time at second base while subbing for the injured Ian Kinsler. Profar was in the starting lineup for Monday's game against Oakland, his first game since being called up Sunday. Washington touched again on wanting Profar to come in and not put pressure on himself to live up to being baseball's top prospect. "I just want him to play baseball," Washington said.

It's never easy to let a player go, but manager Ron Washington got a little emotional when talking about the Texas Rangers decision to designate veteran right-hander Derek Lowe for assignment. Lowe, 39, joined the Rangers in the middle of spring training and won the bullpen's long man job. But he had a 9.00 ERA over nine appearances and the Rangers had to clear a roster spot for tonight's starter Josh Lindblom. "That was a tough conversation, it wans't an easy conversation," Washington said. "It came down to numbers and sometimes this game just doesn't work for you. But he's a pro. He's certainly been big in that clubhouse with our young pitchers. The value he brings, you can't buy. "It hurts because of his presence and he brings value, something that you just can’t buy. But we had to make a decision and not all of them are cut and dried, so we’re moving on." Ironically, Lowe was influential in the new approach Lindblom took to starting. The Rangers have 10 days to trade, release or outright Lowe to the minor leagues. They will pay Lowe's full salary of $1.25 million. Washington said the Rangers wanted to keep right-hander Cory Burns, and weren't ready to option one of their young relievers, such as Joseph Ortiz, back to the minor leagues. That means Michael Kirkman becomes the longman for the Rangers.  Here are a few other pregame notes: * Washington said he would try to get Leury Garcia and Jurickson Profar playing time with Ian Kinsler on the disabled list. Profar is starting tonight, but Washington isn't putting any additional pressure on the top prospect in the game. * Catcher A.J. Pierzynski is expected to rejoin the Rangers on Tuesday and start. Geovany Soto has played well as the everyday catcher, but will resume a backup role. Washington said Pierzynski's injury won't dictate how he uses his backstops going forward, saying Pierzynski is his starting catcher. -- Drew Davison