Texas Rangers (MLB 2K7)

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Rangers Route Yanks
Despite win, another TEX pitcher gets hurt
Rangers 10, Yankees 1


Brandon McCarthy suffered a mild concussion in the win

Arlington, TX -- Injury seems to be the name of the game for the Texas Rangers this season, as another pitcher went down in the middle of a game. This time, it's youngster Brandon McCarthy that will be out for eight days with a mild concussion after being hit in the head with a Johnny Damon line drive. For those of you keeping score at home, Damon was thrown out at first after the damage was done by Ian Kinsler.

Before going down, McCarthy was pitching great, going 5.2 innings and giving up only three hits. The Yankees managed just one more hit after McCarthy left the game, but that hit resulted in a run as Jason Giambi belted his fourteenth homer of the season.

The real story of the game, as if the lack of New York offense wasn't it, was the surplus of Rangers' hits. Texas put up three quick runs on Andy Pettitte in a little over three innings, and didn't stop there as they put together fifteen hits on the afternoon. Kinsler was 1-3 to record his hitting streak, and Michael Young looked like he was ready to break out of a slump after hitting a double and a home run in the contest. Mark Teixeira added two bombs of his own and Hank Blalock smacked a dinger, as well.

WP: Brandon McCarthy (3-1) - 5.2 IP, K, 3 H
LP: Andy Pettitte (3-2) - 3.2 IP, 2 K, 6 H, 3 ER
S: Kevin Walker (1)



Kenny Lofton - 2-5, R
Ian Kinsler - 1-3, R, RBI, SB (2)
Michael Young - 2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR (7), 2 RBI, K
Mark Teixeira - 2-4, 2 R, 2 HR (5), 3 RBI
Sammy Sosa - 2-4, R, RBI
Hank Blalock - 2-4, 2 R, HR (5), 2 RBI, K
Gerald Laird - 2-3, 2B
Nelson Cruz - 0-4
Frank Catalanotto - 2-4, R, 2B, RBI, SB (1), K



Derek Jeter - 0-4
Johnny Damon - 0-4, K
Bobby Abreu - 0-3, K
Jason Giambi - 2-3, R, HR (14), RBI
Alex Rodriguez - 0-3
Robinson Cano - 0-3
Jorge Posada - 1-3, 2B
Melky Cabrera - 0-3
Doug Mientkiewicz - 1-3

Ian Kinsler Hitting Streak: 19 games
Record: 18-10

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Lofton's Name Brought Up in Trade Talks
The Rangers are in serious talks with the Mets


Journeyman Kenny Lofton's stay in Texas might be over

Arlington, TX -- Despite doing a great job in setting the table for the Texas Rangers this season, Kenny Lofton's services have been actively pursued by other MLB teams this season. The Rangers aren't shy about getting their needs out there, either, as the Texas front office has contacted numerous teams to shore up their weak pitching staff.

Among the many teams that Texas has talked to involving a deal are the New York Mets. Although the Mets have no everyday position to offer Lofton, the speedy outfielder would likely platoon as a corner outfielder and serve as a pinch runner in the later innings of ball games. Ramon Vasquez, who has yet to see the field for Texas this year, has also been included as a part of the trade, as the Mets are trying to find themselves an everyday second baseman.

In return for Lofton and Vasquez, the Rangers would likely receive Jorge Sosa and troubled youngster Lastings Milledge. Sosa has been dubbed a reliable arm either at the end of the rotation or out of the 'pen, and his services would be greatly appreciated in Arlington. Milledge, the 21 year old phenom with behavior issues, would likely step in immediately as the everyday centerfielder, a position he would need to learn on the fly.

Nothing is official, but both sides are willing to make the trade work. Stay tuned for updates.

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Yankees Claim Finale
The Rangers lose despite three HR's
Rangers 4, Yankees 5


Alex Rodriguez was 2-4 with a double in the third game

Arlington, TX -- Despite the circling trade rumors, the Rangers and Yankees still had business to tend to in the form of a series finale. This time around, the ball game looked no different, as the Rangers belted three early home runs to jump out to a lead. Kei Igawa, despite giving up the blasts, pitched well for the Yanks as he went eight innings and struck out nine.

After Robinson Tejeda left the hill for Texas, all hell broke loose. Franklyn German pitched next for the Rangers, and gave up two earned runs in just two innings of work, and allowed the Yanks to claim a 5-4 lead late in the game. The Sandman, Mariano Rivera, came in to close out the Rangers in the bottom of the ninth.

WP: Kei Igawa (3-1) - 8 IP, 9 K, 7 H, 3 ER
LP: Franklyn German (0-2) - 2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER
S: Mariano Rivera (8)
- Robinson Tejeda (TEX) - 6.1 IP, K, 8 H, 3 ER



Kenny Lofton - 0-4, K, 2 SB (9)
Ian Kinsler - 1-4, 3 K
Michael Young - 1-4, K
Mark Teixeira - 1-4, R, HR (6), RBI, 2 K
Sammy Sosa - 2-4, 2 R, HR (3), RBI
Hank Blalock - 2-4, R, HR (6), 2 RBI
Gerald Laird - 0-3
Nelson Cruz - 1-3, K
Frank Catalanotto - 0-2, K



Derek Jeter - 3-5, R, 2B, RBI, SB (5)
Johnny Damon - 0-5, K
Bobby Abreu - 0-4
Jason Giambi - 3-4, 2 R, 2B, 3B, RBI, K
Alex Rodriguez - 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Robinson Cano - 2-4
Jorge Posada - 1-4, R, 2B
Melky Cabrera - 1-4, R, 2B
Doug Mientkiewicz - 0-4, RBI

Ian Kinsler Hit Streak: 20 games
Record: 18-11

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Roy Halladay Earns First W of Season
The Rangers lose in a route to visiting Jays
Rangers 1, Blue Jays 11


Roy Halladay now sits at 1-5 in 2007 after beating TEX

Arlington, TX -- The Rangers had nine hits on the afternoon against Roy Halladay. Against a series of pitchers, the Blue Jays totaled twenty knocks. At first glance, it would appear that Toronto absolutely killed the Rangers in the series opener. Looking even closer... it would appear that would be an understatement. The visiting Canadian ball club blasted three homers on the day, and in all honesty, not much more needs to be said about this offensive onslaught.

WP: Roy Halladay (1-5) - CG, 5 K, 9 H, ER
LP: Jamey Wright (2-2) - 4.1 IP, K, 11 H, 6 ER



Kenny Lofton - 0-4
Ian Kinsler - 1-4, R, 2B
Michael Young - 0-4, 2 K
Mark Teixeira - 2-4, RBI
Hank Blalock - 2-4, 2B, K
Jason Botts - 2-4
Brad Wilkerson - 1-3, K
Gerald Laird - 0-4, K
Frank Catalanotto - 1-3



Vernon Wells - 4-5, 3 R, 3 2B
Alex Rios - 3-5, 3 R, 2B, 2 HR (5), 5 RBI
Frank Thomas - 1-5, R
Troy Glaus - 4-5, 2 R, 2 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, K
Lyle Overbay - 1-5, R, RBI
Reed Johnson - 1-5, RBI, K
Greg Zaun - 2-5, 2B, K
Aaron Hill - 2-4, RBI
Royce Clayton - 2-5, R, 2B, HR (4), RBI, K

Ian Kinsler Hit Streak: 21 games
Record: 18-12

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Texas Lineup Continues to Struggle in Loss
A.J. Burnett remains undefeated after beating TEX
Rangers 1, Blue Jays 3


A.J. Burnett struck out three Texas hitters in the effort

Arlington, TX -- Unlike the previous game against Toronto, the Rangers actually decided to play baseball in the second matchup of the series. Michael Young gave Texas the early lead with his eighth dinger of 2007, but that would be the only run the Rangers would score in the ball game. A.J. Burnett was solid on the hill, and struck out three en route to his fifth victory of the year.

In the sixth, Aaron Hill's RBI-double knotted the score at one. The next batter, Royce Clayton, hit his second home run in as many days, driving in two runs to put the Jays ahead. B.J. Ryan would close out the ball game for his fourth save of the year, handing the Rangers their third loss in a row.

Adding to the loss, Ian Kinsler was 0-4 on the day, snapping his 21-game hit streak.

WP: A.J. Burnett (5-0) - 8 IP, 3 K, 6 H, ER
LP: Kameron Loe (1-2) - 7 IP, 2 K, 8 H, 2 ER
S: B.J. Ryan (4)



Kenny Lofton - 1-4
Ian Kinsler - 0-4
Michael Young - 1-4, R, HR (8), RBI
Mark Teixeira - 1-4
Hank Blalock - 3-4
Jason Botts - 1-4, 2B, 2 K
Brad Wilkerson - 0-3, K
Gerald Laird - 0-4
Frank Catalanotto - 1-3, K



Vernon Wells - 1-3
Alex Rios - 0-4
Frank Thomas - 1-4
Troy Glaus - 1-4, K
Lyle Overbay - 1-4, R, 2B
Reed Johnson - 0-4
Greg Zaun - 2-4, R
Aaron Hill - 2-4, K, 2B, RBI
Royce Clayton - 2-4, R, HR (5), 2 RBI, K

Record: 18-13