Brewers 11, Rangers 10

PHOENIX— It was an up-and-down day Thursday for the Texas Rangers’ bullpen against Milwaukee.

Pedro Strop’s wild pitch in the ninth inning ended the game and capped a day on which Texas relievers gave up five runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Right-hander Warner Madrigal, trying to earn a bullpen spot, gave up four earned runs in two innings. Madrigal has surrendered eight runs over his last three innings.

"He’s catching too much of the plate,"Rangers manager Ron Washington said."It’s not like he’s walking people. He’s just getting too much of the plate."

It wasn’t all bad for the bullpen. Closer Frank Francisco worked two hitless innings. Francisco struck out the final batter he faced looking and lowered his ERA to 4.00. Washington was pleased with the way Francisco threw pitches other than his fastball.

Doug Mathis gave up six runs, four of which were earned. The Rangers committed three errors.

Marlon Byrd hit a homer for the Rangers and had two RBI. Frank Catalanotto and Adam Melhuse also had two RBI for Texas, which led 7-0 in the third inning.

— Anthony Andro

A new stance

Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton said he has started work on a new batting stance as he starts the process of improving for next season.

The change is in his stride. Instead of sliding his right foot slightly toward the left before he steps into his swing, Hamilton is trying to lift his right foot straight up and down.

Eliminating the"tap-stepping"is part of trying to make his swing simpler.

"I’ve been working on it the last four or five games,"Hamilton said."I’m trying to keep it simple, so when you get into slump, you don’t have to think about a bunch of different things."

Hamilton had been in prolonged RBI and home-run slumps until this week. He drove in two runs Wednesday to snap a 15-game RBI drought, and had two more and his first homer in 20 games Friday.

One more time

The Rangers’ original lineup Saturday featured two players who manager Ron Washington wanted to see play one more time before the season ends. Frank Catalanotto was the designated hitter, and Ramon Vazquez was at second base before becoming a late scratch.

The decision to pull him from the lineup had nothing to do with the one-game suspension he was handed Wednesday, but it means he might not start again this season.

He will learn this morning whether Major League Baseball changed his punishment for an ejection last weekend. Vazquez asked to have the suspension dropped, but he will serve it today if he loses his appeal.

Catalanotto played instead of Milton Bradley. Nothing is wrong with the first-time All-Star, and Washington expects him to return to the lineup for the season finale.

No time for worrying

General manager Jon Daniels said he had been too busy with the day-to-day baseball business that he hadn’t taken time to consider his job security. Team president Nolan Ryan said last week that Daniels and Ron Washington will return in 2009.

"I was always pretty focused with the job at hand,"Daniels said."You hear the rumors out there, but I learned a long time ago not to pay too much attention to them."

Briefly

Right-hander Kameron Loe, hit on the forearm by a line drive Sept. 19, said it would take a miracle for him to pitch against this season. The muscle is bruised and continues to restrict the range of motion of his hand and middle finger.

Jason Jennings has resumed throwing after undergoing surgery on his elbow in May. The soon-to-be free agent expects to be on a mound by December. The right-hander would like to return to the Rangers but said he will test the free-agent market.

If Classic calls

Shortstop Michael Young and second baseman Ian Kinsler said they would accept an invitation to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic next spring.

The Rangers could have several players participate in the second classic, which debuted in 2006 and was won by Japan. Final rosters are expected to be announced in February.

"Absolutely,"Kinsler said."I talked to Mike about it when he went, and he said if you have the opportunity to go, it’s something you need to do at least once."

Young, who returned to the Rangers’ lineup Monday after missing two games with soreness in his broken right ring finger, and Frank Catalanotto, who played for Italy, took part in the first event. Infielder German Duran, a Fort Worth resident, is eligible to play for his native Mexico and said he would.

Among those asked, only Dominican reliever Frank Francisco indicated that he would decline an invitation to play. Josh Hamilton said he hasn’t considered it.

Spring training in 2009 is expected to start sooner and run longer than this year to accommodate the WBC, which will begin March 5 and conclude with the title game March 23.

Harrison ready

Matt Harrison said his arm felt strong during a bullpen session Sunday, a day sooner than planned, and he will make his scheduled start Wednesday.

The left-hander complained of a dead arm Friday when he was pulled after three ineffective innings against the Angels. But he felt so good playing long toss Sunday that he headed to the bullpen.

"The ball was coming out pretty good, so I think it’s going to be all right,"Harrison said."I’m hoping it was a one-time deal, because a dead arm can last a couple weeks."

McCarthy done

Right-hander Brandon McCarthy will not pitch again this season after suffering a strained flexor tendon in his middle finger, manager Ron Washington said.

McCarthy, though, will continue throwing, possibly in the bullpen a few times so he knows he’s healthy.

"But we’re not going to throw him into any games,"Washington said.

Right way

Ron Washington said he would like to see a right-handed power bat added to the Rangers’ left-handed-heavy lineup during the off-season. There’s a problem.

"It seems the like the best bats out there [in free agency] are lefties,"he said.

Catcher Max Ramirez isn’t ready to fill the role, Washington said, even though he could develop into a middle-of-the-order hitter within a few years.

Winter ball for Nippert

Mr. Versatile

German Duran started at shortstop Saturday, giving the 24-year-old starts at five positions this season. Duran, a natural second baseman, has also started 25 games at third base, five at second, two in left field and one in right.

Rangers manager Ron Washington said Duran is one of three candidates to be the Rangers’ utility infielder next season, along with Ramon Vazquez and Joaquin Arias.

Vazquez can be a free agent after the season and might want a two-year contract. Arias, who has a weakened arm, has to be able to make the throw from the left side of the infield to be a candidate.

Duran, a Fort Worth Paschal graduate, has gained experience in the utility role this season, but Washington said it might benefit him to play every day at Triple A while mastering second, short and third.

Cleaning up

Among the reasons to re-sign Milton Bradley for next season is his value as a cleanup hitter as well as his potential versatility as an outfielder and designated hitter.

The Rangers have been exploring internal options for the fourth spot in the lineup and DH, assistant general manager Thad Levine said. The DH spot will be easier to fill. Hank Blalock could fill the role if the Rangers exercise their one-year option for $6.25 million. Frank Catalanotto and Max Ramirez could platoon there. Each could serve as a backup at first base, and Ramirez could be a third catcher.

Harrison’s dead arm

Matt Harrison was removed from Friday’s game after the third inning complaining of a dead arm. Ron Washington said Harrison is fine, but the left-hander will be evaluated after a bullpen session Monday. Washington said he would wait until Monday to determine whether Harrison would start Wednesday against Oakland.

Briefly

Right-hander Kameron Loe said he is day-to-day after being hit by a line drive on the right forearm Friday. He hopes to pitch again this season, but Saturday he couldn’t make a fist.

Outfielder David Murphy (knee) expects to be able to resume his normal off-season workout routine on schedule, beginning in November. Murphy said he might go through light workouts in October to help strengthen his right quadriceps and stabilize the knee.

— Stefan Stevenson

Injuries forced Texas Rangers catcher Gerald Laird to play third base for the first time in his major league career earlier this season, and injuries were behind another big league first for him Wednesday.

Laird was the Rangers’ leadoff man in the series finale against the Mariners as manager Ron Washington found himself in need of a designated hitter and someone atop the lineup.

"It’s kind of fun,"said Laird, who said he batted first regularly at Cypress (Calif.) Junior College."I’m going to take the same approach. I’m not going to change anything."

Laird joked that his sneaky speed and the fact that he led catchers in bunt hits last season qualified him to be atop the lineup. Need was also a pretty big factor.

Washington was without Milton Bradley (back) and Frank Catalanotto (groin), and had decided to play German Duran at second base in place of Joaquin Arias. Laird, who hadn’t played since Saturday, then became the best choice to DH and hit first.

— Jeff Wilson

Left wing

Midseason trades, injuries and the annual rite of September baseball have made the Oakland Athletics’ rotation mostly left-handed, and the Texas Rangers will see that this weekend at McAfee Coliseum.

They are scheduled to face lefty starters in all four games. Add in Seattle’s Cesar Jimenez on Wednesday and a scheduled start for Dontrelle Willis on Monday for Detroit, and the Rangers could face six consecutive lefties for the first time since 1994.

The Rangers have three left-handed bats in their regular lineup— Josh Hamilton, Hank Blalock and Chris Davis. All three are hitting better than .250 against lefties.

"I can’t really say that I’ve had an at-bat [against a lefty] where I’ve said,'I really don’t feel right against this guy,’ "Davis said."I feel good against righties or lefties."

Bradley’s back better

Designated hitter Milton Bradley was out of the lineup for the finale against Seattle, but manager Ron Washington said Bradley’s strained lower back isn’t as severe as originally thought.

Bradley, who wasn’t available to pinch-hit, should return to the lineup at Oakland. He left Tuesday’s game after fouling off the first pitch of his first at-bat.

Bradley needs 32 more plate appearances to ensure that he will quality for the league batting title. He entered Wednesday tied with Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia for the lead with a .327 average.

Outfielder/DH Frank Catalanotto (left groin) also wasn’t available against Seattle, but expects to be ready to play beginning today.

OR watch

Second baseman Ian Kinsler is scheduled to undergo surgery this morning in Dallas to repair a sports hernia. The All-Star should be able to resume all baseball activities in six to eight weeks.

Doug Mathis underwent surgery Wednesday to remove an inflamed bursa sac from his right shoulder. He will be down six to eight weeks before beginning a throwing program.

For the record

The Rangers need two double plays to break the club single-season double-play record of 179 set last year. The 178 they have turned lead the majors.

Hamilton weary

Texas Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton admitted Sunday the All-Star break in New York helped contribute to his poor start in the season’s second half. He said it took him"a week and a half to two weeks"to recover and get back to his normal routine.

"It takes a lot out of you,"said Hamilton, who hit .310 with 21 home runs before the All-Star break and .286 with 10 homers since."We got probably a total of seven, eight hours of sleep when we were up there."

Hamilton and the other Rangers All-Stars had travel problems getting to New York. In addition, he participated in the Home Run Derby, played in the 15-inning game, and left town late.

"It was worth it, obviously,"Hamilton said."If it happens again, I’ll be a little bit more prepared. Being the first one, you want to accommodate a lot of people and you want to do a lot of things, but it was worth it."

Byrd back in lineup

Outfielder Marlon Byrd was back in the Rangers’ lineup after missing Saturday’s game with a sprained left thumb and coming out of Friday’s game in the first inning. He said he could have played Saturday after taking batting practice, but manager Ron Washington said he didn’t want to take the chance.

There was no hesitation Sunday from Washington giving Byrd his 92nd start this season and 35th in right field. Byrd also snapped an 0-for-14 streak with a second-inning single.

"This morning I just made the lineup,"he said."I didn’t even ask."

Bradley’s fit next season

Outfielder Milton Bradley missed his second straight game with a sore left wrist that has bothered him for about a week. A late scratch from Saturday’s lineup, Bradley is hitting .389 over his past 30 games to increase his average to .327, second in the American League.

Ron Washington said he expects him to be back Tuesday when Texas is in Seattle.

"He told me he could play [Saturday] if I really wanted him to play, but I’m not going to force him out there to the point where he can’t compete the way he wants to compete,"Washington said.

Bradley has played in 114 of 144 games this season after returning from a major knee injury last season and fighting through leg injuries. Washington said he wants Bradley back next year.

Should Bradley return and prove healthy enough to be an everyday outfielder, that leaves the Rangers having to decide who is left out among Bradley, Josh Hamilton, David Murphy, Marlon Byrd, Brandon Boggs, Nelson Cruz and Frank Catalanotto.

"If we have all these outfielders, they are all going to play,"Washington said."It’s a good problem to have."

Eric Hurley, who was scheduled to come off the disabled list and start Monday, instead remained on the DL after experiencing some soreness in his right arm. The right-hander went on the DL with a sore hamstring, but his arm was hurting after a rehab start in Frisco last week. Neither Hurley nor Rangers manager Ron Washington think the soreness is anything to worry about. He’s expected to make his next start in Oakland.

"It just didn’t feel right,"said Hurley, who has been on the disabled list since July 8."It felt good today but I don’t think they felt there was any reason to rush me out there. It’s not a big deal."

Wilson not worried

C.J. Wilson doesn’t expect any different reaction from Chicago fans in the wake of the July 13 game in Arlington. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said Wilson showed up some of his players during the ninth inning. Wilson said his reaction was part of his normal response.

"It’s not like it’s rare to have clashes in the sport of baseball,"Wilson said."We’re playing against other people. They’re trying to win and we’re trying to win. There’s lot of stuff at stake."

Lineup changes

Milton Bradley started in right field for the first time since July 4, and Frank Catalanotto made his first start since July 10. The changes went hand-in-hand. Starting Bradley in the outfield created a starting spot for Catalanotto. Ron Washington is trying to figure out ways to get Catalanotto into games.

"I can’t sit him all the time,"Washington said."I feel bad when I don’t play him. He’s been a big part of our club. It’s not as often as I know he’d like it, but I do like to get him in there."

Blalock will start to hit

Hank Blalock was just 1-for-9 since returning from the disabled list entering Monday, with the lone hit being a single. But Ron Washington is confident that Blalock’s hitting stroke will come around, and soon.

"Hank looks fine and he’s just got to keep getting at-bats,"Washington said."It’s going to start happening. He missed a lot of time. He’s going to have to get comfortable."

Blalock proved Washington right Monday in the eighth inning when he hit a two-run home run, his first homer since April 18.

Briefly

Gerald Laird begins a three-game rehab assignment today with Oklahoma in Salt Lake City. It’s hoped Laird will rejoin the Rangers on Friday in Oakland.

Cycling great and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong taped a segment before the game that will be part of the"Stand Up to Cancer"fundraising initiative. The one-hour commercial-free special will air Sept. 5 on ABC, CBS and NBC. The taping delayed the start of Monday’s game by more than 15 minutes.

Saturday’s game against Oakland will not be televised. The 3:07 p.m. game falls in the Fox broadcasting window but it wasn’t picked up.

Kevin Millwood had to leave his last start early. Vicente Padilla is ailing. Now rookie Eric Hurley has been scratched from today’s start because of his hamstring. Hurley, who won his last decision, hurt his left hamstring before Friday’s game.

"I was doing some sprints today and I pulled up a little lame,"Hurley said."I should be all right. I don’t think it’s a huge deal. My leg’s been tight the past couple of days."

Hurley’s spot will be taken by Scott Feldman, who will pitch on his regular rest. Feldman was scheduled to start Tuesday to give the former reliever some extra rest. Hurley (1-1, 3.57 ERA) said he hopes to take Feldman’s spot Tuesday against Los Angeles.

No Blalock movement

Despite Chris Davis’ hot start, Rangers manager Ron Washington said there hasn’t been any talk about moving Hank Blalock back to third once he’s healthy. When Davis was called up, Washington said he’d be here until Blalock was ready. That was three home runs ago for Davis.

"He [Blalock] didn’t want to be yo-yoed back and forth, and I’m going to do my best to respect that,"Washington said."When we said we were moving Hank to first base we were saying we’d be a better team. Let’s let this play out. We’ll see what happens when Hank is ready."

Washington also said the team hasn’t considered moving Davis back to third base.

Cat draws another start

Fresh off his 3-for-3 performance, Frank Catalanotto was in the starting lineup again Friday. Catalanotto started at designated hitter, with Milton Bradley playing in right. Ron Washington is looking for ways to get Catalanotto more at-bats in the wake of the promotion of Chris Davis. Catalanotto went 1-for-4 Friday and is hitting .290.

Stars and stripes

The Rangers are wearing special hats for this series and Sept. 11 as part of the league’s Welcome Back Veterans program. The hats have red, white and blue through the'T’ logo on the front. They are also being sold, with a portion of the proceeds going to the program. The Welcome Back Veteran program helps veterans with mental health issues and job needs.

Nice outing for Madrigal

Warner Madrigal allowed six runs in his major league debut and came into Friday’s game with a 162.00 ERA. He lowered that dramatically when he came on for Vicente Padilla in the third inning. Madrigal retired all seven batters he faced and left with a 20.25 ERA.

Briefly

Chris Shelton has accepted his assignment and reports to Triple A Oklahoma on Monday.

The Rangers’ July 21 game at Chicago has been moved from a 7:11 p.m. start to 7:27.

Brandon McCarthy threw a 55-pitch bullpen session in Arizona Friday and will pitch in a simulated game Tuesday.

Three more interleague road games remain on the Rangers’ schedule, and right fielder Milton Bradley might not play in any of them as the Rangers continue to wait for his strained left quadriceps to heal.

Manager Ron Washington said Bradley will be available as a pinch hitter, but there is no word when he will be in the outfield again. That’s the only place he can play the next three games at Houston with National League rules in play.

"You can’t push anyone out there if they’re not able to perform,"Washington said."We never expected it to last this long. We’ve just got to wait on him."

Bradley missed a fifth straight start, but he ran Sunday before the series finale against the Nationals and delivered a pinch hit Saturday. He could probably play in a tight situation, Washington said.

The Rangers will return to a more cautious approach when Bradley returns. He will likely be the designated hitter most games, and Washington will give him occasional starts in the outfield until he shows he is at full strength.

"That [means] playing him out there when he thinks he can, making sure we monitor his health and not overexpose him to fatigue,"Washington said."If he’s healthy, I’m going to give him some time in the outfield."

Rest for Murphy

Outfielder David Murphy was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive game against a left-handed starter, but Ron Washington said not too reach too much into his decision to sit the left-hander.

Washington used Sunday to give Murphy a two-day break, as the team is off today. He is riding a 9-for-50 cold streak and has responded well after days off this season.

Murphy will continue to face lefties even though he his hitting only .223 against them.

"I’ll still throw Murphy in there against lefties,"Washington said."I just wanted to give him a break."

Roster move coming

The Rangers are planning to activate Hank Blalock from the disabled list Tuesday before opening a three-game series at Houston, and someone will have to be moved to make room for the first baseman.

Chris Shelton appears to be the odd man out. The Rangers won’t carry three first basemen, and he’s hitting only .219. He’s also out of options.

The plan is that Blalock will play nine innings today for Triple A Oklahoma after playing five Saturday and seven Sunday.

Briefly

Max Ramirez went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in his first major-league game. He was removed in the eighth for pinch hitter Frank Catalanotto, who slapped a single to left field to bring home the go-ahead run.

Left-hander Eddie Guardado said he injured his right ankle after his second pitch in the eighth inning. The training staff, Ron Washington and pitching coach Mark Connor came to the mound to check on Guardado.

Waiting it out

Three more interleague road games remain on the Rangers’ schedule, and right fielder Milton Bradley might not play in any of them as the Rangers continue to wait for his strained left quadriceps to heal.

Manager Ron Washington said Bradley will be available as a pinch hitter, but there is no word when he will be in the outfield again. That’s the only place he can play the next three games at Houston with National League rules in play.

"You can’t push anyone out there if they’re not able to perform,"Washington said."We never expected it to last this long. We’ve just got to wait on him."

Bradley missed a fifth straight start, but he ran Sunday before the series finale against the Nationals and delivered a pinch hit Saturday. He could probably play in a tight situation, Washington said.

The Rangers will return to a more cautious approach when Bradley returns. He will likely be the designated hitter most games, and Washington will give him occasional starts in the outfield until he shows he is at full strength.

"That [means] playing him out there when he thinks he can, making sure we monitor his health and not overexpose him to fatigue,"Washington said."If he’s healthy, I’m going to give him some time in the outfield."

Rest for Murphy

Outfielder David Murphy was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive game against a left-handed starter, but Ron Washington said not too reach too much into his decision to sit the left-hander.

Washington used Sunday to give Murphy a two-day break, as the team is off today. He is riding a 9-for-50 cold streak and has responded well after days off this season.

Murphy will continue to face lefties even though he his hitting only .223 against them.

"I’ll still throw Murphy in there against lefties,"Washington said."I just wanted to give him a break."

Roster move coming

The Rangers are planning to activate Hank Blalock from the disabled list Tuesday before opening a three-game series at Houston, and someone will have to be moved to make room for the first baseman.

Chris Shelton appears to be the odd man out. The Rangers won’t carry three first basemen, and he’s hitting only .219. He’s also out of options.

The plan is that Blalock will play nine innings today for Triple A Oklahoma after playing five Saturday and seven Sunday.

Briefly

Max Ramirez went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in his first major-league game. He was removed in the eighth for pinch hitter Frank Catalanotto, who slapped a single to left field to bring home the go-ahead run.

Left-hander Eddie Guardado said he injured his right ankle after his second pitch in the eighth inning. The training staff, Ron Washington and pitching coach Mark Connor came to the mound to check on Guardado.

The president welcomed a party of about 90 players, coaches, executives and family members into the Oval Office for one-on-one photos and chat time.

The players were impressed with the president’s baseball knowledge. David Murphy was shocked when, during an introduction, Bush said,"You’re a Baylor boy."

Frank Catalanotto and Josh Hamilton were caught off-guard when the president referred to them by first name without an introduction.

The visit had more meaning for the players who were accompanied by their family. Catalanotto’s 9-year-old daughter, Morgan, presented Bush with a book she and her classmates had made in anticipation of her visit.

"That was fun,"Catalanotto said."It’s an experience I will never forget."

— Jeff Wilson

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—Texas Rangers infielder Hank Blalock had a cortisone shot Tuesday for carpal tunnel syndrome in his right wrist.

Blalock originally went on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring injury on April 29, retroactive to April 26. He experienced soreness in the wrist last week.

“He got the injection,”Rangers manager Ron Washington said Tuesday night before a game against Tampa Bay.“We’ll see if the injection helps.”

Washington said Blalock will need to go on a minor league rehab assignment before being activated from the DL.

In other news, right-hander Kevin Millwood is expected to make 85-to-90 pitches in his first start Friday against Oakland since being sidelined by a strained right groin. He went on the disabled list May 11.

Frank Catalanotto was in the starting lineup at first base for TuesdayÂ’s game with the Rays. He missed the previous seven games with a sore back.

MINNEAPOLIS—The injured groin of Kevin Millwood passed yet another test Wednesday, and Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington said the right-hander could be activated from the 15-day disabled list in time to start the opener of the next homestand May 30.

Washington and pitching coach Mark Connor put Millwood through a battery of fielding tests, which included covering first base. Millwood said everything went“great,”and Washington didn’t notice any problems.

“He’s doing everything now what he’s required to do,”Washington said.“He moved pretty well. It’s just a part of the process.”

Millwood will throw a bullpen session Thursday, and the coaches will determine if he needs to make a rehab start this weekend.

Mathis on Sunday

Allowing nine runs during his first major-league start Tuesday did not cost Doug Mathis a second start.

Ron Washington said the right-hander will take the mound Sunday at Cleveland after a closer look at TuesdayÂ’s outing revealed that it was better than the statistics might indicate.

Three of the nine runs Mathis allowed were unearned, and Washington said the Twins received some good fortune by getting hits on some quality pitches from Mathis.

“There were a couple of plays that if we had made, it would have made a difference also,”Washington said.“We felt like the linescore was skewed a little bit, and he deserves another chance.”

Catalanotto ailing

Chris Shelton, a right-handed hitter, was at first base against Twins right-hander Nick Blackburn as platoon partner Frank Catalanotto recovered from a stiff back.

Ron Washington said CatalanottoÂ’s back had stiffened overnight and that he was available only as a pinch-hitter. The rigors of playing on artificial turf will likely keep Catalanotto out of the lineup Thursday in the series finale.

Two milestones for Hamilton

Josh Hamilton was treated to a historical nugget on his 27th birthday Wednesday. He reached 50 career RBI in the American League faster than any player league history.

His solo homer Monday game him 50 in 45 games, topping the former record of 46 games shared by Joe DiMaggio and Carl Everett. Hamilton bumped his total to 51 in the ninth inning Tuesday.

DiMaggio and Everett went on to make the All-Star team in 1936 and 2000.

Briefly

Right-hander Luis Mendoza estimated that he threw 30 pitches during a bullpen session. But tape had been applied over the blister on his right middle finger, and his return from the disabled list remains uncertain. WednesdayÂ’s effort was to keep his shoulder healthy.

Chris Shelton’s diving, first-inning stab Tuesday earned him top-play honors onSportsCenter, but Ron Washington didn’t learn of it until just before Wednesday’s game.“I don’t watch ESPN after we lose,”he said.

The Detroit Tigers know they have a lot of power in their lineup. They just didn't count Ramon Santiago among their sluggers - until Tuesday night.

Santiago homered for the first time since 2003 and drove in three runs to help the Tigers beat the Texas Rangers 10-2.

"I put a pretty good swing on that one,"Santiago said of his 380-foot homer down the right-field line."I wasn't expecting to hit one that far."

Manager Jim Leyland appreciated the homer, but doesn't want his soft-hitting utility infielder thinking about hitting more.

"If he starts hitting the ball in the air, he's going to be in big trouble,"Leyland said."It's OK if you hit them that far, but he's not going to hit many that far."

Magglio Ordonez also homered, giving him 1,000 RBIs for his career, while Edgar Renteria had four hits.

"We know our offense is capable of doing this, but we have to do it on a consistent basis,"Leyland said."This was a good step, but we've done this before and then gone back into a slump."

The Rangers are 2-10 since April 11.

"We're in a funk,"Texas manager Ron Washington said."First it was our defense, and now it is the pitching. It seems to have come all the way around on us."

Justin Verlander (1-3) struggled early, giving up five hits in the first two innings, but got out of it with only one run allowed. He blanked the Rangers in his last four innings, giving up one more hit, to lower his season ERA to 5.93.

"I had some trouble with my command early, but I expected that, because I've made some adjustments since my last start,"he said."This isn't exactly what I wanted - I want to be going more than six innings - but I'll take it."

Vicente Padilla (2-2) allowed seven runs and eight hits in three innings. Seven of the hits went for extra bases, including three home runs.

"I had a couple good innings, and then things went wrong,"Padilla said through an interpreter."I didn't make any pitches. I don't feel bad, because it was just one outing, but I have to work to get better."

After Frank Catalanotto's second-inning homer made it 1-0, the Tigers came back with two runs in the bottom of the inning on a run-scoring groundout by Brandon Inge and Santiago's RBI double.

The Tigers took control with five runs in the third. With one out, Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera hit back-to-back homers over the left-field bullpens, and Jacque Jones followed with a triple to center.

Renteria's single made it 5-1, and Santiago increased the margin to six with Detroit's third homer of the inning and his first since Aug. 1, 2003.

"He just lost his focus,"Washington said of Padilla, who was removed after the inning."He's been great for us since spring. This was just a bad night for him."

Josh Hamilton's sacrifice fly made it 7-2 in the seventh, but the Tigers put the game away with three runs in the eighth.

Notes:@ Leyland announced after the game that Carlos Guillen and Cabrera were going to switch positions, effective immediately. Guillen, who moved from shortstop to first base this season, will now go to third, with Cabrera going to first. ... CF Curtis Granderson, playing his last minor league rehab game while recovering from a broken hand, left Tuesday's game with Single-A West Michigan with tightness in his legs. Leyland said that Granderson will report to the Tigers on Wednesday, and undergo an evaluation before any decision is made about his return to the lineup. ... Padilla had never lost to Detroit, going 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA in four starts before Tuesday.

TORONTO—Frank Catalanotto scored the go-ahead run on A.J. Burnett’s wild pitch in the 14th inning and the Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-5 Wednesday night, snapping a five-game losing streak.

With the bullpen depleted, Burnett (1-1) relieved in the 14th. Burnett, who started in Texas on Sunday, became TorontoÂ’s ninth pitcher of the game, tying a team record.

Gerald Laird greeted Burnett with a single and went to third on CatalanottoÂ’s one-out double just inside the first-base line.

With the infield in, Laird tried to score on Michael YoungÂ’s grounder and was thrown out at the plate. Catalanotto moved up to third on the play and scored one pitch later when Burnett threw a pitch through catcher Gregg ZaunÂ’s legs.

Josh Hamilton followed with an RBI double. Hamilton finished 4-for-7 and drove in two runs—for the first time in seven games, he did not score.

Catalanotto also homered and Jason Botts hit a solo homer and two-run double for the Rangers. Milton Bradley drew five walks, two of them intentional, and extended his hitting streak to 11 games for Texas while going 2-for-3.

Dustin Nippert (1-1) worked one inning for the win and C.J. Wilson closed it out for his fourth save.

Few fans from the announced crowd of 15,686 remained when the final pitch was thrown at midnight, four hours and 53 minutes after the game began.

Toronto rookie Jesse Carlson struck out three straight to escape a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the 11th.

The Blue Jays put runners at first and third with one out in the 10th, but Joe Inglett grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Trailing 5-2, Toronto tied it with three runs in the eighth against reliever Joaquin Benoit. Frank Thomas walked, pinch-hitter Matt Stairs singled and Lyle Overbay walked before Benoit issued a bases-loaded walk to Marco Scutaro.

Wes Littleton came on to face pinch-hitter Inglett, who grounded to first baseman Ben Broussard, who had replaced Botts for defensive purposes in the seventh. Broussard tried to get a force at second, but threw wildly into left field, allowing two runs to score and tying it at 5.

Texas has made eight errors in its past six games and leads the AL with 17 errors this season. Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock left in the 10th with a sore lower back and was replaced by Adam Melhuse.

Texas second baseman Ian Kinsler was held out of the starting lineup for the first time this season, but pinch-hit for Ramon Vazquez in the sixth.

Rangers left-hander Kason Gabbard gave up two runs on seven hits in six innings. Toronto righty Jesse Litsch allowed four runs on nine hits in five-plus innings. He walked none and struck out five.

Angels pitcher Kelvim Escobar (45) prepares to make a throw to first after fielding a slow roller by Texas Rangers' Frank Catalanotto in the second inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, July 5, 2007. Catalanotto was out at first in the 7-2 Angels win. " align="left" border="0">

Kelvim Escobar took another All-Star snub in stride. The Los Angeles Angels right-hander won his 10th game, striking out eight while allowing one run and three hits over seven innings in a 5-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Thursday night. The win came only hours after Escobar found out he missed another chance to make the American League team for next week's All-Star game.