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Rays/MLB
Up next: rangers
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published August 21, 2006
UP NEXT: RANGERS
WHAT'S NEW: If Texas misses the playoffs, don't blame its bullpen. Rangers relievers entered Sunday ranked sixth in the American League and in their just- completed four-game series with the Tigers allowed one run in 161/3 innings and struck out 18. Akinori Otsuka earned three saves as the Rangers won three of four. "The bullpen, the whole series, did a fantastic job," bench coach Don Wakamatsu, who filled in for suspended manager Buck Showalter, told MLB.com.
INJURIES: Pitcher Kip Wells (left foot, right shoulder) and outfielder Brad Wilkerson (right shoulder) are on the disabled list.
KEEP IN MIND: The Rangers entered Sunday as the only major-league team with six players with at least 60 RBIs: Mark Teixeira, Hank Blalock, Michael Young, Carlos Lee, Gary Matthews and Mark DeRosa.
WHO'S HOT: Young is batting .333 (19-for-57) with 10 RBIs in a stretch of 13 games in which he had hits in 10. The shortstop entered Sunday batting an AL-high .391 (45-for-115) with runners in scoring position and was tied for the league lead with 43 doubles.
WHO'S NOT: Second baseman Jerry Hairston is batting .115 (3-for-26) in his past 11 games in which he had at least one at-bat.
SERIES: The third and final meeting. Texas leads 5-0 and 52-32 overall. The Rangers are 2-0 at the Trop this season and 24-18 overall.
WATCH FOR ...
STAYING ON TRACK: Rays starter James Shields takes comfort from Tropicana Field's cozy confines. The right-hander is 3-1 with a 3.03 ERA in six games under the dome with a manageable .254 opponent batting average and 36 strikeouts in 352/3 innings.
EATON WELL: Rangers starter Adam Eaton has won his past two starts and allowed four earned runs in 13 innings for a 2.77 ERA with seven strikeouts and two walks.
NIGHT VISION: The point is somewhat moot because the game is being played indoors, but it is worth noting Eaton's sterling record in night games: 3-1 with a 2.78 ERA and a .169 opponent batting average.
[Last modified August 21, 2006, 01:56:54]
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