Texas Rangers

Ryan, Daniels: Washington is fine

With the Rangers struggling early, the question arises: Is manager Ron Washington safe? According to Nolan Ryan and Jon Daniels, he is. Both said they are not looking to make a managerial change.

Here's what Daniels had to say:

"Ron's our manager. I read about some of the stuff, but there have been zero discussions internally to the contrary. We believe in this team. We believe in this staff."

And from Ryan:

"I think Ron's fine. I don't see anything that concerns me. Obviously we've had some well-pitched games where we didn't score any runs. Then we had some games where we had a breakdown once we went to the bullpen. Our starting pitching didn't give us enough innings. As a whole, when you look at the two weeks, I'm pretty happy with where we are."

- Anthony Andro

Geometry is not a strong suit for the Rangers

Josh Hamilton took an awful angle on the "triple" hit by Shin-Soo Choo in the fourth inning. That allowed Cleveland to tie the game. It's nothing new though. Marlon Byrd took a bad angle on a ball in right field Friday night. For a team that plays 81 games in this park, you'd think they'd figure things out a little better than they have. But then again, when you're in a tailspin like the Rangers are, everyhing seems to go against you. But always remember, pi = 3.14159.

- Anthony Andro

A bad omen for Tony Romo

Gerald Laird had a nice high dollar Tony Romo jersey hanging from his locker before today's game. In the top of the second inning, he took a foul ball off Kelly Shoppach's place in the most uncomfortable of places. Is it a coincidence or a sign of what's to come for Romo this season? We'll see. Vicente Padilla is still looking good through two.

- Anthony Andro

Rangers lose again

Cleveland scores the final seven runs of the game to win 8-7. Josh Rupe had one of his worst nights of the year. If you're looking for a positive sign, it came with Brandon McCarthy's four-inning performance. If you're looking for a negative sign, the Rangers have lost 13 of 16 and are 2-6 on the home stand.

- Anthony Andro

Kinsler to wait on surgery

No, the All-Star second baseman won't be playing any time soon, but Ian Kinsler, diagnosed with a sports hernia, will wait two weeks to see if he improves in hopes that he can get back on the field before the season ends.

"It's still tough," Kinsler said. "Hopefully I get better in the next week. Just basically take it one step at a time."

Kinsler met with Dr. John Preskitt at the Baylor Medical Center in Dallas. Rangers trainer Jamie Reed said that Kinsler has a sports hernia, but in the mildest form. Kinsler has inflammation of the abdominal wall, not a strain or a tear.

"Surgery is definitely not in my lifetime checklist, so I don't want to end up going under," Kinsler said.

RHP Tommy Hunter to start Friday

Tommy Hunter will start in place of Eric Hurley on Friday, as the right-handed Hunter will make his major league debut in the series opener against Toronto. Hunter is 11-8 in the minors for the season, but more recently 2-2 in five starts with Triple-A Oklahoma. Hunter was drafted last year, and will be the 13th starter the Rangers have used this season.

- Angel Verdejo

Bradley homers, Rangers take lead

Milton Bradley ripped a line drive off the right-field foul pole to lead off the third inning, Max Ramirez had an RBI-single and Ian Kinsler had an RBI-bloop single later in the inning to give the Rangers their first lead of the game against the White Sox, 7-5.

It was Bradley's 19th home run this season, which ties his career-high. He had 19 in 2004 with the Dodgers.

Ramirez is 2-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored. Kinsler, meanwhile, is 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBI.

-- Drew Davison

Millwood unravels, White Sox lead

Through the first five innings, Texas Rangers starter Kevin Millwood was able to minimize damage. But he couldn't do it in the sixth.

The White Sox scored two runs on three hits off Millwood, taking a 4-2 lead. White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin had a two-run single and Jermaine Dye followed with a single. That ended Millwood's night as he left with one out and runners on the corners in the sixth after allowing all four runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts and four walks.

Rangers right-hander Frank Francisco came in and gave up an RBI-double to Jim Thome before retiring Nick Swisher and Joe Crede to end the inning as the White Sox have a 5-2 lead.

Bradley gives Rangers early lead

Milton Bradley continues to punish the White Sox. He had a solo home run to left off White Sox starter John Danks to lead off the second inning and give the Rangers a 1-0 lead.

Bradley now has a 24-game hitting streak against the White Sox, going back to 2002.

-- Drew Davison

Monday's lineup vs. the Angels

Texas manager Ron Washington gave outfielder David Murphy the day-off on Monday as the Rangers begin a two-game home series against the Angels. Frank Catalanotto will start in left, Josh Hamilton is back in centerfield and Marlon Byrd is in right. Here's the entire lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Michael Young, SS
3. Josh Hamilton, CF
4. Milton Bradley, DH
5. Hank Blalock, 3B
6. Marlon Byrd, RF
7. Frank Catalanotto, LF
8. Gerald Laird, C
9. Ben Broussard, 1B
SP - RHP Jason Jennings (0-2, 7.45 ERA)