Foul Territory

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)

Littleton up, Feldman down

The Rangers called up right-handed reliever Wes Littleton from Triple-A Oklahoma on Monday. Scott Feldman, who made a spot start on Saturday, was optioned to Double-A Frisco.

Littleton was the last player cut from the Rangers roster, which made the decision easy for manager Ron Washington.

"Littleton hasn't done anything in Triple-A that makes him not earn the spot," Washington said. "He was ahead of Kameron Loe in spring training and his performance is going to determine how long he stays with us. But I told him, 'Don't make us call you back up here.'"

Said Littleton: "I was shocked. I wasn't expecting it, but I'm glad to be here. I'm just looking to help the team out and hoping to stay here."

-- Drew Davison

Rangers tickets for Opening Day

The Rangers have released a limited number of VIP holds for Opening Day at Rangers Ballpark on Tuesday, April 8.

In addition, a special allotment of Standing Room Only tickets are now available to Inside Pitch members.

Standing Room Only tickets allow access into Rangers Ballpark without reserved seating for $15. Fans holding Standing Room Only tickets may watch the game standing in areas behind Lower Home Run Porch, Bleachers, and the mezzanine level behind Sections numbered in the 100's.

For information call 972-Rangers (972-726-4377).

Wilson lends a hand

Left-hander C.J. Wilson, the front-runner to be the Rangers' closer, donated $10,000 and $4,000 of video games and equipment to the outpatient hematology/oncology clinic at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth.

The money was raised during three Guitar Hero III tournaments, the latest of which was held Friday in  Dallas. GameStop and Southwest Airlines offered support. "

"Ever since I was little, I've always felt like there was something I could do to help out," Wilson said. "My master plan has been the more successful I am, the more people I can help out."

Byrd flying away? Not yet.

Reports out of Chicago suggest the Cubs have targeted Rangers outfielder Marlon Byrd as part of their solution in center field in 2008 along with Felix Pie.

Speculation is that the Cubs would be willing to send outfielder Matt Murton for Byrd, who signed a 1-year, $1.8 million deal last week, or add slimmed-down minor-league pitching prospect Sean Gallagher to make a deal more attractive.

But that might not be enough to entice the Rangers. Byrd is the front-runner to play every day in left field, and his 2007 performance (.307, 10 HR, 70 RBI in 414 at-bats) suggests he could handle 500-plus at-bats. He is also insurance in center field should an injury befall Josh Hamilton.

Where will Cameron go?

The Cardinals have traded oft-injured and aging center fielder Jim Edmonds to the Padres, who had been in negotiations to bring back free-agent center fielder Mike Cameron.

Cameron might seem like an attractive option for Rangers general manager Jon Daniels, who said he would still like to add to the outfield this off-season to go with the recently signed Milton Bradley. Cameron has played in the AL West (Seattle), he's a former Gold Glove winner, and he can hit for power.

But he also is a strikeout machine who will miss the first 25 games of the season while serving a suspension for using a banned substance. The soon-to-be 35-year-old also wants more than a one-year contract, something the Rangers have said they would be hesitant to do this off-season.

Cameron will play somehwere in 2008, but for now it looks like he won't be in Arlington.

Rangers sign Alfonso

Infielder Edgardo Alfonso has signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers, general manager Jon Daniels said. Alfonso, a career .284 hitter, played with the Mets from 1995-2002. In 2007, he played for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, batting .266 with 56 RBI and 23 doubles while playing shortstop and third base.