Rangers grab a sweep

[mavsfanforever]

ARLINGTON – Maybe it's coincidence or just great timing.

But since Alex Rodriguez said he'd accept a trade if it would ultimately help the Rangers franchise, the shortstop has managed to increase his value, and maybe at the same time remind owner Tom Hicks why he doesn't want to trade the $250 million slugger.

Since facing a larger-than-usual group of reporters prior to Wednesday's game, he's made life difficult for a large group of opposing pitchers. He's batting .500 (10-for-20), with four homers, 10 RBIs and nine runs scored during the Rangers' five-game winning streak. He was at it again in Sunday night's 8-5 win over Cleveland in front of 19,133 at The Ballpark.

Rodriguez, who is now batting better than .300 for the first time since June 20, drove in two runs in the first two innings and hit his fourth home run in as many days. Texas, behind Rodriguez's homer and a three-run shot by Einar Diaz to break a tie in the third inning, came from behind for the second consecutive night.

It wasn't even A-Rod's offensive outburst that impressed Rangers manager Buck Showalter.

"As much as you're impressed with him offensively ... his defense has been lights out," Showalter said.

The Rangers, who have an off-day Monday before heading to Yankee Stadium for a three-game set beginning Tuesday, took two of three from Boston and swept Cleveland during the six-game homestand. Texas has won seven of its last eight games, and the five consecutive victories is the longest current streak in the majors.

Rodriguez and the Rangers' defense helped starter R.A. Dickey, who came back to pitch a strong game despite allowing three runs in the top half of the first. Dickey surrendered hits to the first three hitters he faced, as the Rangers fell behind, 3-0. But after former Ranger Ryan Ludwick hit a solo homer to right in the third inning, Dickey retired 13 of his next 14 batters to get his first win as a starter.

"I think they're a real aggressive ball club, and early on I was trying to establish my fastball and they were hitting it," said Dickey, who went to the film room with pitching coach Orel Hershiser after the first inning. "I made an adjustment to try and change speeds more throughout the rest of the game."


Dickey, who went a career-high seven innings Sunday, was the latest example of a Texas starter making progress in the last eight games. The rotation is 5-0 with a 3.58 ERA and 40 strikeouts, helping Texas to a 7-1 record in that span.

The bullpen, which has been over worked of late, didn't have an easy time in the final two innings. After Rosman Garcia allowed a run in the eighth, Brian Shouse and Francisco Cordero got the final six outs. Cordero had two on with one out in the ninth but struck out Coco Crisp and Casey Blake to end the game. It was Cordero's fifth save of the season.

[mavsfanforever]

btw, Rangers have the current longest winning streak in baseball with 5 wins but are now going into Lion's Den starting tomorrow.

They have to face wells, Clemens.