ANAHEIM -- The Rangers' 12-game winning streak has caught national attention, but it is also being pointed out who they have been playing. The first 11 wins came against the Orioles, Athletics and Mariners, teams with three of the four worst records in the American League. "All the other clubs -- Boston, New York -- they're playing the same teams," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "Did they sweep them? Cubs Starlin Castro Jersey I don't know. But when you're playing good baseball, it doesn't matter. If you want the opportunity to play in the postseason, you've got to play well in the division. "I'll take the way we're playing baseball. If we play that way against Mets Johan Santana Jersey anybody, we'll beat them. Maybe not 12 in a row, but we'll beat them." The Rangers have pitched well in this stretch, especially against the Mariners and Athletics. Those two are last in the AL in hitting and runs scored. But the Rangers are also hitting .321 with a .549 slugging percentage and 6.4 runs per game during the streak. Their three division foes may be struggling offensively, but they remain the top three in the league in team ERA. The Cubs Alfonso Soriano Jersey Rangers have also committed just three errors during the streak. Quality of opposition rarely has something to do with how well a team is playing defense. "If we play good baseball, we're going to win more than we lose," Washington said. "If we lose playing good baseball, that means the other team played better than we did. I can live with that. Authentic Johan Santana Jersey I just want us to play good baseball."                                              Rangers rest Cruz as Murphy gets in lineup                ANAHEIM -- Nelson Cruz was out of the Rangers' lineup on Wednesday night. Manager Ron Washington thought Cruz could use a rest, and this gave him a chance to get David Murphy in the lineup. Cruz was hitting .167 with just one home run and four RBIs in his last 10 games while Murphy started just once in the first five games after the All-Star break. "I don't Twins Michael Cuddyer Jersey think I'd ever pull Cruz out of the lineup because of performance because one swing of the bat can give us some runs," Washington said. "I just wanted to give him a rest. I feel like he needs it." Prior to this skid, Cruz went through a 16-game stretch in which he hit .343 with eight doubles, a triple, five home runs and 18 RBIs as well as a .716 slugging percentage. "He's a streaky hitter, but there are times he is consistent," Washington said. "Right now he is experiencing a little adversity, but it will make him a better player." This was only the sixth start for Murphy Authentic Michael Cuddyer Jersey since he played three in a row against the Mets on June 24-26. He is hitting .389 (7-for-18) for the Alfonso Soriano Jersey month of July, but his playing time has been sporadic with the platoon of Endy Chavez and Craig Gentry working so well in center field. But Murphy insists the sporadic playing time is not bothering him. "It's been awesome," he said. "We've won 12 in a row. How could it not be awesome? I feel like I have always had a team-first mentality. I want to be on the field as much as possible, but regardless of whether I'm playing or not, we're winning games. "It's more challenging. It's not like I've never dealt with this before but is as sporadic as my playing time has been. So when you get your work in during batting practice Authentic Starlin Castro Jersey or the games, you really have to focus. Other than that my body feels great when I get on the field."                                              Blanco healing slower than Rangers expected                ANAHEIM -- Rangers shortstop Andres Blanco, sidelined with a stress reaction in his back, is eligible to come off the disabled list on Friday. That's not going to happen. Blanco has still not taken meaningful batting practice since being placed on the disabled list. The Rangers thought it might happen in Seattle, and it did not. He also hasn't been able to go full bore with the bat in Anaheim. He is hoping to be able to take live batting practice this weekend when the team returns to Arlington. "I feel like it's still there," Blanco said. "It's taken a little while more than I thought. I'm working every day, but it's kind of frustrating ... 10-20 minutes and I'm done for the Johan Santana Jersey day." Omar Quintanilla was called up from Triple-A Round Rock to replace Blanco as the backup shortstop but hasn't yet played. With the All-Star break and the day off on Monday, manager Ron Starlin Castro Jersey Washington hasn't seen a need to sit Elvis Andrus.                                              Oliver hopes extended rest keeps him strong                ANAHEIM -- Reliever Darren Oliver took over for Alexi Ogando in the ninth inning on Tuesday and retired the side in order. It was the first time he has been on the mound in 10 days as the Rangers' fantastic run of starting pitching has reduced the workload of everybody in the Authentic Alfonso Soriano Jersey bullpen. The Rangers hope a reduced workload benefits Oliver. Last season he had 39 appearances and 39 innings before the All-Star break. This season he had 36 appearances and 33 innings. This difference may be negligible, but the difference between before and after the All-Star break last season was not. He had a 1.36 ERA before the break and a 4.50 ERA after. One of the reasons why the Rangers signed Arthur Rhodes this offseason was to reduce Oliver's workload. "I still felt pretty good last year," Oliver said. "It definitely helps getting the extra rest."                                              Worth noting                • Manager Ron Washington said he still plans on catching Mike Napoli on Thursday afternoon. Yorvit Torrealba started on Wednesday night. • Adrian Beltre hit his 20th home run on Michael Cuddyer Jersey Tuesday night. Nelson Cruz has 21, and the Rangers are only one of three teams with two 20-home run bats in the lineup. The others are Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson with the Yankees and Lance Berkman and Albert Pujols with the Cardinals. • The Rangers entered Wednesday's game having allowed two runs in six games. The only other team to do that over a six-game stretch was the 1974 Baltimore Orioles. They won, 7-1, on Sept. 1, then pitched five straight shutouts before winning, 3-2, on Sept. 7.

DETROIT -- Charlie Furbush Rangers Josh Hamilton Jersey made it back to the big leagues Authentic Ike Davis Jersey Wednesday in time for the Tigers' Christmas in July promotion. His first task back in a Major League uniform was to catch the ceremonial first pitch from Santa Claus, who practically spiked the ball in the infield on its way to the plate in 95-degree weather at Comerica Park.It wasn't the job Furbush was envisioning when he was an option for Detroit's fifth-starter spot a few days ago. Fortunately, he got to return to his relief role after that. He was warming up in the Authentic Justin Morneau Jersey fourth inning."Whatever they want me Twins Justin Morneau Jersey to do, I'll do," Furbush said before the Santa part of his job.For now, manager Jim Leyland is avoiding the long-term answer to that question. A few weeks ago, before putting Furbush in the rotation for two starts, Authentic Matt Garza Jersey Leyland said he wasn't sure which role fit Furbush best for his career. Before that, Leyland had said he felt Furbush's best shot was in relief.All that concerns Leyland now is Mets Ike Davis Jersey what Furbush Josh Hamilton Jersey can bring to the bullpen, from long relief to lefty specialist situations to the occasional need for a ground ball. That's why the Tigers brought him back, even after deciding on Duane Below as their starter for Wednesday."He's really pretty versatile out there," Leyland said Wednesday afternoon. Justin Morneau Jersey "He can give us innings as a long lefty, and he can also, if I need to give [Phil] Coke or [David] Purcey off a night, he can also pitch Matt Garza Jersey to a left-handed hitter late in a game, so he gives us some versatility."As Cubs Matt Garza Jersey for Authentic Josh Hamilton Jersey the longer-term implications, Leyland will deal with that later."I don't Ike Davis Jersey really know the answer to that," Leyland said. "I think that we're trying to win. That's what I think this all boils down to. We're trying to win right now, and there's time for that down the road. That's not of that much importance right now. It's not like we're messing with somebody's career. I'm sure Charlie's glad to be up here in the bullpen at this time."

DETROIT -- Authentic Kosuke Fukudome Jersey Half of Oakland's infield was sidelined by injury for Kosuke Fukudome Jersey the start of Wednesday's series finale in Detroit, but Scott Sizemore made good on manager Bob Melvin's hope of its return by Friday when he entered the game in the ninth as a defensive replacement at third base."He was good enough to play defense for an inning," Melvin said. "I was hoping Authentic Lan Kinsler Jersey we didn't get into a tied game again where he had to hit, but he came to me and said he could do it, so credit to him."Sizemore took a fastball to his left jaw and neck area Twins Joe Mauer Jersey in the fourth inning on Tuesday and was Mets David Wright Jersey still stiff on Wednesday. He noted there was hardly any swelling, though an outline of the baseball could partially be seen.Conor Jackson played Authentic Joe Mauer Jersey the first eight innings at third, while Eric Sogard started at second base in place of Jemile Weeks, who was battling a sore right foot after fouling a ball off his inset in the third inning Tuesday. He underwent X-rays following the game that proved negative.Weeks, who had started 36 consecutive games at second base since his June 7 promotion, said Wednesday afternoon he'd be available off a depleted bench in an emergency situation, but he was never needed in the A's 7-5 win."We want to make sure it's healthy enough for me to get out there and be effective," he said. "Everybody plays through something and it's no big deal. At this point it's making sure my foot is Authentic David Wright Jersey good today and giving it the rest it needs."                                              Powell, Sogard part of makeshift A's infield                DETROIT -- Injuries to regulars Scott Sizemore and Jemile Weeks forced A's manager Bob Melvin to again shuffle his ever-changing lineup on Wednesday.Jackson received just the second start of his career at third base with Sizemore out of the mix, with Landon Powell manning the other Lan Kinsler Jersey corner and Eric Sogard to his right at second base in the injured Jemile Weeks' place.Powell made four starts at first in 2009 and entered the day with seven total appearances at the position under his belt in his pro career. "I played there some growing up," Powell said. "It's definitely not my first position, but I'll be able to go out there and get the job done and help the team. I've been taking balls over there just to stay fresh in case a day like today happened where we were two infielders down and I had to go over there." "You can never have too many catchers in the lineup is the way I look at it," Melvin joked. "He'll be all right. He takes ground balls there every day and has played some there before. Typically, there are a couple games Rangers Lan Kinsler Jersey during the season when you're sometimes in this position."Sogard, meanwhile, is a natural second baseman, despite having made just one Joe Mauer Jersey other start there in his Major League career. He started 95 games at second base for Triple-A Sacramento in 2010 before strictly playing shortstop for the River Cats prior to his callup this season -- the majority of his time spent beside Weeks."He's fine over there," Weeks said. "I know his roots are at second base, and he's a complete player. We're not losing anything by having him in the lineup."                                              Rookie reliever De Los Santos turning heads                DETROIT -- A's reliever Fautino De Los Santos has recently made it rather easy for manager Bob Melvin to seek positives during a roller-coaster stretch that has left his club nearly 15 games below the .500 mark.Entering Wednesday, De Los Santos had allowed just one run with six strikeouts in six innings since being recalled from David Wright Jersey Triple-A Sacramento on July 1 for his third big league stint of the season.Overall, he's averaging 11.88 strikeouts per nine innings after compiling a combined 36 in 29 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. De Los Santos garnered two on Tuesday night in a clean 1 2/3-inning performance against the Tigers. "I thought he was really good [Tuesday]," Melvin said. "One thing you want to do typically for a youngster like that is give him regular work, and in a long role that's not easy to do."So to come in last night, having not pitched much, I thought his command was good, and that's the issue you usually have with a guy that's a hard thrower, a guy who doesn't go on a regular basis. He pitched beautifully for us."The 25-year-old righty could command a more significant role Cubs Kosuke Fukudome Jersey if the A's deal any reliever before the July 31 Trade Deadline. Brian Fuentes, Craig Breslow and Grant Balfour are all strong trade candidates.                                              Worth noting                • Rehabbing hurler Tyson Ross (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday in Sacramento. Barring any setbacks, the right-hander will likely make a rehab start sometime next week.

MIAMI -- With 27 saves, Marlins closer Leo Nunez was tied with San Diego's Heath Bell for the fourth most in the Majors entering Wednesday's game between the two teams. All of Nunez's saves have come the conventional way, by working inning or less. If the opportunity presents itself, though, manager Jack McKeon would be willing to use Nunez for more than three outs. Before McKeon became manager, Nunez commonly would open the inning in save chances. Now, McKeon will use the right-hander whenever he feels it's necessary."Man on base, what's the difference?" McKeon said. "People are like, 'You want him to come in and start the inning.' Hey, if you have a chance to win the game, and he's your best guy, get him in. "I've brought closers in the seventh inning. That's the ballgame? What, do I have to wait until I get a lead? If you're in a jam and you've got a chance to get out of this jam, what's the difference?"A few days ago, McKeon had his closer warming up in the eighth, but didn't get him in the game."The mentality has gotten to the point now where this guy has got to close in the ninth inning, when you've got the lead," McKeon said. "I had him ready to come in the other night. He's never gone more than Mets Carlos Beltran Jersey one inning, well he's going to start going more than one inning. We're going to put him through the test."On days when Nunez isn't available to close, McKeon said Edward Mujica would likely get the nod in save situations. Down the road, the manager also feels rookie Steve Cishek has the makings to be a closer.                                              Bonifacio in midst of torrid run at the plate                MIAMI -- Putting the ball in play is a big reason why Authentic Denard Span Jersey Emilio Bonifacio has been in an incredible groove at the plate of late.On Wednesday, the Marlins' speedy Twins Denard Span Jersey leadoff hitter extended his hitting streak to 19 games with a fifth-inning single, which Authentic Carlos Beltran Jersey served as the lone bright spot in a 14-3 loss to the Padres.  The 19-game run is currently the longest in Cubs Carlos Zambrano Jersey the Authentic Carlos Zambrano Jersey Majors.A switch-hitter, Bonifacio is developing into an everyday player. Speed is his biggest asset, and he has been taking advantage of it by making steady contact. Manager Jack McKeon isn't putting too much in Bonifacio's head right now, because he doesn't want to disrupt him when everything is working."That's the thing you're trying to impress upon him," McKeon said. "With two strikes, you've got to choke up and put the ball in play. You can't take that big swing."The way Bonifacio is hitting reminds McKeon of when Luis Castillo was with the organization. Castillo was a threat at the top of the order during the Marlins' 2003 championship season."Now, [Bonifacio] is doing like Louie used to do," McKeon said. "Loop one over third. Loop one over second. Get a bouncer and run. It's just going to take a little time."During his hitting streak, Bonifacio is effectively putting the ball on the ground. In fact, from June 28 through Wednesday, he was tied with Minnesota's Ben Revere for the highest ground-ball rate (85.7 percent) in baseball. "He's doing real well," McKeon said. "You don't want to give him too much right now. Perfect what you're doing, and we'll add."                                              Webb throwing, but no timetable for return                MIAMI -- While Ryan Webb continued with his throwing program by playing catch Wednesday, the right-hander has not been told a date for when he can once again throw off a mound."Waiting for them to tell me what to do," Webb said. "I have no idea. They haven't really told me anything further than playing catch till Friday."The 25-year-old went on the 15-day disabled list July 2, retroactive June 27, with right shoulder inflammation. Webb dealt with tightness for more than a week after pitching June 19 in Tampa. An MRI revealed mild inflammation.When the team was in Seattle June 24-26, Webb threw a pain-free side session Carlos Beltran Jersey before pitching in the final game of the series, going two-thirds of an inning while issuing an intentional walk and allowing no runs. "I guess they're trying to take it slow. We kind of rushed back last time and I had something else flare back up. I think it was just a matter of not having the strength I had out of Spring Training," Webb said. "I Michael Young Jersey kind of threw through [an injury], and I think that kind of flared up some other spots on me, so that's what we're trying to do, get those spots strengthened and get back to throwing again."On the season, Webb is 1-4 with a 3.67 ERA over 34 1/3 innings. He was part of the trade that sent Cameron Maybin to the Padres and brought Authentic Michael Young Jersey Edward Mujica to the Marlins.Before batting practice on Wednesday, Webb was running through the stands as part of his conditioning."I'm trying to take the opportunity that I've got to do a little bit more working out, getting in shape, stuff like that," Webb said. Carlos Zambrano Jersey "Try not to waste time sitting on the DL and being lazy, taking the opportunity to get out there a little bit harder and Denard Span Jersey come back in better shape than I was."                                              Worth noting                • After his two hits in New York on Monday, Hanley Ramirez has 1,007 for his career, which pushed him past Jeff Conine for second place in franchise history. • Entering Wednesday, the Marlins had gone 13-5 over their last 18 games, which was tied with the Red Sox for Rangers Michael Young Jersey the second-most wins in the Majors during that span.

NEW YORK -- Right-hander Bobby Parnell demonstrated an impressive ability to work his way out of a jam Tuesday night, Carlos Pena Jersey an important skill if he eventually takes on closing duties for the Mets.One night later, Cubs Ryne Sandberg Jersey he showed during a 6-5 win that he's still a work in progress.With the Mets leading on Monday, 4-2, Parnell gave up a leadoff single to start the eighth, then hit Skip Schumaker with a pitch. After striking out Ryan Theriot, Parnell Rangers Nelson Cruz Jersey got himself into even more trouble, giving up a ground-ball single to Jon Jay to load the bases for Albert Pujols.It was Authentic Nelson Cruz Jersey then that Parnell forced the mighty Pujols to ground into a double play to escape the inning unscathed."I thought it was a big step for Bobby," Collins said. "I sensed an increase in focus, an increase in intensity, 'Hey look, I've got to get out of this' which is the same mentality you have to have when you walk out there to start the ninth inning, not until when there's two guys on." Parnell got ahead of Pujols with a fastball for a called strike before Pujols fouled off a pair of fastballs that reached 100 mph on the scoreboard radar gun. Parnell then got the double play with his slider, a pitch he has been working to improve."I'm sorry, Albert Pujols is the greatest hitter in the game, but you've got to speed up to get to something like that," Collins said. "The minute those guys know that they've got to speed up, the breaking balls can be a devastating pitch for you, and [Parnell] showed it when he Authentic Jose Reyes Jersey commands it."Parnell repeated his high-wire act on Tuesday when he entered a 4-4 game to start the eighth inning. He allowed Matt Holliday to single, then Holliday advanced to second on Lance Berkman's flyout. Holliday advanced to third on a groundout, and Parnell intentionally walked Colby Rasmus. Veteran catcher Gerald Laird dropped down a perfect bunt that rolled to third baseman Daniel Murphy to score Holliday and giving the Cardinals a temporary lead. "We tried to have Murph come in and kind of get the runner back a little bit because we know that he's had a history of some bunts," Collins said. "But he's only bunted once this year, so we thought ... yeah, he caught us off guard."  Parnell was charged with a run but rebounded to strike out Daniel Descalso to end the frame. The Mets rallied in the bottom half of the inning to take Parnell off the hook, and Angel Pagan walked off in the 10th inning.                                              Proud Cubs Carlos Pena Jersey papa Thole drives in tying run                NEW YORK -- Josh Thole returned to the Mets for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals after a one-day absence for paternity leave and capped the Mets' second rally with the game-tying hit. Thole's first child, Camden, was born Tuesday night, weighing in at 7 pounds, 12 ounces. Thole was relieved to be able to Ryne Sandberg Jersey be with his wife, Kathryn, for Authentic Carlos Pena Jersey the special occasion. One night later, he finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs in a 6-5 win over the Cardinals."I'm gasping for air a little bit," Thole said. "It's part of the business, and I've got a little baby, so it's going to be like this from here on out."Thole's single in the eighth inning scored Angel Pagan, who later hit the walk-off homer, to pull the teams even at 5. Thole also drove in Lucas Duda in the third inning."I don't know when it will all settle in, maybe when we get down to Florida [for the Mets' next series]," Thole said. "It was exciting tonight."Thole caught knuckleballer R.A. Dickey for 6 1/3 innings, something he said before the game would be easy compared to what his wife endured."After watching what my wife went through yesterday," Thole said, "no medication, nothing like that, I thought catching the knuckleball should be a piece of cake compared to what she went through."                                              Collins will be cautious with Reyes' workload                NEW YORK -- Terry Collins knows how valuable Jose Reyes is to the Mets, and he's making sure to keep a close eye on him now that the shortstop is back in action.Collins said Wednesday that the mid-July heat might cause him to give Reyes a day off down the road. Prior to returning Tuesday, Reyes had missed 12 games with a strained left hamstring, which forced him to the disabled list on July 2. Jose Reyes Jersey Reyes was hitless in five at-bats on Wednesday in a 6-5 win over the Cardinals, making him 2-for-10 since his return."We'll assess it every night, every day," Collins said. "Obviously, last night, he was somewhat cautious. He Mets Jose Reyes Jersey came out of Authentic Ryne Sandberg Jersey the game feeling 100 percent, which Nelson Cruz Jersey was all I cared about. I told him, 'It will come back as time goes on.'"One reason the Mets may be exercising caution with Reyes: They plan to keep him for the rest of the season. The club is now certain that it will not trade the All-Star shortstop, according to a report by ESPN published on Tuesday. Reyes is scheduled to be a free agent when the season concludes.Collins targeted Sunday's game in Florida as one he might give Reyes off due to the heat and the fact that it is a day game after a night game.

ST. PETERSBURG -- After turning in an impressive bullpen session of about 65 pitches Monday, Wade Davis will return to Tampa Bay's starting rotation Friday Authentic Ryne Sandberg Jersey against the Royals.Davis was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 7 with a right forearm strain, but his rehabilitation program has gone well enough for the right-hander to take the mound on his first Rangers Nelson Cruz Jersey day off the DL."Davis threw a really good 'pen the other day," manager Joe Maddon said. "That's why we wanted to pop him Authentic Carlos Pena Jersey in Friday."His return will push Jeff Niemann's start to Saturday, and Alex Cobb Authentic Jose Reyes Jersey will stay in the rotation to close out Tampa Bay's series with Kansas City on Sunday.Cobb's start Authentic Josh Hamilton Jersey will give rookie Jeremy Hellickson, who is slated to start Monday against Oakland, an extra day of rest. Maddon said that was the thinking Authentic Lan Kinsler Jersey behind keeping Cobb in the Majors.With Cobb still in the fold and Davis making his return, Lan Kinsler Jersey the Rays will carry a six-man rotation with them on their upcoming road trip -- something that isn't necessarily temporary."[A six-man rotation] is still up in the air," Maddon said. "It's something that could happen."                                              Rays to try to give Peralta a break                ST. PETERSBURG -- Joel Peralta is starting to feel the effects of a heavy workload. Peralta has made 47 appearances out of Tampa Bay's bullpen this season -- the most in the American League -- and is Authentic Matt Garza Jersey eighth Authentic Michael Young Jersey among AL relievers with 43 2/3 innings pitched."[My arm is] a little bit tired," Rangers Michael Young Jersey he said. "[The coaching staff] already talked to me, and they are going to give me some rest -- a couple days, at least. Leading the league [in relief appearances] is not one of my goals."It has been an especially busy time for Peralta since the All-Star break. Entering Wednesday's game, the reliever had pitched in four of the five games since the break -- a number that has been impacted by a depleted Rays bullpen."We've been trying to [rest Peralta], but these last couple of days have made it more difficult," manager Joe Maddon said. "But we want to back off him a bit."Peralta admitted that his tired right arm is hurting his control on the mound. The numbers back it up, too. He sported a 2.82 ERA over his Authentic Carlos Zambrano Jersey first 20 outings of the season, but that number has ballooned to 5.06 over his past 26 appearances.To combat Peralta's fatigue, the Rays have shortened his throwing program between outings. But Maddon suggested that additional measures are going to be needed to preserve Peralta's arm."We'll try to give him a little more rest, and only try to utilize him in the Authentic Nelson Cruz Jersey moments that we absolutely need him," Maddon said.                                              Joyce returns to starting lineup, right field                ST. PETERSBURG -- Matt Joyce was back in Tampa Bay's lineup Wednesday for Authentic Denard Span Jersey the first time since fouling a ball off his right knee Nelson Cruz Jersey Saturday.The Rays outfielder made pinch-hit appearances on Sunday and Joe Mauer Jersey Tuesday, even playing in the outfield for two innings Tuesday. Although Joyce said he probably could have returned earlier, the training staff wanted to take a cautious approach with his sore right knee."It's feeling a lot better," Joyce said. "The last couple of Twins Joe Mauer Jersey days, it has been swollen. But they just didn't want it to blow up on me, and then Authentic Joe Mauer Jersey me miss another three or four days."Joyce Authentic Alfonso Soriano Jersey was hitting fifth in Wednesday's lineup and playing right field.                                              Extra bases                • Manager Joe Maddon said Ben Zobrist (calf) is available to pinch-hit Wednesday.• On Tuesday, Rays pitcher Jeremy Hellickson Authentic David Wright Jersey became the first rookie to record a win against the Yankees this season.• Tuesday marked Tampa Bay's 16th come-from-behind victory this year.