Texas Rangers Increase Wild-Card Lead

The red-hot Texas Rangers increased their wild-card lead to a full game over the Boston Red Sox Monday night by beating the Minnesota Twins 8-5.

Here are a few things that stuck out to me during this game:

(1) Hank Blalock continues to struggle.
Rangers' first baseman Hank Blalock continues to struggle at the plate. Tonight he went 0-3 with a sacrifice fly to bring in a run. Blalock's batting average is now below .239, and he is 0 for his last 16. Blalock has always been a streaky hitter, but with the Rangers vying for a playoff spot, his ABs are extremely important during this part of the year. Luckily, Josh Hamilton's bat has come alive to help disguise Blalock's woes.

(2) Hamilton's getting back into the swing of things.
Rangers' outfielder Josh Hamilton has seemed to put his recent embarrassment behind him, and continues to swing the bat well. Hamilton has increased his batting average to .267 by going 15 for his last 28. Although Hamilton is making consistent contact, his power is still lacking as he's only hit one HR in his last ten games.

(3) Frank Francisco proves doubters wrong.
Relief pitcher Frank Francisco continues to show that last week's six run top of the ninth against the Red Sox was a fluke. Tonight he pitched a strong 1-2-3 ninth inning to get the save for the Rangers. This is the type of pitching the Rangers need from Francisco to contend against the powers of the A.L.

(4) Ron Washington's lineup change.
Rangers' manager Ron Washington used a new lineup for tonight's game against Twins left hander hurler Francisco Liriano. Ian Kinsler was the lead off hitter instead of newcomer Julio Borbon, who was pivotal in the Red Sox series. Hamilton was moved from the bottom of the lineup against the Red Sox, to third in tonight's lineup. Will Washington add Borbon to the lineup tomorrow against righty Carl Pavano? I'm hoping he will, because Borbon is one heck of an exciting young player who really led the Rangers in their series win against Boston. He deserves to be back.