Well, that was a bang-up way to start off what we are hoping is the division-clinching series against the A's. The Rangers were one-hit by Dallas Braden and Brad Ziegler, and fell, 5-0. They've scored 7 runs in their last 5 games.
Anthony Andro's game story talks about the offensive slump that has resulted in the Rangers' magic number descending much more slowly than had been hoped.
T.R. Sullivan's game story has quotes from Michael Young, whom he said "snapped" responses about not wanting to waste his time thinking about the Rangers slump and the Rangers just needing to hit better.
Evan Grant says that the Rangers' first base situation is still unsettled with the playoffs less than two weeks away. Grant suggests that Chris Davis could end up displacing the slumping Mitch Moreland or the awful-since-being-acquired Jorge Cantu as one of the team's post-season first base options.
Darren O'Day is available again after being sidelined by back problems that, he says, were caused by his side-arming delivery.
Sullivan has an update on Josh Hamilton's status, and talks about Taylor Teagarden getting the start yesterday, only his second since being called up in the September roster expansion.
Jeff Wilson writes that Neftali Feliz has had a special rookie season as the Rangers' closer.
Sullivan has a piece on the top 10 series in Rangers history.
Gil Lebreton has a column on the Rangers' slow march towards clinching the division.