Saturday morning Rangers stuff

Nice win yesterday, though the Ranger offense decided to wait until a little later in the game than is preferable to kick into gear.

Oakland also won, so Texas is still tied with them for first place.  Tampa lost, so Texas is a game back of the Rays for the #1 Wild Card spot.

Drew Davison's game story talks about the Ranger offense taking advantage of the shaky Houston bullpen after being stymied by Erik Bedard for much of the game.

T.R. Sullivan's game story discusses the Ranger offense getting hot lately, with Ron Washington saying it is due to the team getting production all up and down the lineup, rather than looking at one or two hitters to carry them.

Todd Wills has his Rapid Reaction at the ESPN Dallas blog.

Evan Grant writes that this offense has been creative of late in finding ways to score runs.

Davison has a story on the Alex Rios trade, with quotes from Jon Daniels and two Rangers who are former teammates of Rios, Jason Frasor and A.J. Pierzynski.

Sullivan has a story on the Rios trade, with quotes from Rios about the deal being "refreshing," and all the trade rumors having been a distraction.

Anthony Andro also has a story on the Rios trade.

Richard Justice has a column praising Jon Daniels for the two big trades he has made in the second half of the season, and praising him for building a farm system with the depth to allow them to make those deals.

Wills also has a story praising the Ranger front office, saying not to underestimate what this group can do.

Gerry Fraley writes that scouts question Alex Rios's #want.

You know how Adam Rosales was DFA'd by the A's, claimed on waivers by the Rangers, DFA'd by the Rangers three days later, then claimed by the A's the day before yesterday, after Alberto Callaspo's injury led to concerns that they were going to be short an infielder?

Well, Callaspo is fine, so Rosales has been DFA'd by Oakland again this morning to make room for today's starting pitcher, Sonny Gray.

The S-T's notes talk about David Murphy trying not think about impending free agency and how the Alex Rios acquisition will impact his playing time, Lance Berkman starting a rehab assignment today, and Matt Harrison leaving yesterday's rehab start with numbness in his hand.

Sullivan's notes hit on Murphy's future with the Rangers, Berkman's rehab assignment, Harrison's departure, Frasor and Pierzynski being reunited with Rios, and Joey Butler getting his first start.