Rangers Notes: Sweep of Rays Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive

Second baseman Rougned Odor turns a double play over Tampa Bay’s Kevin Kiermaier during the fourth inning Sunday at Globe Life Park.

A weekend sweep over Tampa Bay propelled the Rangers to a winning homestand and helped Texas remain one of the many teams in contention for two A.L. Wild Card spots.

Delino DeShields hit his first major-league home run in Friday’s series opener, a towering drive down the left-field line that tied the ballgame at 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh.

One inning later, the Rangers went ahead with two runs off Jake McGee before closer Shawn Tolleson tossed a scoreless ninth for his 22nd save of the year.

Colby Lewis was the beneficiary of a seven-run outburst by Texas in the sixth inning on Saturday, once again garnering generous offensive support and improving his season record to 13-5 in the victory.

The Rangers had already scored four times in the bottom of the sixth when Adrian Beltre batted with two on and one out, and he clubbed his 10th home run of the year off Kirby Yates to put the game away.

Beltre homered again Sunday afternoon (on his own bobblehead giveaway day) to support Yovani Gallardo, who scattered 11 hits over five and one-third innings but limited the damage to three early runs.

Rookie outfielder Ryan Strausborger also connected for his first MLB home run in the 5-3 Texas victory, a solo shot off Rays starter Drew Smyly that hooked just inside the left-field foul pole.

Facing Seattle at Globe Life Park on Monday, Cole Hamels struck out eight batters and allowed three runs over seven innings pitched, and Beltre drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth to give Texas a 4-3 walk-off win.

The Mariners jumped on Chi Chi Gonzalez for three runs in the first inning Tuesday and held on for a 3-2 win, but the Rangers took Wednesday’s rubber game by a 7-2 final in Derek Holland’s return to the mound.

Holland pitched into the seventh and benefitted from a four-run frame by the Texas lineup, which hit three straight home runs (by Mitch Moreland, Mike Napoli and Elvis Andrus) off Seattle left-hander Joe Beimel.

With a current record of 61-58, the Rangers are 1.5 games behind the Wild Card-leading Blue Jays and just 4 games behind Houston in the A.L. West.

Venable Picked Up from Padres

With Josh Hamilton unavailable due to an ailing left knee, outfielder Will Venable was acquired from the San Diego Padres on Tuesday in exchange for minor-league catcher Marcus Greene and a player to be named later.

Venable, 32, had spent his entire career to this point with the Padres, setting personal highs in 2013 with a .268 batting average, 22 home runs and 51 RBIs. He has also shown speed on the base paths, averaging more than 20 steals per year over the past six seasons.

Outfielder Michael Choice was designated for assignment in order to create room on the 40-man roster for Venable.

(UPDATE: Hamilton was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, and right-hander Jon Edwards was announced as the second player heading to San Diego in the deal for Venable.)

Mazara Promoted to Replace Martin

Twenty-year-old outfielder Nomar Mazara was promoted from Double-A Frisco to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday to replace Leonys Martin, who has a broken bone in his right wrist and could miss the rest of the season.

In 111 games with the RoughRiders this year, Mazara collected 22 doubles, 13 home runs and 56 runs batted in, and he departs the Texas League tied for sixth in total bases (181) with former teammate Nick Williams.

Kansas City Signs Rodriguez

Left-hander Wandy Rodriguez was signed to a minor-league deal Sunday by the Kansas City Royals after being released by the Rangers earlier this month.

Rodriguez, a career National Leaguer before joining the Rangers in late April, went 6-4 with an earned run average of 4.90 across 15 starts for Texas.

Rangers Notes: Hamels Acquired in Eight-Player Deal

Cole Hamels pitched into the eighth inning but received a no-decision in his first Texas start on Saturday.

The Rangers reeled in the biggest catch of last week’s non-waiver trade deadline when they acquired starter Cole Hamels as part of an eight-player swap with Philadelphia.

The Phillies also sent relief pitcher Jake Diekman and cash to Texas in the deal, while the Rangers’ return package included Matt Harrison and five minor-leaguers – Jorge Alfaro, Alec Asher, Jerad Eickhoff, Jake Thompson and Nick Williams.

The trade, which was agreed to on Wednesday but not finalized until Friday, came only after Hamels used his limited no-trade clause to block a potential deal with the Astros.

“I have a lot of catching up to do,” Hamels said after joining his new team Friday, “but with this group of guys I think it’s going to be pretty easy because they’re true competitors, and it’s fun to watch them on the field and know that those are guys that are going to be behind me.”

A three-time National League All-Star, Hamels posted a career record of 114-90 with a 3.30 ERA across parts of 10 seasons for the Phillies, throwing a no-hitter on July 25 against the Cubs in his final start with Philadelphia.

Making his A.L. debut in a Texas uniform two nights ago, Hamels pitched into the eighth inning and was lifted with a 7-4 lead, but Tanner Scheppers allowed three consecutive run-scoring hits as San Francisco rallied to tie the game.

After a scoreless tenth inning, Hunter Pence and Brandon Belt each connected for solo home runs in the top of the eleventh to lead the Giants to a 9-7 comeback victory.

Although the Rangers’ bullpen faltered and denied Hamels a chance at a win in his first game with Texas, manager Jeff Banister was still pleased with the results put forth by the club’s new No. 1 starter.

“Given everything involved,” Banister said, “coming off the no-hitter, the volume of pitches he threw in the no-hitter, everything swirling around the trade and the travel getting here … I really felt like he threw the ball well.”

Following Hamels in the Rangers’ revamped rotation, left-hander Martin Perez delivered the best performance of his injury-shortened season on the way to a 2-1 win in Sunday’s rubber game. He retired the first 14 batters he faced before Brandon Belt and Justin Maxwell reached, respectively, on an error and an infield single in the top of the fifth.

Perez was pulled after allowing a one-out double to Angel Pagan in the ninth, and the Texas bullpen had to work around trouble before Hunter Pence grounded into a game-ending double play.

Dyson, Wilson Added to Roster

While the trade for Hamels grabbed most of the headlines, Texas also made a pair of under-the-radar moves Friday aimed at strengthening the team’s relief pitching and catching corps.

Right-hander Sam Dyson was acquired from Miami in exchange for backstop Tomas Telis and minor-league lefty Cody Ege, and veteran catcher Bobby Wilson was picked up on a waiver claim from Tampa Bay.

Dyson, 27, was activated Saturday and made back-to-back appearances against the Giants, including a scoreless outing Sunday in which he earned his first career save. The 32-year-old Wilson, meanwhile, had two hits and caught all 11 innings in his Texas debut on Saturday.

Shoulder Strain Sends Chirinos to DL

Both of the Rangers’ Opening Day catchers are now on the disabled list after Robinson Chirinos was placed on the 15-day DL Saturday (retroactive to Friday) with a strained left shoulder.

Backup catcher Carlos Corporan has also been on the disabled list since mid-July with a sprain in his left thumb, leaving the ballclub’s pitch-calling duties to Chris Gimenez – who had his contract purchased Friday from Triple-A Round Rock – and Bobby Wilson.

In other roster moves, both Wandy Rodriguez and Ross Ohlendorf were designated for assignment by Texas over the past week, and Ohlendorf was placed on unconditional release waivers on Friday.

In the bullpen, late-inning reliever Keone Kela was optioned to Double-A Frisco Saturday in an effort to limit his workload. Kela had averaged a total of 44 innings pitched in each of the past two seasons in the minors, and he has already thrown 43 and two-thirds innings for the Rangers this year.

Rangers Notes: ‘Stros Slaughter Texas at Minute Maid

Manager Jeff Banister goes to the mound to make a pitching change during the Rangers’ 10-0 defeat to the Astros Sunday in Houston.

Following a 7-6 victory Saturday that featured a benches-clearing scuffle and seemed to ignite a fire under the team, Texas received a harsh dose of solid pitching by All-Star starter Dallas Keuchel in a 10-0 loss to the Astros on Sunday.

Keuchel set a new career high with 13 strikeouts over seven innings of work and improved his season record to 12-4. While Houston stranded 10 runners on base in the ballgame, it was also able to push 10 across the plate against Yovani Gallardo and Anthony Ranaudo.

Third baseman Luis Valbuena drove in four runs for the Astros, and outfielders Colby Rasmus and Preston Tucker each added a two-run homer in the blowout.

On Saturday, Texas rode a quality start from Colby Lewis to a 7-6 win at Minute Maid Park, although the bullpen left much to be desired in allowing four runs over the final two innings.

Rougned Odor provided Lewis with an early advantage­­­ when he connected for a two-run homer off former Ranger Scott Feldman in the top of the third.

The Texas lead would grow to 5-1 before Houston scored three runs in the eighth, the first of which came home on an RBI double into left-center field by Jose Altuve. Marwin Gonzalez appeared to be tagged out by catcher Robinson Chirinos on a close play at the plate, but Tony Randazzo’s safe call was upheld after the Rangers issued a challenge.

In the top of the ninth, Astros catcher Hank Conger took exception to the amount of time Rougned Odor was taking to get into the batter’s box for his plate appearance, and words were exchanged between the two before both benches emptied.

Texas manager Jeff Banister was visibly upset with Houston skipper A.J. Hinch during the mild quarrel, and he said after the game that “our guys are not going to be pushed around.”

Conger would hit a two-run shot off Shawn Tolleson with no outs in the bottom of the inning, but Tolleson was able to retire the next three batters to nail down the 7-6 win for Texas.

Prior to last week’s All-Star Game at Great American Ballpark, the Rangers had dropped four out of five games against N.L. West division opponents Arizona and San Diego.

In the midsummer classic, designated hitter Prince Fielder went 1-for-1 with an RBI single and a run-scoring sacrifice fly as part of the American League’s 6-3 victory over the National League.

Feliz Signed by Tigers; Detwiler to Braves

Former closer Neftali Feliz cleared waivers and was granted free agency after being designated for assignment earlier this month, and he was picked up by Detroit to join its depleted bullpen on Jul. 11.

Left-hander Ross Detwiler, meanwhile, was DFA’d and released by Texas before signing a deal with the Atlanta Braves on Friday. Detwiler began the season as a starter but was moved to the bullpen after going 0-5 with a 6.95 ERA over his first seven starts.

His spot on the active roster was taken by right-handed reliever Roman Mendez, who was then sent back to Triple-A Round Rock when lefty Martin Perez was activated from the 60-day disabled list.

Catcher Carlos Corporan was placed on the 15-day DL Friday (retroactive to Jul. 13) with a sprained left thumb, an injury he had been dealing with for weeks but aggravated while taking batting practice against Matt Harrison.

Twenty-four-year-old Tomas Telis was recalled from Round Rock to take Corporan’s spot on the active roster.

Rangers Could Pursue Hamels

Left-handed starter Cole Hamels is one of the top names expected to be moved before the Jul. 31 non-waiver trade deadline, and Texas – despite its lackluster showing in the standings – is among the teams considered a potential suitor.

While Hamels, 31, would instantly bolster the top of the rotation, he will also command a steep asking price as far as a return package. Infielder Joey Gallo is considered to be off-limits, but catcher Jorge Alfaro or outfielder Nomar Mazara could be included as part of a deal with Philadelphia.

If Texas ends up as a seller instead of a buyer at the deadline, starting pitchers Yovani Gallardo, Colby Lewis and Wandy Rodriguez would all be viable options to get traded.

Rangers Notes: Former All-Star Feliz Designated for Assignment

Neftali Feliz racked up 72 regular-season saves as the Rangers’ closer between 2010 and ’11.

Right-handed pitcher Neftali Feliz was designated for assignment before last Saturday’s 13-0 loss to the Angels at Globe Life Park, a move that was necessitated when Texas needed to clear a roster spot for the return of Matt Harrison.

The move came just two days after Feliz himself had been activated from the disabled list due to an abscess on his right side. He threw two scoreless innings Friday in his return, but his ERA this year (4.58) was more than two runs higher than his career average heading into the season (2.53).

Feliz, 27, was acquired as part of the trade that sent Mark Teixeira to Atlanta in July 2007, and he rose quickly through the Rangers’ minor-league ranks.

Following stints with Spokane, Clinton, Frisco and Oklahoma City, he made his MLB debut in August ’09 and emerged as one of the top relievers in baseball.

During Texas’ back-to-back World Series appearances in 2010 and ’11, Feliz saved a total of 72 games in the regular season and another seven in the postseason.

He began to have arm troubles, however, when the club moved him into the starting rotation for the 2012 campaign, and he ultimately underwent reconstructive Tommy John surgery on his elbow that August.

“When he had the surgery he wasn’t as electric as he was beforehand,” general manager Jon Daniels said of Feliz. “He had an unbelievable easy arm in how he went after it.

“And after [the surgery] … he came back strong and was good again, but not at the same level. That’s where we are.”

Feliz reclaimed his title as the Rangers’ closer last season and posted a 1.99 earned run average across 30 games, but he struggled in many of his appearances as the incumbent this year.

Manager Jeff Banister had embraced a “no roles” philosophy for the bullpen by mid-May, and Shawn Tolleson was officially named the Texas closer a month later.

“It’s a tough call mostly [because of] the fact that Neftali has been on the mound for probably the greatest moments in franchise history,” Daniels said. “The consistency at this point and the role on the team wasn’t a really clearly defined role for him.

“He’s going to pitch a while longer for sure. He’s healthy, strong and we’ll see what happens.”

Also on Saturday, Anthony Ranaudo was recalled from Triple-A while rookie Chi Chi Gonzalez was optioned back to Round Rock.

Starter Nick Martinez was optioned to Triple-A on Thursday when Feliz was re-instated from the DL, and infielder Joey Gallo was optioned last Tuesday when Josh Hamilton returned from the disabled list.

Before Sunday’s series finale against the Angels, outfielder Delino DeShields was activated from the 15-day DL while Hanser Alberto was sent to Round Rock.

Fielder to Represent Texas at Midsummer Classic

First baseman/designated hitter Prince Fielder was named the Rangers’ lone representative on the American League All-Star squad this week, winning the player vote and finishing behind Seattle’s Nelson Cruz in the fan voting.

Fielder will be making his sixth All-Star Game appearance and will also participate in the Home Run Derby on Monday at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.

The 31-year-old Fielder is the Texas club leader this season in batting average (.347), slugging percentage (.530), hits (110), doubles (19) and runs batted in (50). He will face Reds third baseman Todd Frazier in the first round of the newly-formatted Home Run Derby.

Halos Sail to Weekend Sweep in Arlington

The Rangers were outscored by a total of 25 runs (33-8) over the weekend in a three-game sweep at the hands of Los Angeles at Globe Life Park.

Chi Chi Gonzalez, Wandy Rodriguez and Colby Lewis were each hit hard in their starts against the Angels, combining to give up 21 earned runs over 10 and two-thirds innings of work.

Following a successful month of May and a respectable start to June, Texas has now lost 11 of its last 15 games to fall seven behind the division-leading Astros in the American League West.

Rangers Notes: A’s, Jays Wrap up Series Wins over Texas

Keone Kela (left) gets a visit from Robinson Chirinos and pitching coach Mike Maddux during Thursday’s 6-3 loss to Oakland.

Since reaching a season high of six games over .500 (36-30) on June 17, the Rangers have lost eight of their last ten ballgames to fall back into third place in the American League West.

Oakland rolled to a series sweep of Texas last week at Globe Life Park in Arlington, beginning with an 8-6 win on Tuesday that featured the first rough outing of Chi Chi Gonzalez’ young career.

Gonzalez allowed two runs over the first five innings but ran into more serious trouble in the sixth, giving up an RBI double to Ike Davis before Josh Phegley delivered a two-run, game-tying double to drive Gonzalez from the game.

Reliever Keone Kela surrendered another run-scoring double to Marcus Semien before getting out of the frame, then gave up a two-run homer to Ben Zobrist in the seventh inning that proved to be the difference in the game.

Left-hander Wandy Rodriguez was hit early and often in his start Wednesday against the Athletics, who cruised to an 8-2 blowout victory behind a first-inning grand slam from Brett Lawrie and two RBIs apiece from Josh Phegley and Stephen Vogt.

Colby Lewis turned in a quality start Thursday but could not protect a pair of brief leads given to him by the Texas lineup. And the Rangers bullpen was once again shaky in a 6-3 defeat as Kela and Sam Freeman combined to allow three runs in just two-thirds of an inning pitched.

Moving on to Rogers Centre in Toronto for a weekend series versus the Blue Jays, Texas was shelled in Friday’s opener by a 12-2 final. Backup infielder Adam Rosales tossed the ninth inning in mop-up duty and turned out to be the Rangers’ most effective pitcher of the night.

On Saturday, Yovani Gallardo was backed by solo home runs from Mitch Moreland, Robinson Chirinos and Rougned Odor en route to a 4-0 victory, but Texas batters on Sunday went just 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position as the Rangers dropped the rubber game, 3-2.

Beltre Returns Sooner than Expected

Despite making no rehab appearances after missing three weeks with a sprained left thumb, third baseman Adrian Beltre was activated from the 15-day disabled list last Tuesday, batting cleanup against Oakland and going 1-for-4 with an RBI in his return.

Right-handed pitcher Jon Edwards was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock in order to clear a spot for Beltre on the active roster.

Beltre had been placed on the DL on June 2, two days after he suffered the thumb sprain and laceration while sliding into second base trying to break up a double play against Boston.

“I don’t pretend to think he’s 100 percent,” Texas general manager Jon Daniels said of Beltre, “but whether we wait a week or have him go take a few at-bats on rehab, [the injury] was going to be there a while.”

Outfielder Michael Choice was recalled from Triple-A on Wednesday as left-hander Alex Claudio was optioned, although Choice returned to Round Rock the following day when reliever Spencer Patton was recalled.

Former Outfielder Hamilton Killed

Longtime major-league outfielder Darryl Hamilton was found dead last Sunday at his home near Houston, the victim of an apparent murder-suicide involving the mother of his youngest child.

The body of Hamilton, 50, was discovered in the front entrance to the house while his girlfriend, 44-year-old Monica Jordan, was found dead in another part of the home. Jordan died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Pearland Police Department.

The couple’s 14-month-old son was also in the house at the time of the shootings but was unharmed.

Hamilton spent just one of his 13 MLB seasons with the Rangers, but it was a memorable one as he was the leadoff batter and center fielder during the team’s first playoff appearance in 1996.