Rangers Notes: Hank Blalock Believes He Is Still An Everyday Player And More

ARLINGTON – DH Hank Blalock was in the Rangers lineup for the second consecutive day Saturday, an occurrence that has become increasingly rare this month, partly due to the number of left-handed pitchers the Rangers have faced and partly due to a platoon situation that has emerged at DH.

It’s not a situation to which he is used to.

“I feel like I should be in the lineup every day,” Blalock said this week. “Whatever the Texas Rangers want to do with me, that’s their decision, but I still feel like I can contribute. It’s hard on me when I’m not in the lineup and we lose. I hate it because I feel like there are things that I could do to help the team.”

The Rangers have been alternating Blalock and Andruw Jones at DH, with Jones facing lefties and Blalock playing almost exclusively against right-handed pitching. The high number of lefties the Rangers have faced this month and the fact the club has played six games without the DH has limited Blalock’s playing time. He began Saturday with 48 at-bats for the month, but had only seven at-bats vs. lefties. Blalock had 23 at-bats vs. lefties in April and 25 in May. He has started just one game against a lefty this month – June 19 at San Francisco against Randy Johnson.

Blalock, who hit .267 in April and .250 in May, entered Saturday with a .208 average for the season. His on-base percentage of .293 ranks 73rd among 78 AL qualifiers (Chris Davis was last at .270).

Blalock can be a free agent at the end of the season, but said that the impending free agency had nothing to do with his struggle at the plate.

“I can’t predict the future,” he said. “All I know is that I’m an everyday-caliber player.”

• Millwood on the All-Star Game: After filling out his player ballot for the All-Star Game, RHP Kevin Millwood acknowledged that, yes, makFing the team would be a big deal for him.

“It would mean a lot after the last couple of years,” Millwood said. “It’s just good to be getting back to a point where I know I can pitch at a certain level. I think it would be an honor to go to an All-Star Game, but it’s not something I dwell on.”

Players were given ballots and stats on Friday and were instructed to vote for five starting pitchers. Millwood, who pitched Friday night, was fourth in the league in ERA (2.64) after his six-inning, two-run outing on Friday. He was tied for sixth in wins (eight) and was the league leader in innings pitched. He ranks behind Zack Greinke (1.90), Edwin Jackson (2.40) and Roy Halladay (2.53) in ERA. Those three, along with Jason Verlander, appear to be the top four candidates. The fifth spot is open between Millwood, Jered Weaver, Felix Hernandez, Cliff Lee, Kevin Slowey and Josh Beckett.

“I’ve seen the other guys and he’s right there with them,” said manager Ron Washington, who acknowleged placing Millwood in his five. “He doesn’t take a backseat to anybody.”

• June a very good month to Millwood: Speaking of Millwood, he’s had the most dominant June of any Rangers pitcher in the Rangers Ballpark Era. Millwood, whose next start is Wednesday, July 1 against Los Angeles, compiled a 1.30 ERA for his five June starts. It’s the fourth lowest June ERA for a pitcher since the Rangers moved to Texas in 1972 behind Charlie Hough (1.15, 1984); Nolan Ryan (1.20, 1991); and Hough again (1.26, 1988). The previous low Ballpark Era June ERA? Rick Helling at 2.56 in June 1998. Yeah, Millwood beat it by more than a run.

• More fun with stats: While Ron Washington isn’t ready to put Frank Francisco back in the closer’s role just yet, the Rangers really haven’t had any issues regardless of who has been the closer. The Rangers have not lost a ninth inning lead this year, going 32-0 when holding a lead after eight. The Rangers lead the AL in save percentage (80.8) and have the fewest blown saves (five). They are second to Cincinnati (82.6 percent save conversions, four blown saves) in the majors in both categories.

Washington said the two-run, game-tying homer Francisco allowed to Mark Reynolds on Thursday has no impact on his decision to leave things as they are for the time being.

“I thought the ball was in on [Reynolds] pretty good,” Washington said. “What it comes down to is a good fastball pitcher vs. a good fastball hitter and the fastball hitter won. Francisco bounced back pretty well after pitching [Wednesday]. He’s getting closer. As long as he’s healthy, we’ll make that decision a little farther down the road.”

• Briefly: Josh Hamilton ran the bases and slid hard – hard enough to tear a hole in his pants – during an afternoon workout. He will either do the same workout again Sunday or take a day off. It’s still looking like Hamilton could begin a rehab assignment around the middle of the week and be in position to return when the Rangers go to Anaheim on July 6. … Little clarification on the status of German Duran: The reason he was placed on release waivers is because he was currently on the DL (following an appendectomy) at Oklahoma City. By rule, an injured player can’t be outrighted while on the DL. He must be released. If Duran clears waivers, and he is expected to, the Rangers can re-sign him to a minor league deal. Both Duran and the club have interest in continuing the relationship.