Texas Rangers Notes: Outfielder David Murphy Gets Left-Handed Compliment; Nelson Cruz Out Again

• Also: Frank Francisco on DL with pnuemonia

ARLINGTON - With the Rangers crowded house in the outfield, it may be difficult for David Murphy to guarantee himself full-time status, but he’s certainly showing that patience can be a virtue in attacking the biggest perceived weakness in his offensive game.

In a rare start against a left-handed pitcher Sunday, Murphy saw 21 pitches in four plate appearances against lefties and responded by reaching base three times. It’s the first time in his career he’s reached base three times vs. left-handed pitchers in one game. Murphy had a pair of hits and walked once vs. LHP Francisco Liriano. He struck out on a seven-pitch at-bat against LHP Brian Duensing in the 11th.

Murphy is hitting only .194 against lefties this season, but after starting out 1-for-18 with one walk, he is 6-for-18 with five walks for a .478 on-base percentage since June 1.

“There is no reason for me to be aggressive against lefties,” said Murphy, who has pushed his overall batting average to .279 with a team-best .366 on-base percentage. “I haven’t faced them very much and haven’t done very well against them. I need to work the count against lefties more. If the numbers are against me, that’s one thing I can do more of to help turn things in my favor.”

After facing two lefties in the Minnesota series, the Rangers don’t face a lefty this week, but could see a heavy dose of them next week when Detroit and Seattle come to town. The Rangers typical lineup against lefties has included an outfield of right-handed hitting Marlon Byrd and Nelson Cruz and left-handed hitting Josh Hamilton.

Cruz, however, was out of the starting lineup again on Tuesday. He is suffering from a slight fracture of the right ring finger, which he suffered diving into first base on Saturday night. Cruz did not take any batting practice swings on Monday and will be re-evaluated Tuesday. Manager Ron Washington said he doesn’t believe Cruz will need to go to the DL.

Murphy’s recent success against lefties combined with his new project of learning to play first base might help get him in the lineup more often against lefties, particuarly since 1B Hank Blalock is struggling against them. Blalock, also a left-handed hitter, is hitting .195 against lefties in 77 at-bats. He also has not taken a walk against lefties, giving him a .205 on-base percentage against them. Since moving back into the every day lineup on July 3, Blalock is 4-for-22 (.182) against left-handers. Among the 131 AL hitters with at least 50 plate appearances against lefties, Blalock’s on-base percentage is tied for the lowest with since-demoted teammate Chris Davis.