Rangers Ends Big Month On A Sour Note, Drop One Late To A's

Texas looked flat on for six innings on Sunday, falling behind 4-0, mounting zero offense against Oakland starter Dallas Braden.

Kevin Millwood battled for six innings, leaving down 2-0 but despite being credited with a quality start, didn't have his best stuff and needed 116 pitches to get through the sixth.

"I was just a little inconsistent out there," Millwood said. "I threw too many pitches, especially in the first and second inning, that ran me out of gas. I still feel like I'm pitching well but not getting the results. It is what it is. All I can do is control what I can control and not worry about anything else."

In the bottom of the seventh, Texas finally put a rally together, scoring two runs thanks to a double down the left field line by Jarrod Saltalammachia. They came back in the bottom of the eighth and tied the game, getting RBI singles by Hank Blalock and Marlon Byrd. Unfortunately, David Murphy struck out followed by a popout by Saltalammachia, ending the inning.

Feeling his team had a little momentum, Ron Washington inserted his closer, Frank Francisco in the top of the ninth, hoping to get yet another scoreless inning out of the righty. But, for the first time in 30 appearances dating back to the middle of August last season, Francisco allowed a run, surrendering a solo homerun to Adam Kennedy.

"Frankie has been lights out all year long," said Michael Young. "We expect him to be great, they just got a big home run off him. If we have that situation again, I like our chances."

Before serving up the homerun, Francisco had not allowed a run in 17 2/3 innings this season, the longest streak this season by a pitcher without giving up a run.

"We can't expect him to be perfect," outfielder David Murphy said. "We're disappointed with the way it happened, but by no means did we expect him to be scoreless the entire season. He's allowed to make a mistake now and then."



Texas wasn't able to get the run back as Ian Kinsler grounded into a double play to end the game. Kinsler had yet another rough day, committing and error, going 1-for-5while having yet another homerun stolen from him by Oakland centerfielder Ryan Sweeney and ending the game with the aforementioned double play.