SPORTSDAY

I'm such a contrarian. I'm sure all you guys want to talk about is the power. But I'm stuck on Ian Kinsler's baserunning. His walk, steal of second and dash for home in the seventh changed the game in my opinion. Kinsler did what great basestealers do: He stole a base when everybody knew he was going and when the club needed it most.

As mentioned earlier, Kinsler's success rate of 88.5 percent (for 52 career attempts) is currently the best in major league history for a guy with at least 50 attempts. You can occasionally knock Kinsler for some strange plays in the field, but he is carving a reputation as a smart and dangerous baserunner.

You want more? I'll give you more. Just (as Bob Seger says) turn the page. ...

The Rangers have taken a lead here in the bottom of the seventh on a two-out rally created wholly by Ian Kinsler. He took a four-pitch walk, then stole second. It was Kinsler's 46th stolen base in 52 career attempts. Pretty good. No, actually it's awesome. Among all hitters since 1900, Kinsler's 88.5 percent success rate ranks first all time. Kinsler, who has stolen 12 bases this season without getting caught, scored on a Michael Young single through the right side. He slid in just ahead of the tag by catcher J.R. Towles, who was trying to make a catch on the right side of the base and swipe at him.

Astros manager Cecil Cooper got himself ejected and, to me, it was kind of unnecessary. Home plate unpire Angel Campos was in great position to make the call and was literally on top of the plate. Replays showed Kinsler's foot seemed to get in ahead of the tag. It's one thing to not agree with a call if a guy is out of position or far away. The umpire seemed to do everything right.

Oh, almost forgot. Josh Hamilton followed Young with a triple. His fifth hit of the night. He has 13 total bases, tied for the second highest single game total in Rangers history. His five RBIs and five hits are both career highs. And if only that second homer had been a double, well, he'd have a cycle.

When Houston tied the score in the top of the sixth (it's 8-8), it took Shawn Chacon off the hook for a loss. He still has no record after nine starts. That's the longest streak of no decisions to start a season in major league history. Congratulations, Shawn.

And now on to other things: One thing that keeps Frank Francisco from becoming a more integral part of the Rangers' bullpen is his lack of pitch efficiency. I've been harping on this subject a lot this year, but its really relevant. His 25-pitch top-of-the-sixth makes it unlikely he's going to pitch the seventh. That starts the wheels in motion on the back end of the Rangers bullpen. Jamey Wright is up now. While the Rangers' preferred order of business is to have Wright pitch the seventh, Joaquin Benoit pitch the eighth and C.J. Wilson pitch the ninth, it would be helpful to not have to go to them EVERY night. The Rangers need Francisco to throw more effective strikes. He's averaging 18.4 pitches per inning. It makes him nothing more than a one-inning middle reliever. The Rangers need middle guys who can go multiple innings.

Hamilton may have a pair of homers tonight, but he's not keeping pace with Philadelphia's Jayson Werth. He has three homers in his first three at-bats: A three-run homer, a grand slam and a solo job. He needs a two-run homer to hit for the homer cycle. I don't think that's been done before.

The Major League's RBI leaders are on hand tonight. Josh Hamilton entered the game with 44. Houston's Lance Berkman entered with 43 and hot on Hamilton's tail. Well, Hamilton can now breath a little easier thanks to his two homers and four RBIs in the first four innings. Hamilton hit his first homer over the Rangers bullpen. He hit his second almost exactly to the same spot, only higher. It hit the facing of the home run porch. It's the second multi-homer game in Hamilton's career (he had two vs. Colorado on May 7 last year).

Hamilton's first homer was measured at 415 feet. The second was measured at 451 feet. And Berkman wasn't the only player Hamilton put in his place so far. Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a homer midway up the home run porch in right center to start the fourth. It measured 440 feet. Four batters later, Hamilton outdrove Salty.

Berkman? Flied out twice.

Nice first-inning at-bat for B. Boggs. Worked the count full against Shawn Chacon, then lined a pitch into the gap in right center to break from a 1-for-20 slump. Also, drove in a pair of runs to give the Rangers a 3-0 lead. Rangers have outscored opponents 35-20 in the first inning this year.

1.The next cartoon/comic book/anime that should be turned into a full-length movie is? "Have they made a He-Man movie?"

2. Finish this sentence: Chris Osgood is? "I have no idea who that is, but he probably has never heard of me either, so it's all good."

3. Madonna has a new album out: Still hip or so 80s? "Still hip. ... right up until she dirt naps [bloggers note: We think that means until she passes away.]"

4. Your pick to win American Idol was? "David Archuleta."

5. Best Mother's Day gift you ever got your mom? "I don't know if I've ever gotten her a gift, but I took her to Truluck's on Sunday. It was awesome."

It's the perfect meal-time replacement. Low in calories. And there is no cost to you. Let's play a round, shall we? And let's add one of our series of occasional polls.

Today's entrant: Sidney Ponson
Today's question: Ideal vacation spot right now (in case the prize dept. ever comes up with a FABULOUS ALL EXPENSES PAID VACATION!!! for our winners)

Grant's call
IP: 6.2
H: 9
R: 5
ER: 5
BB: 1
K: 2
Pitches 111
Where I want to go on vacation right now: Sailing in the British Virgin Islands

If the Rangers somehow manage to play their way into playoff contention, that's a huge bonus. This season is all about making progress with the rebuilding plan.

Since we're roughly at the quarter point of the season, I figured this would be a fine time for progress reports on the Rangers' twentysomethings. So I gave grades to the under-30 guys who are either on the active roster or DL. I'll break it into two parts: pitchers and hitters (follow the jump).

Feel free to give your own grades.

We here at whatever you want to call this blog believe that stealing imitation is the best form of flattery. So we are going to steal from imitate Sports Illustrated's pop culture grid. If you've seen the mag lately, you know they ask a couple of players some pop culturish questions and give you their funny little answers. But SI, they are so elitist. They never let you, the fan, play along. We here at (fill in your own name for the blog) care about you. So, rather than just run a grid, we'll periodically give you a Ranger and let you try to figure out their responses. First up: Leadoff man Ian Kinsler.

Questions below. Answers to be posted at game time. Right now, it's your turn to figure out what Kinsler would say:

1.The next cartoon/comic book/anime that should be turned into a full-length movie is?
2. Finish this sentence: Chris Osgood is ...
3. Madonna has a new album out: Still hip or so 80s?
4. Your pick to win American Idol was?
5. Best Mother's Day gift you ever got your mom?

See you at game time.

The Rangers' affiliates had an extra inning game, one team scored 16 runs and another lost in a low-scoring, pitcher's duel.

We'll give the player of the night award to Ben Harrison of Frisco. It had to be somebody from the RoughRiders after they scored 16 runs, right? Flip the page to find out how Harrison did.

Hank Blalock didn't play for Double-A Frisco tonight after he felt his hamstring tighten up during warmups. Blalock will be re-evaluated tomorrow (read: He won't play then either). And I doubt he'll join the Rangers this weekend.

Given the fact the Rangers called this a partial tear of the hamstring, I was quite surprised that Blalock intended to be back only three weeks after suffering the injury. Indeed, when it was announced, it was announced as an injury that would probably keep him out three to six weeks. Usually the more conservative number is what is most applicable. So, I didn't expect him back before June 1.

Last year, Blalock was optimistic that his surgically repaired elbow/shoulder would allow him to return to the field by mid-August. He never returned to the field, though he did play DH in September.

Sometimes, even when the player is determined and optimistic, the best thing to do is slow down their rehab.

The Rangers didn't find any takers for Ben Broussard in a trade, so he's being placed on release waivers. The Rangers obviously are going to eat his $3.85 million contract. There is about 2.9 million left on the deal. If somebody signs him after he is officially released, they'd only be obligated to pay a pro-rated portion of the major league minimum of $390,000.

Rangers closer C.J. Wilson is hosting a Guitar Hero III tournament to benefit Texas Scottish Rite Hospital. The event is TONIGHT at Southwest Airlines Corporate Headquarters on Love Field Drive. It's from 6-10 p.m. and costs $20. Food will be avaiable and for an extra $10 donation, 10 folks can play against C.J. Wilson said he will be signing autographs. A total of 32 people will compete in the tournament and the final eight face-off against Wilson and play for prizes, including a 737 flight simulation ride with C.J.

For Directions or more information visit www.myspace.com/blueglovelefty

If the Rangers somehow manage to play their way into playoff contention, that's a huge bonus. This season is all about making progress with the rebuilding plan.

Since we're roughly at the quarter point of the season, I figured this would be a fine time for progress reports on the Rangers' twentysomethings. So I gave grades to the under-30 guys who are either on the active roster or DL. I'll break it into two parts: pitchers today (follow the jump) and hitters tomorrow.

Feel free to give your own grades.

It's an off day for the Rangers, a day after Triple-A Oklahoma had the night off. The rest of the Rangers' affiliates were in action.

So who was the star of the night? That has to be pitcher Tommy Hunter. You'll have to flip the page to read all about his game.