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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Doug Davis knows there's at least one
spot available in next year's Texas Rangers' starting rotation, and
the rookie left-hander wants to clinch it down now.
Davis took another step in that direction, allowing three hits
in 7 1/3 innings, and Rafael Palmeiro hit his 36th homer of the
season, leading the Rangers over the Kansas City Royals, 8-1,
Thursday night.
"In my mind, I think I've already got it," said Davis, who's
won three of his last four decisions. "I've got to finish the year
strong, then go in and work hard in spring training. But I've got
to be positive. I think I've got it."
Davis (7-5) walked four in the first three innings, five in all,
but none turned into runs. He retired 12 straight before a one-out
walk in the eighth to Johnny Damon, his final hitter.
Davis, who allowed the fewest hits of his 11 major league
starts, said he recovered from early wildness by simply slowing
down his pitching mechanics.
"I was rushing everything and that left the ball up," Davis
said. "Nobody had to tell me. I knew what I was doing wrong and
corrected it. I started getting the ball down and getting some
ground balls. Every time out I learn more and more."
Texas' defense turned three double plays and didn't commit an
error, and Tim Crabtree pitched the final 1 2/3 innings for his
second save in eight opportunities.
"It's the same old thing -- pitch well and play decent defense,
you're going to win some ball games," Rangers manager Johnny Oates
said.
Palmeiro's homer, which tied the score in the first, was his
397th, moving him past Joe Carter and into 34th on the career list,
one behind Dale Murphy.
Palmeiro wants to reach 400 homers before the end of the season,
but he said "it's just a number."
"Yeah, I'm getting a little excited about it," Palmeiro said.
"I'd like to get it done. But if I don't, there's always next
year. I'm not going to worry about it."
Texas broke the game open in the eighth on two-run homers by
Chad Curtis and Gabe Kapler off reliever Paul Spoljaric. It was
Curtis' second career pinch-hit homer.
Mac Suzuki (8-10) allowed four runs and five hits in 6 1/3
innings. He matched his career high with eight strikeouts and
walked six.
Suzuki's inability to get ahead in the count proved his undoing.
"He pitched behind pretty much all game," Royals manager Tony
Muser said. "He battled. He got behind, threw a lot of pitches.
He's just not efficient right now. Walks put a lot of pressure on
the pitcher and on the defense."
Kansas City's offense is also struggling, scoring four runs in
the last three games.
"We had the bases loaded twice tonight and didn't score,"
Muser said. "You get a couple there and you start to feel good
about yourself. Our bats were slow. Nobody is crisp."
Carlos Beltran's sacrifice fly put Kansas City ahead in the
first after Rey Sanchez and Mike Sweeney singled, and Jermaine Dye
walked.
After Palmerio's homer tied it, the Rangers went ahead in the
third. Luis Alicea doubled, Palmeiro was intentionally walked with
one out, and Kapler walked to load the bases. Suzuki then walked
rookie Pedro Valdes on a 3-2 pitch, forcing in the go-ahead run.
Frank Catalanotto reached first on second baseman Carlos Febles'
fielding error in the seventh and Palmeiro walked. Kapler singled
in a run off Suzuki, and pinch-hitter Ruben Sierra singled in a run
off Scott Mullen.
Game notes
X-rays showed Texas C Ivan Rodriguez's broken right thumb
is healing on schedule. Rodriguez will have the split removed from
the thumb and he has been cleared to begin range-of-motion
exercises. Rodriguez sustained the season-ending injury on July 24.
... The Royals fell to 14-26 against the AL West this season ...
Suzuki's has had eight strikeouts five times in his career. ...
Texas has an AL-high four pinch homers this season. ... Palmeiro
has 1,334 career RBI, moving past Duke Snider for 57th on the
career list.
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Baseball Scoreboard
Kansas City Clubhouse
Texas Clubhouse
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