Wash Holds Closed-Door Meeting Following Sixth-Straight Loss
ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) -- The Texas Rangers are having a memorable June, but for all the wrong reasons.
The club has limped to a 4-11 record, losing six-straight for the first time since April 15-21, 2010.
Following the team's 7-2 loss to Toronto on Sunday, Rangers' manager Ron Washington held a closed door meeting with players.
"I spoke to them, and the message is nobody's business in this room -- and I don't mean to be disrespectful," said Washington during his post-game press conference. "I just thought they needed to hear from the manager."
Ron Washington Presser
The Rangers offense sputtered yet again, going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position, stranding 11 runners on base. The team finished the series 2-for-24 (.083) with RISP.
"Guys are playing hard, we're just not getting it done," said catcher A.J. Pierzynski." There's nothing else to it. We're just not winning games."
Derek Holland, who surrendered four runs in six innings of work, declined to discuss what Washington said during the postgame meeting. He does however think the team is close to breaking through.
"We didn't capitalize on the big hits, they did," said Holland. "But at the same time, we're out there battling, doing everything we can. It's just one click away."
The Rangers open a four-game set on Monday against the division-leading Oakland Athletics, who lead Texas by three games in the AL West. Oakland is 22-7 since falling to the Rangers 6-2 on May 15. The Rangers, by contrast, are 12-17.
"Perfect team – a perfect situation," said Andrus. "I think it's a great time for us to start fresh. Come tomorrow, we start a season -- and just be angry out there. Get our energy back and just execute…stay positive."
Notes
- The Rangers are just the second team this season to score 2 or fewer runs in 6 consecutive home games, joining only the Miami Marlins. It is the longest streak ever at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
- The Rangers are averaging 2.6 runs/game in June, the lowest in MLB.
- The most hits by the Rangers in a game in June: 10. That is 15 straight games with 10 or fewer hits, the longest streak since 15 straight to open the 1988 season.
- Elvis Andrus snapped an 0-for-12 slide with an infield RBI single in the bottom of the 9th.
- Over the last two games, the top 3 in the Rangers order are 2-for-26 (0-13 Saturday)
- A Texas starter has not recorded a win since 5/31 (15 games), the longest such streak for Texas since 1995. Texas is the only winless rotation in MLB this month.
- Jurickson Profar started his first career game at 1st base. He has started 18 at 2B and two at SS.
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