Late rally not enough for Rangers in loss to Tigers

The expectations for Josh Hamilton have been dialed back since his surprising return to the Texas Rangers materialized in April.

He was coming off surgery without a spring training, so he needed time to get ready before joining the major league roster.

Then a string of lower-body injuries kept him sidelined off and on, including a left knee that required surgery Sept. 11 to repair the meniscus.

Hamilton took the long view at each step, as did manager Jeff Banister. Both were content to take it slow, each time easing Hamilton back onto the field with hopes of not rushing the healing process.

When his left knee became too painful in mid August and eventually required surgery, the prospect that he’d be anything more than just a pinch-hitter in the postseason was bleak at best.

But there he was again Monday night at Globe Life Park, starting and playing a whole game in left field for the second time in three days. He went 1 for 3 with a single and walk in Monday’s 7-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

But more important for the Rangers, Hamilton moved smoothly and swiftly in left field, showing more proof that he’s physically capable for the postseason. He made long, running catches in the fourth and ninth innings, neither exactly routine plays.

The Rangers, who led the Astros by two games with the Astros playing a late game in Seattle on Monday, have a magic number of five with six games remaining.

If Hamilton, as he did again Monday night, proves healthy, Banister said he’d be open to using Hamilton against left-handed pitchers. That means Mike Napoli, who has made two errors in five chances since being used in left this month, would likely return to a bench role or playing first for Mitch Moreland against left-handers.

That could be the plan Tuesday night when Cole Hamels faces Tigers left-hander Daniel Norris.

“We’re going to continue to play every day day by day and leave all of our options open,” Banister said before Monday’s game. “Potentially, a healthy Josh could play a significant role for us. I think we need to give him every opportunity to be able to get him going and see what he can do.”

Hamilton, who started just his 37th game Monday, is thankful to rejoin his team on the field, hopefully just in time to help them try to clinch their first American League West title since 2011.

“I’m very thankful,” he said. “In my mind, I wanted to get back [on the field] in Houston. I set that goal and then it was up to skip and the training staff to either say yes or no. I’m glad they said yes. And now it’s just when I’m out there, trying to do whatever I can to help the team.”

It seems only fitting that Hamilton will have a chance to clinch a postseason berth with the Rangers against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels, who come to town for a season-ending four-game series beginning Thursday. When asked how the Rangers remain dedicated to the one-game-at-a-time mentality, Hamilton, like he’s had to do all season, said forgetting about the past is vital.

“It’s easier when you get guys who have been there and through it before,” he said. “When you have a short memory and forget about what happened yesterday.”

Two other potentially important players look to be returning just in time for the Rangers, too. Center fielder Leonys Martin replaced Delino DeShields in center in the seventh, his first action since Aug. 3. Catcher Robinson Chirinos doubled as a pinch-hitter in the ninth, his first appearance since Sept. 9.

“I don’t want to know what he can’t do,” Banister said of Hamilton. “I want to know what he can do. We have to get to the healthy part first.”

It has arrived.

This story was originally published September 28, 2015 at 11:14 PM with the headline "Late rally not enough for Rangers in loss to Tigers."