Rangers offense sees room for improvement despite early success

No team in the American League had scored more runs than the Rangers entering Wednesday’s game. In fact, Texas ranks among the top four in the A.L. in team batting average (.258), on-base percentage (.321), RBI (67), hits (120) and doubles (28).

Still, the Rangers see runners left stranded and plenty of room for improvement.

“That just shows how good we are,” said Prince Fielder, who has 13 RBI despite a .173 batting average. “We’re scoring runs but still have a lot of room for improvement.”

It’s only a matter of time, Delino DeShields said, before the offense begins to play up to its potential. DeShields is hitting .319 with a team-high 11 runs scored.

“I think we’ll be a very dangerous team,” he said. “We have all the pieces, top to bottom. Young guys stepping up doing what they have to do. Veterans are leading the group. I think the core is very a tight unit. They lead us.”

The Rangers see an improvement coming when players such as Fielder, Mitch Moreland, Ian Desmond and Rougned Odor begin to raise their averages. All were hitting .255 or lower before Wednesday’s game.

A season-high seven different players scored a run in Tuesday’s win while eight of the nine batters collected a hit. The five bottom hitters in the order each drove in a run Tuesday for the first time since April 2013. Batters Nos. 5-8 (Moreland, Desmond, Odor and Elvis Andrus) each had two hits.

“We haven’t clicked together totally yet but we’re getting timely hits,” Fielder said. “[Tuesday] was the first day where everybody contributed.”

DeShields expects it to continue.

“The sky’s the limit,” he said. “Once everything starts clicking on all cylinders I think it’s going to be very fun to watch and be part of. We’re winning ball games right now but I think we have a chance to win a whole lot more.”

Griffin’s first home start

Right-hander A.J. Griffin makes his first start at Globe Life Park in the series finale Thursday against the Astros. He had success in his two previous starts in Arlington with the A’s in 2012 and 2013. He has a 1.59 ERA and nine strikeouts in 11 1/3 combined innings in two starts in Arlington.

Griffin last pitched April 13 in Seattle. He’s not concerned about the extra days rest.

“I just got to go out there and throw strikes, challenge guys,” he said. “I’m excited. I like this field a lot. The way it’s set up it looks cool.”

Briefly

▪ Former first round pick (No. 4 overall in 2015) right-hander Dillon Tate has been put on the disabled list with a right hamstring strain at Low Hickory.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 7:42 PM with the headline "Rangers offense sees room for improvement despite early success."