--The Rangers have won five consecutive series. It's the first time they've won that many in a row since early in the 2005 season.

--LHP Kason Gabbard, a day after throwing his normal bullpen session, felt no residual soreness from being tackled by Richie Sexson last week. Gabbard should make his scheduled start on Tuesday.

--C Jarrod Saltalamacchia presided over five steals allowed by Texas Sunday. It's the most since Sept. 26, 2001 vs. Seattle.

--RHP Kazuo Fukumori cleared outright waivers and was removed from the 40-man roster. Fukumori, who has twice been optioned to Oklahoma, signed a one-year deal with a vesting option for 2009 over the winter. He could still earn that option since it only pertains to time spent on the disabled list.

--The Rangers' scoreless innings streak that ended at 33 on Saturday night was the longest in the majors since Baltimore finished the 1995 season with five straight shutouts. The Rangers hadn't pitched three consecutive shutouts since 1981 when they established the franchise record with 39 consecutive scoreless innings.

BY THE NUMBERS
10-2 -- Rangers' record when allowing opponents three or fewer runs this season. They were 42-8 (.840) last year when allowing under four -- tied with Los Angeles for the best such winning percentage in the AL.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"Nobody was pleased with our play in the first month, but ... we do not want to have a knee-jerk reaction. We are playing better now. If there is a need to revisit it, we'll address it at the All-Star break and not before. It is not an active conversation." -- GM Jon Daniels offering a vote of confidence to manager Ron Washington, whose job had been in jeopardy.

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