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Rangers send Padilla against Eveland, Athletics

Sep 14, 2008 - 7:21 AM Texas (73-76) at Oakland (68-80) 4:05 pm EDT

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- For most teams, anything but first is the worst. For the Texas Rangers, second place will be just fine.

The Rangers look to get closer to securing the second spot in the American League West when they face the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.

Over the past eight seasons, the Rangers have finished in last place in the division five times and third on three more occasions. So, capturing second place is a move in the right direction for Ron Washington's team.

The goal hit a minor hurdle on Saturday as Oakland's Josh Outman won his first major-league start, limiting Texas to seven hits in a 7-1 victory. Still, the Rangers have won 10 of 15 against the Athletics, who are 4 1/2 games back in third place.

The Rangers will send Vincente Padilla (13-7, 4.79 ERA) to the mound to try ice their fifth straight series victory. The righthander held Seattle to an unearned run and six hits over 5 2/3 innings in a 7-3 win on Tuesday.

Padilla is 10-3 over his last road 15 starts, and two of those victories came in Oakland. Overall, he is 5-1 against the Athletics.

The Athletics counter with Dana Eveland (8-8, 4.23), who.held Detroit to two runs and seven hits over seven innings of a 3-2 victory on Tuesday, but received a no-decision. The lefthander has made two career starts against the Rangers and is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA.