Road Kill - Twins Finish-Off Rangers For Sweep

Rangers lose hold on American League West division lead due to recent slide. (AP Photo/Andy King)

A 1-4 start to it's eight game road trip has the Texas Rangers (26-24) looking up at the Oakland Athletics in the A.L. West. Also keep in mind that the Rangers have lost six of their past seven games overall, and this three game sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Twins (30-20) has revealed that this team may not be ready to contend just yet.

"We just haven't really clicked on all cylinders yet," said Ian Kinsler, who went 2 for 12 at the plate in the series. "We're getting good pitching but we're not scoring runs. When we're scoring runs we're not pitching well. We just need to get both those things on the same page and I think we'll start rolling."

Falling Down On The Job

Scott Feldman (above) and the rest of the Rangers' pitching staff has been the culprit for recent mediocre play. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,Chris Young)

In the last 12 games, the Texas Rangers pitching staff has seen it's team ERA drop from third in the American League (4.03) to seventh (4.13). Over this period, the Rangers have allowed an average of nearly six runs (5.83) per game. Texas' record has reflected this as it has gone 6-6 in the past 12 games and seen it's four game lead over the Oakland Athletics drop to two over the past week.

Feldman Struggles, Rangers Lose 5-2

Billy Butler (above, 16) hit a solo home run that broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning as the Royals won their first game of the season against Texas. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Because of shaky pitching, both in the starting rotation and from the bullpen, the Texas Rangers (26-21) have now lost three of their past four games after a five-game winning streak last week.

Rangers' starter, and supposed ace, Scott Feldman (L, 2-5) gave up four runs on seven hits in 6 2-3 innings - the fifth straight start in which he has given up four runs or more. Feldman's ERA has skyrocketed to a season-high 5.84 during this span.

"I'm frustrated," Feldman said. "I've got to get better."

The Kansas City Royals (19-28), on the other hand, got eight innings of two run ball from Luke Hochevar (W, 5-2), who got his second straight win.

"Hochevar didn't give up much," Manager Ron Washington said. "The sixth inning we had a chance to take the lead on him, but we just didn't get it done. Feldman hung in there and gave us 6 2-3 innings. We just didn't put enough runs to make a difference."

Guerrero Power! Texas Wins 8-7

Behind two home runs and five RBI from Vladimir Guerrero (above) the Rangers were able to hold on after nearly blowing what was a 6-2 lead in the fifth inning. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Even though their pitching staff have struggled in recent weeks, the Texas Rangers (26-20) have been able to rely on a potent offense to stay in the driver's seat in the American League West.

This was the case again Tuesday night against the Kansas City Royals (18-28), as starter Rich Harden went only 5 1-3 innings - allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits. However, the Rangers managed to pound out 11 hits and score eight runs - luckily one better than the Royals.

"The pitches they hit were right over the plate," Royal's starter Gil Meche said. "There wasn't one pitch they hit that they shouldn't have hit over the fence where they hit them in those locations. It was a badly pitched game."

Well I guess that's one point of view.

Rangers Unable To Come Back After Rough Start - Lose 5-4

Chicago scored four quick runs in the first inning and Xavier Nady (above) put Chicago up for good at 5-3, narrowly avoiding the glove of catcher Matt Treanor (above). (AP Photo/Ralph Lauer)

After a 5-0 start to it's seven-game home stand, Texas has come up just short in the last two games.

C.J. Wilson (L, 3-2) and the Texas Rangers (25-20) were simply unable to claw their way back after putting themselves in a 4-0 hole to start the game against the Chicago Cubs (21-24). Three straight singles to start the game followed by an Alfonso Soriano two-run shot over the left field wall put the Rangers in a tough situation right out of the gate.

"Maybe I was throwing too many strikes, slash getting bad bounces," Wilson said, who threw 13 of his first 14 pitches for strikes, including Soriano's two-run homer. "Soriano's ball, that's the one I want back."