Rangers’ Sele Gets 18th Win

If Texas ends up slipping past the Angels and making the playoffs, Ranger Manager Johnny Oates should have no trouble picking his first two starters.

Aaron Sele joined teammate Rick Helling as an 18-game winner Wednesday night, allowing five hits in seven innings as the Rangers beat the Kansas City Royals, 8-0.

“We need guys like Sele and Helling,” said Juan Gonzalez, who went three for four to extend his hitting streak to 20 games, the longest current streak in the majors. “We feel very comfortable with Sele and Helling on the mound.”

Texas won its third straight. It was the fifth consecutive victory for Sele (18-10), who also opened the year with five straight wins.

Sele started the game strong by striking out Johnny Damon on three pitches. He finished with seven strikeouts--five looking--and walked one.

The Royals did not get past first base until one out in the sixth, when Jose Offerman singled and took second on an error by shortstop Royce Clayton. Offerman went to third on a two-out wild pitch, but Jeff King struck out.

“The last two or three starts he’s been right there with everything,” Oates said. “He had a good curveball, good command of it, good command of his fastball and some good changeups. He didn’t have any balls scorched and he did a good job locating the ball and changing speeds.”

Oates’ only complaint was the number of pitches Sele threw: 123. That’s too many for seven innings, especially for someone who hardly struggled.

“I wanted him to go out there and throw 10-12 pitches an inning, but the other team didn’t let him,” Oates said.

Will Clark gave Texas a 2-0 lead with a two-run double in the first inning, then Tom Goodwin made it 4-0 with another two-run double in the second.

Lee Stevens hit a three-run homer, his 16th, to make it 7-0 one out into the third inning, knocking out Pat Rapp (11-12).