Rangers Continue Winning Ways, 9-2

Manager Johnny Oates says his Texas Rangers are playing with confidence, but they’re taking nothing for granted.

The Rangers continued their hot streak Friday night as Todd Zeile and Ivan Rodriguez each had three runs batted in during a 9-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

“We’re playing with a great deal of confidence right now, but nothing is decided yet,” said Oates after the Rangers won for the 11th time in 12 games. “They’re not assuming anything. We’re not overconfident. We’re playing well, and well-played games breed more confidence.”

Rodriguez went three for five and Zeile drove in the go-ahead run with a fifth-inning sacrifice fly as the Rangers improved to 4-0 against Kansas City this season and 16-4 against the American League Central.

During the recent streak, the Rangers have been successful on offense without an abundance of homers. On Friday night, all 14 of Texas’ hits were singles.

“The bottom line is we scored nine runs and we won the game,” Rodriguez said. “We find ways to score.”