Maybe the rally monkey is warming up for the postseason. 

Maybe the rally monkey is warming up for the postseason. 

If the first real test for a new closer is how he handles failure, then right-hander Frank Francisco remains an untested commodity. 

--LHP Matt Harrison made the Rangers' third consecutive quality start by going 6 2/3 innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits. 

MEDICAL WATCH: RHP Vicente Padilla (sore neck and shoulders) will miss his Aug. 

Vladimir Guerrero has certainly enjoyed facing the Texas Rangers. 

A little luck and a little hustle was all the Texas Rangers needed to pull off their first three-game sweep this season. 

Matt Harrison won for the fourth time in August, pitching the Texas Rangers to a 3-2 win over the crumbling Kansas City Royals. 

Matt Harrison won for the fourth time in August, pitching the Texas Rangers to a 3-2 win over the crumbling Kansas City Royals. 

Josh Hamilton, who leads the major leagues with 116 RBIs, was a late scratch from the Texas Rangers lineup against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night because of an abscessed tooth. 

Major league bullpens were again abuzz with news last week: Old faces returned, while some new young guns served notice that they were forces to be reckoned with. 

Texas Rangers right-hander Vicente Padilla will miss his scheduled start Friday against the Los Angeles Angels with inflammation in the muscle joint between the neck and shoulder. 

--RHP Vicente Padilla did not throw his scheduled bullpen session because of soreness in his neck and shoulders. 

MEDICAL WATCH: RHP Vicente Padilla (sore neck and shoulders) didn't throw his scheduled bullpen session Aug. 

Moments after dispatching Detroit last week with a complete-game win, right-hander Kevin Millwood said the enduring significance could be some added confidence.