--The combination of four different catchers and an inexperienced pitching staff has led to opponents having more success on the bases against the Rangers than in a long time. Opponents have been successful on 101 of 132 stolen base attempts (76.5 percent). It's the highest percentage against the Rangers since 1990 when the Rangers allowed a 78.0 percent success rate. Manager Ron Washington said the pitchers must learn a more effective "slide-step" technique to hold runners.

--The Rangers have lost 44 games this season after having the lead at some point. They have led in both games at Los Angeles this week.

--1B Hank Blalock turned an unassisted double play Friday for the Rangers' 174th twin killing of the season. It's tied for third most in club history. The record of 179, set last year, seems destined to fall. The Rangers need 26 double plays over the final 26 games to become the seventh team in the last 50 years to reach 200 double plays.

BY THE NUMBERS: 593 2/3 -- The bullpen's pace for innings pitched this season after throwing 480 innings in the first 131 games. That total would put them fourth all-time, just ahead of last year's Rangers' club, which pitched 592 innings. The 2003 Rangers pitched an all-time high of 601 1/3.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I was a little jittery, but I felt like I was able to regulate myself a little and I could fall back on some of the adjustments we made in the last couple of weeks. I think being able to make adjustments in the middle of an inning was a big positive step. I know I got off on the wrong foot every inning by putting the leadoff batter on base, but I felt I was able to make an adjustment each time. This is the beginning of things. I've got a good foundation, but I have a lot of work to move forward." -- RHP Brandon McCarthy, summing up his first start of the season.