ARLINGTON, Texas - The Rangers handed out replica posters of Josh Hamilton's recent Sports Illustrated cover to most of the 35,039 in attendance for Saturday's 8-6 loss to Philadelphia.
Hamilton had two chances to deliver the kind of big hit that helped put him in the national spotlight earlier this month.
But in a rarity for Hamilton this season, he didn't deliver.
He represented the go-ahead run with runners on the corners in the fifth, but he struck out looking on an off-speed pitch from Phillies starter Cole Hamels. Hamilton came up with runners on the corners again in the ninth with the Rangers down by two, and he struck out swinging, this time on a nasty slider from Brad Lidge.
The loss on a wet night dropped the Rangers to .500. It's the sixth time this season they have failed to go two games over .500 for the first time since Sept. 22, 2006. Hamels outpitched Vicente Padilla, who gave up seven earned runs in six innings. Despite that, the Rangers had chances to come back.
Hamilton, like many players do on nights with fireworks after the game, scooted out quickly to avoid the traffic. But manager Ron Washington conceded that Hamilton, a likely starter in this year's All-Star Game, is tired. Hamilton has had left knee inflammation after diving for a ball Tuesday in Houston and was hit in the left hand by a pitch on Thursday. He's playing through the minor injuries, but he's sore.
Washington has talked about keeping Hamilton on the field and healthy since spring training. He constantly asks Hamilton how he's feeling and wants the 27-year-old outfielder to be honest with him when he needs a break. Washington has played Hamilton in right field the last few games to give his legs a break from covering ground in center.
But Hamilton's swing hasn't found the groove the last week. In his last seven games, Hamilton has four hits in 24 at-bats (.166 average) with nine strikeouts and four RBI.
Hamilton was leading the American League in batting at .328 on June 2, the date printed on the Sports Illustrated that features him. Since then, his average has dropped to .309.
Part of the learning process for Hamilton is figuring out what his body can take over the course of a full season. He played just 90 games because of injuries in Cincinnati last season and has played 79 of the Rangers' 82 games this year. That's just over one full season's worth of games.
"People forget this is his second year in the big leagues," Michael Young said. "You don't just come up to the big leagues and not go through a tough stretch. I don't care who you are, it doesn't work like that. Knowing Josh, he has great instincts for the game and works hard, and this slump is no sweat. The biggest thing is Josh expects to come through in those big situations and we expect him to come through, too."
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(c) 2008, The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Mclatchy-Tribune News Service.
