Frank Thomas’ frustration over opposing pitchers walking him so frequently appears to be affecting his hitting. His average has dipped below .300 and he’s averaging a home run for every 14.1 at-bats after hitting one every 10.5 at-bats last season.
“What you have to do is either eliminate what’s causing the frustration or eliminate from your mind that you’re frustrated,” said manager Terry Bevington. “You can’t eliminate what’s causing it because if someone wants to pitch around him, he can’t help that. They’re going to do it. He’s got no control over that.
“Frank has made every adjustment he’s ever had to make. This one may take a little longer than some of the other ones he made, but Frank can make the adjustment.”
Down time: Texas catcher Ivan Rodriguez, out for the series, is experiencing shoulder problems again and is not expected to start throwing again until Monday. The Rangers have been plagued by injuries since spring training.
“The good Lord is looking out for me,” said manager Johnny Oates. “He’s giving me just enough to play with so I don’t have to make any tough decisions.”
Dean Palmer is out for the year after rupturing the biceps tendon in his left arm while swinging and missing on a changeup from Minnesota’s Kevin Tapani.
Juan Gonzalez, who hit his first home run Friday, missed the first 33 games with a herniated disc. Second baseman Jeff Frye is on the disabled list with a hamstring pull. Will Clark (fracture in left elbow) and Rusty Greer (tight hamstring) have also missed games due to injury. Despite the injuries, the Rangers were 17-6 in their last 23 games before Friday.
