Scouting report Oates, forsaking his managerial roots, started runners several times in an attempt to stay out of double plays. The tactic worked several times in the 5-0 win against Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field. The Rangers have grounded into 79 double plays, most in the majors. Houston ranks second with 69. Both teams wallow in last place.
Double plays drain the life from an offense.
Oates started a runner twice in the four-run second inning. Kapler hit a high curveball to right-center, advancing Mike Lamb to third. Lamb lost a chance to score when he hesitated after losing sight of the ball while rounding second. Oates had Kapler and Royce Clayton, who drove in the inning's first run with an infield single, on a full-count pitch to Luis Alicea. He sliced a run-scoring single to left.