Kinsler, Cruz Get Day Off “To Catch Their Breath”

Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz are both out of the Rangers' lineup for Thursday's series finale with the Yanks

Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz are both out of the lineup today in the Bronx, in a move that manager Ron Washington hopes will refreshen the two.

They both need it,” Washington told the team’s official website. “They're both struggling, especially in this series. I want to give them both a day to catch their breath.”

Through the first three games (all losses) of the series, Cruz is 2-for-11 with an RBI, which is bad, but not as bad as Kinsler; the Rangers’ All-Star second baseman, barring a late-game, pinch-hit appearance on Thursday afternoon, will finish the Yankees series 0-for-11 with four strikeouts, a stretch that has dropped his average from .275 to .268.

"It looks like he's a little sluggish," Washington said of Kinsler. "I'm just trying to get him to catch his breath. He's missing pitches that he normally hits. His bat looks a little heavy. I'm going to give him a day off after a night game, and maybe that will rejuvenate him."

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us