Running Rangers Pick Up Pace

Over the past couple of seasons when the Texas Rangers have knocked down the doors of the American League into relevancy, they've built a reputation of being aggressive on the bases, sometimes to a fault.

Through the first 12 games of the season, the Rangers had only stolen four bases but on Thursday that all changed.

Whether it was something Ron Washington saw in the Tigers' pitchers' deliveries or the defensive shortcomings of Tigers catcher Alex Avila, who's a starter in the league because of his bat, the Rangers took full advantage of their abilities on the base paths on Thursday, doubling their season total with four stolen bases on the night.

Craig Gentry and Elvis Andrus both stole second base, the first theft of the season for Andrus, and then two guys who won't do a whole lot of running, Michael Young and Nelson Cruz pulled off an unexpected double steal of second and third base with two outs to get the Rangers out of a force out opportunity.

The Rangers bats are already putting a ton of pressure on opposing pitchers but look out if they get going on the base paths too. That's what you call pressure.

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