Rangers dip into AL West cellar

(Arlington-AP) -- The Texas Rangers are in last place in the<br>American League West, at five games under .500 and even more behind<br>the division lead.<br> <br>The Rangers are also coming off their

Monday, June 19th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Arlington-AP) -- The Texas Rangers are in last place in the
American League West, at five games under .500 and even more behind
the division lead.

The Rangers are also coming off their worst road trip in 14
years.

That's a lot of emotional baggage to carry into a three-week stretch that could make or break the season for Texas, which is off today.

But Rangers manager Johnny Oates says they're going to make it.
Oates says Texas goes through streaks like this every year.

Texas has lost ten of its last eleven games since peaking at a
season-best four games over .500.

The Rangers just concluded a 1-and-8 road trip. It was their least productive since going 0-and-7 in 1986.

The demise has featured the dreadful combination of bad hitting,
bad pitching and bad defense.

The Rangers tomorrow open a three-game homestand against
Minnesota.