Colon seeks history facing Rangers

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OAKLAND -- The Texas Rangers come to Oakland to win, as they have done in five of their six season series since 2006, going 68-56 against the A's over that span. This year, though, the A's and Rangers are even at five games apiece, and the offseason acquisition of one veteran starter could be the key.

Entering their two-game set in Oakland Tuesday, the Rangers won't be excited to see who gravity is holding to the mound in Green and Gold.

Bartolo Colon's 18 career wins against Texas are the 15-year veteran's most against any team. They are also tied with Barry Zito as the second most wins against the Texas Rangers all-time.

In 28 career starts since 1997, Colon is 18-6 with a 3.61 ERA.

Michael Young has had the greatest sustained success against Colon, with a .356 average in 45 at-bats.

So, Michael, you've figured out Bartolo?

"No, not at all," Young said. "It's always a challenge facing the guy."

"His fastball is a lot different than most guys," Young said. "He's got a ton of movement. It's not like he's just firing straight fastballs. He's using both sides of the plate, he's got a lot of sink, and he commands it extremely well. He's having success for a reason."

Despite a small sample size, that success is coming against Young's teammates. Josh Hamilton is 1-for-5, Nelson Cruz is 0-for-7 with three strikeouts and Ian Kinsler is 2-for-11 with two whiffs.

And the latest battle between Colon and the Rangers saw Colon's eight-shutout-inning dissection on June 6, when he allowed five hits while walking out one and striking out five.

Young, Hamilton, Beltre, Cruz and Kinsler finished the game a combined 3-for-18 (.167).

"We have to make some adjustments against Bartolo Colon," Washington said. "But if you go out there against Bartolo too excited about what he did to you last time, he's going to make you look worse.

"He's not overpowering. He's very smart," Washington said with a knowing tap of his temple.

Colon, whose 167 career wins are ninth among active pitchers, has the formula for longevity in the bigs. He throws 89 percent of his pitches for fastballs, and he throws them for strikes, as evidenced by his 1.5 walks-per-nine-innings mark.

If they are the type of fastballs that keep the dangerous Rangers lineup off balance Tuesday, the 39-year-old Colon could move into a tie with Dennis Leonard, Bert Blyleven and Jack Morris as the only pitchers in MLB history with 19 wins against the Texas franchise.

"Any given night he can go out and look like a Cy Young winner," Washington said. "I just hope tonight isn't that night."

A's fans? They have other hopes.

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