Texas Rangers Team Report - April 18th

(Sports Network) - After taking three of four games from Anaheim, the Texas Rangers begin a new weekend series against the struggling Oakland Athletics tonight at the Coliseum.

After falling behind 4-0 in the first inning last night, the Rangers fought back and earned a 9-7 victory over the Angels. Hank Blalock went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and three runs scored and Ryan Christenson finished with three RBI to lead the Texas .

Ryan Drese (1-1) earned the victory for the Rangers, as he threw seven innings and allowed four runs on nine hits to go along with eight strikeouts and four walks. Ugueth Urbina came in for final two outs in the ninth and recorded his sixth save of the season despite a shaky outing.

Texas will rely on veteran righthander John Thomson this evening. Thomson has yet to record a decision this season, including a no-decision with Seattle on Sunday. The righty surrendered six hits and three runs over seven innings, while fanning six.

Thomson performed well in his first career start against Oakland on April 8, allowing just seven hits and one run over six innings. The 29-year-old struck out seven and walked two in the no-decision.

The Rangers have surrendered 99 runs so far this season and scored just 68 times.

Alex Rodriguez has been outstanding as usual, as he has hit seven home runs already.

04/18 12:53:55 ET