Berkman returns to Rangers' lineup

ARLINGTON -- Lance Berkman returned to the Rangers' lineup Wednesday as the designated hitter against the Mariners. Berkman hit sixth in the order after missing four games with a sore right knee after slipping on the stairs of the team plane. Berkman hit on the field with the team Wednesday and said he felt good.

"We'll see how it goes in live game action, but during [batting practice], there were no problems," Berkman said.

Berkman has played two of the last 11 games. He entered Wednesday 19-of-96 in his last 25 games, dropping his batting average from .309 to .263. With Berkman back in the lineup, the Rangers had five consecutive left-handed hitters against right-handed pitcher Felix Hernandez.