Andrus hamstring fine; Murphy still stiff

OAKLAND -- Shortstop Elvis Andrus said his right hamstring was fine on Tuesday afternoon. Andrus felt it stiffen up on him when he stole second base in the ninth inning of Monday night's 5-1 loss to the A's. Manager Ron Washington and trainer Jamie Reed checked up on him, but Andrus stayed in the game.

The question remains, however, as to why Andrus doing trying to steal second base in the ninth inning with the Rangers down by four runs. Andrus barely beat the throw from catcher Derek Norris.

"They weren't paying attention so he took a shot," Washington said. "But you've got to be safe. You take away all the excuses if you're not safe. I'd rather see him stay at first, but I didn't put the hold on. When I got out there, I told him don't try to steal third. Just stay there."

David Murphy was also in the Rangers' lineup for a third straight game while still dealing with a bruised lower back. Murphy sustained the injury crashing into the left-field wall on Saturday in Houston and is still dealing with a certain amount of discomfort.

"It's just stiff," Murphy said. "It doesn't hurt but I have a hard time getting loose."