Washington expects tighter D from Rangers

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers on Monday had a defensive meeting, something manager Ron Washington said is common throughout a season. But this meeting comes after a series in which the club didn't look sharp in the field while being swept by the Orioles.

"It's not been nice," Washington said. "There are a lot plays out there we haven't made that we're capable of making, but that doesn't make us a bad defensive club and that doesn't make the guys not making the plays bad defensive players."

On Sunday, Elvis Andrus committed a fielding error on a ground ball that Washington said should have been an automatic out, considering the shortstop's defensive ability. David Murphy, whom Washington said has played pretty well in left field, lost a ball in the sun. Both plays resulted in runs for the O's.

"Each ball hit has a different plane and a different trajectory, but the one hit yesterday was the perfect storm," Murphy said. "When the sun is low and the ball is hit high, you have a chance to move around and come at the ball from a different angle so the sun gets out of your line of sight. But that ball was hit on more of a line drive, and there wasn't time to maneuver around to get the sun out of the way. You have to use your instincts and fight the best you can. That's what I did, and the sun won."

Washington said these plays happen at times, but the defense has generally saved his club in the midst of its offensive struggles and pitching injuries.

"Every one of those plays we didn't make that extended innings, we usually make those plays," Washington said. "We just didn't make them in the first three games out of the break."