Matty Ice

Dirk and 6-7 Mike Pelfrey played one-on-one later

Matt Harrison's changing perceptions around here. Stringing together quality stars was expected. Rolling into June healthy and dealing was another.

Harrison notched his sixth win tonight, beating the New York Mets 8-1 in front of 46,000 fans at the Ballpark.

It's becoming the norm. Over his past 37 innings, he's allowed just six earned runs. His ERA has dipped to 3.00. In his last two starts -- 13 innings -- he's struck out 10 and walked just two.

Harrison has also learned to keep the ball in the yard. He's allowed just six homer runs this season. Just one in his last 37 innings.

At 77 innings, he's matched his workload from his nine-win rookie season in 2008. Let's see:

2008
83.2 IP - 100 hits - 57 runs - 31 BBs - 42 Ks - 1.57 WHIP - 5.49 ERA - .300 BAA

2011
84 IP - 72 hits - 34 runs - 34 BBs - 52 Ks - 1.26 WHIP - 3.00 ERA - .238 BAA

Now is the tough part. The weather's getting hotter, teams are getting familiar and Harrison's never pitched this much as a Major Leaguer.

The Rangers are now 3-1 in this 18-game stretch before the All-Star break, all at home.

Notes:
1. Elvis Andrus sprained his wrist. No word on his injury or how severe it is. Mike Young at shortstop? Andres Blanco? Promote Jurickson Profar from Low-A Hickory? Hoping it's not serious, but if Andrus had to sit for a little while, I don't think it'd be all that bad.

2. Dirk Nowitzki threw out the first pitch. He should stick to basketball.

3. Speaking of, why wasn't Gary Pettis out there catching Nowitzki like he does when some third grader from an elementary school or the principal from South Grand Prairie throws out the first pitch? Dirk got Mike Young.

4. The Rangers have something in Mark Lowe. They just need to be patient with it. He's allowed just two baserunners in last four outings, striking out five. Strikeout tonight came on an 88-mph change-up.

5. Couldn't feel better for Yorvit Torrealba. Three hits gives him 13 in last 10 games. His average is up to .267. A fourth hit just missed from getting out of the park.

6. Really nice to see Josh Hamilton and Adrian Beltre hitting. Each had two-run knocks. Beltre added a pair of opposite-field doubles. Things are good.