A's-Rangers postponed by rain

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) " A rainout gave the short-handed Oakland Athletics a well-timed night off.

Wednesday's game between Oakland and the Texas Rangers was postponed after a one-hour rain delay and will be made up as part of a doubleheader on May 29.

Earlier Wednesday, the A's placed infielders Nomar Garciaparra and Mark Ellis on the 15-day disabled list with calf problems and were without first baseman Jason Giambi, who was nursing sore hamstrings in both legs.

"Whenever there's an up, there's a down," said A's manager Bob Geren, whose team has lost six of eight. "We're banged up, the day off is nice, but on the other hand we're going to have 28 straight days playing this year, a couple of those."

Geren said left-hander Dallas Braden will start Thursday's series finale as had been scheduled. Left-hander Josh Outman, Wednesday night's scheduled starter, will be pushed back to Sunday against Seattle.

Rangers manager Ron Washington said right-hander Vicente Padilla, Wednesday night's scheduled starter, will move to Thursday.

The Rangers, who have won four of five, wanted to maintain momentum, but Washington was thankful he didn't have his players risk injuries on a wet field.

"There's a day game tomorrow and we didn't want to start after 9 tonight," Washington said. "We didn't want to get anyone hurt."

Garciaparra went on the DL for the 13th time in his major league career. Oakland called up infielder Eric Patterson and right-hander Kevin Cameron from Triple-A Sacramento.

Garciaparra and Ellis came up lame in Tuesday night's 5-4 loss to Texas. Also leaving Tuesday night's game were rookie left-hander Brett Anderson, with a blistered finger, and reliever Santiago Casilla, with a sore ankle.

Geren said Casilla is day-to-day. Anderson's finger could be healed in time for his next start Monday night at home against the Los Angeles Angels.

The day off was beneficial for Giambi, who said he could be back at first base on Thursday.

"I wouldn't have been able to play today," Giambi said. "This definitely helps me out. I've been treating it all day and it's feeling a little better. We'll see tomorrow how it is."

Geren had Eric Chavez penciled into Wednesday night's lineup in place of Giambi. A six-time Gold Glove third baseman, Chavez was set to play first base for the first time since 2001. Chavez had played in only three of the previous 12 games due to a sore right elbow.

Chavez needs a few more days before he will be able to throw from third base, but he can swing the bat, so Geren wanted him back in the lineup.

Oakland has a team batting average of .233 and has eight homers, fewest in the majors.

Notes: The A's were rained out for the second time this season. An April 20 game at the New York Yankees was washed out. ... The Rangers had their first rainout of the season. ... Texas OF Josh Hamilton reported improvement in his sore ribs, but still has pain and will miss a few more games. ... Washington celebrated his 57th birthday. ... Rangers RHP Kris Benson, on the 15-day DL with elbow tendinitis, will throw a bullpen session before Thursday's game. ... Texas (10-10) has a chance to finish over .500 in April for the first time in Washington's three seasons as manager. The Rangers were 10-15 and 10-18 in his first two Aprils.