p 10 after win Setback for Roland Garros plans Murray brushes asid

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The dissatisfaction Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels feels about the team missing the playoffs is no reflection of how he regards manager Ron Washington. Gio Urshela Jersey . While the Rangers arent in the playoffs for the first time in four years, Daniels said Thursday that he feels "as strong about" Washington as he ever has. Washington has only next season remaining on his contract, but Daniels plans to sit down with him to discuss that situation. Texas has averaged more than 91 wins a year the past five seasons and made its only two World Series appearances in that span. Asked if it was a fair assumption Washington would get a contract extension, Daniels replied, "That would be my preference." The GM said he hadnt yet had an opportunity to speak with ownership about that. During more than 45 minutes discussing the season, Daniels also acknowledged that major league strikeout leader Yu Darvish (13-9, 277 strikeouts) dealt with a nerve issue in his lower back for than a month at the end of the season. The pitcher had an injection Wednesday and was flying home to Japan for about a month. The Rangers expect him to be fully healthy by next spring. For the second year in a row since their AL championship seasons in 2010 and 2011, the Rangers were done after losing a must-win game in their 163rd game. They lost in the first AL wild-card game at home last year and this week missed the playoffs with 91 wins after losing at home to Tampa Bay in the majors first wild-card tiebreaker game since 2007. "On one hand, weve averaged over 90 wins the last five years, weve had a lot of success organizationally, a lot of individuals having a lot of success. ... Were in the middle of what we feel is a tremendous run," Daniels said. "At the same time, one-and-done is not good enough. Its two years in a row weve been in this spot, and it hurts. I can tell you we want more." Daniels had just completed his first year as GM when he fired Buck Showalter after the 2006 season and replaced him with the longtime Oakland third-base coach who then had no major league managerial experience. Washington now is the teams winningest manager (611-522) after seven seasons. "To the degree that that was any speculation (about his job) late in the year ... that was always rumour mill-driven," Daniels said. "I feel the same way, just as strong about Wash as I ever have." After an AL-best record of 20-7 in August and with a two-game lead in the AL West, the Rangers started September with a 5-15 slide. That included being swept in a six-game homestand by Pittsburgh and Oakland, though they won all seven games on their last homestand to force the tiebreaker. It was the second year in a row a September slump cost the Rangers the AL West title. There was a 4-9 finish to the 2012 regular season. The Rangers staff ERA of 3.62 was their best since 1983. But after losing sluggers Josh Hamilton and Mike Napoli in free agency last winter, their 730 runs were the fewest in a full season since 1992. " Who would have thought five, six years ago wed be talking about the pitching being the strength of the club," Daniels said. And the core of the starting rotation is still signed for multiple years, including Darvish and left-handers Derek Holland (10-9) and Matt Harrison, the years opening day starter who pitched only twice before two operations on a herniated disk in his lower back. Darvish didnt pitch past the sixth inning in any of his last three starts, though the Rangers won each of those games. Texas was 0-6 his six previous starts, five of them one-run games (including consecutive 1-0 losses). Daniels said the nerve started bothering Darvish in August, and that the team agreed with the pitchers decision not to have the injection during the season. "Effectively he had a nerve issue in his lower back that caused him to use strength after a period of time in his right leg," Daniels said. "He wasnt as powerful as he wanted to be after being out there for an extended period. ... He chose not to have injection because it would have required him to miss a start. He did not want to do that, he wanted to take the ball every five days. I commend him for that." Billy Martin Yankees Jersey . Seriously. Seven years of losing has brought many different faces, players and management, to the annual pre-season get-to-know-the-team round up. New York Yankees Pro Shop . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Defensive Depth TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun is reporting the Toronto Maple Leafs have considerable interest in unrestricted free-agent defenceman Dan Boyle. https://www.cheapyankees.com/741g-thurman-munson-jersey-yankees.html . -- The Green Bay Packers have signed quarterback Graham Harrell to the active roster from the practice squad and placed tight end Andrew Quarless on injured reserve.Andy Murray claimed the 40th singles title of his career and fifth of the year by beating Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets in the final of the China Open in Beijing. The world No 2 saw off an aggressive but inconsistent Dimitrov 6-4 7-6 (7-2) in one hour, 57 minutes.Murray is hoping to replace Novak Djokovic as the worlds No 1-ranked player and his victory in China closes his deficit to the Serb by 500 points to 4,195. Konta misses out on title Johanna Konta was beaten by Agnieszka Radwanska in the China Open final Murray said: It was a great week for me. Todays match was a very high-level match. Grigor fought right to the end and made it extremely tough to finish it in two sets.Its been an excellent week and Im very happy with the way that I have played the last couple of matches. I will look forward to Shanghai now. Murrays victory was built on his serve Dimitrov gifted Murray a break of serve in the opening game of the match courtesy of two double faults but recovered well and began bombarding the Scot with heavy forehands from the baseline.However, Murray comfortably saw out the first set thanks largely to succeess rates of 73 per cent on his first serve and 68 per cent on his second serve. Mike Tauchman Yankees Jersey. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. It looked like he would cruise to victory when he broke Dimitrov for the second time to move 4-2 ahead in the second set, but the Bulgarian then caused a major shock by breaking to love as Murray was pegged back to 5-5.Murray briefly looked rattled, but he took the set to a tie break and wrapped up the title by dominating it 7-2.Dimitrov said: Im just glad that I fought so hard this tournament. It meant a lot to me. Andy is one of the toughest competitors out there - no doubt.On to Shanghai. I never had good results out here in China and Im finally happy I did this time. Hopefully I can continue like that for the rest of the year.Murrays previous wins this season came at Wimbledon, the Olympic Games, Rome Masters and Aegon Championships.He will now travel to the Shanghai Masters, which started on Sunday.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Konta into top 10 after win Setback for Roland Garros plans Murray brushes aside Ferrer Murray wins battle of Britain ' ' '