Michael

Young

He has been the main reason the Rangers are still in the AL west pennant race.

As the Rangers were eliminated from the playoffs last evening, Young did not seem too enthused about his milestone.

Showalter refused to say that Young would be the starting second baseman. He may be planning to keep both Hank Blalock and Mark Teixeira, using Blalock at second base several times of a week. ''There are a lot of ways to have young players start their first year in the big leagues,’' Showalter said. ''There are ways to make sure they play four or five days out of seven.’'

Eric Young went 2-for-5 with two RBI and an error in his place last night.

GM John Hart indicated that the team would speak with Young’s agent about a deal. “I think there’s a chance that we could do something,” Hart said. “We’re certainly going to have that conversation. This is a guy we like and like a lot.” Young will be eligible for arbiration for the first time following the season.

It had looked like Young, who could play either middle-infield position this season, might follow Hank Blalock in getting a four- or five-year deal.

A reward for moving to shortstop? Young and the Rangers need to get a one-year deal done by Wednesday, the major league deadline. They could add an extension if an agreement is reached after that.

Young has served as the backup shortstop in the past and Blalock played second base this spring, but Showalter has no interest in using either player at their alternate positions right now. ''Only in an emergency,’' he said. ''We leave them alone.’'

Mark Teixeira and Young hit bases-loaded doubles in back-to-back innings to give the Rangers six of their eight runs. Despite the big decrease in homers, Young is on target for his first 100-RBI season. He’s hitting nearly 100 points higher with RISP than with the bases empty, and he’s now 7-for-9 with 18 RBI with the bases loaded.

That’s more like it. The All-Star Game MVP entered with a .255/.292/.418 line in July. He’s batting .312 with nine homers overall.