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. Gary Harris Nuggets 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." Arron Afflalo Nuggets Jersey . These days, just about anyone can get a taste of the friendship that has blossomed between All-Star Kevin Durant and Oklahoma City Thunder teammate James Harden, most famous in the past two weeks or so for the elbow to the head he took from the Los Angeles Lakers Metta World Peace. Alex English Nuggets Jersey .ca! Hi Kerry, Im sure youve received many emails wondering what your take is on the Spezza goal that looked like Neil blatantly kicked it in while standing directly in the middle of the crease where, you know, usually a goalie is to make a save but couldnt be due to Neil being there! Thanks! Jon - Westfield, MA Jon: Lets first ask Henrik Lundqvist what he thought of the scoring of the Sens second goal with . http://www.nuggetsproshop.com/Jusuf-Nurkic-Nuggets-Jersey/ .C. -- The Charlotte Bobcats said head coach Steve Clifford underwent a successful procedure Friday to have two stents placed in his heart. DENVER -- The St. Louis Cardinals successfully pitched around Troy Tulowitzki. So there was Justin Morneau, waiting to make them regret it. Morneau hit a three-run homer and drove in six runs as the Colorado Rockies beat the Cardinals 10-5 on Tuesday night to snap a seven-game losing streak. "This was obviously a game we needed," said Morneau, who was batting cleanup. Morneau is making a compelling case to be an All-Star selection, which would be all the more special because its in Minnesota where he began his career. Morneau is hitting .304 with 13 homers and providing valuable protection for Tulowitzki. "If I dont get it done, he seems to get it done," Tulowitzki said. "Hes been a nice addition to our ball club. Without a doubt, hes All-Star worthy." Jorge De La Rosa (7-6) allowed five runs, four earned, in seven innings. He is the first Rockies starter to earn a win since June 12. Nick Greenwood (1-1) pitched 1 2-3 innings in relief of starter Shelby Miller, who left in the third with back tightness but believes he will be back in time for his next start. Greenwood surrendered Morneaus homer on a hanging slider in the fourth. Morneau had an RBI single in the first and a two-run single in the seventh that gave Colorado some breathing room. "Hes having a heck of a season," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. The Rockies finished with 17 hits one night after managing just three when they were shut out at home for the first time in nearly a year. Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run homer for St. Louis and Matt Holliday had another productive day at Coors Field against his former team, going 2 for 5. He is hitting .545 in his last five games at this park. De La Rosa finished strong, striking out Allen Craig to end the seventh with Holliday on first. St. Louis had something brewing in the eighth with the bases loaded and two outs. But Adam Ottavino struck out pinch-hitter Jon Jay. Pinch-hitter Drew Stubbs added an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning with a solo homer to left. Charlie Blackmon later added an RBI single. LaTroy Haawkins finished the ninth in a non-save situation. Jamal Murray Jersey. Brandon Barnes made a diving catch deep in right to bring what was left of the crowd to its feet in appreciation. "I thought he had no shot at that ball," Weiss said. "Great play by Brandon. Hes not afraid to get dirty. Hes not afraid to leave his feet." The Cardinals scored two runs courtesy of crazy bounces. In the fourth, a hustling Peter Bourjos scored from second on Tony Cruzs high bouncer off the plate to second baseman DJ LeMahieu. An inning later, a slow roller possibly grazed Hollidays arm -- replays were inconclusive -- as he sprinted toward third, the ball taking a funny hop past Tulowitzki and rolling into left field. Holliday easily ran home as Tulowitzki protested. Weiss came out to argue the ruling, but the play wasnt reviewed and the run stood to cut Colorados lead to 6-5. The Cardinals rotation appeared to take another hit with Miller leaving the game. The right-hander arched his back in discomfort soon after delivering a pitch to De La Rosa. Manager Mike Matheny and a trainer instantly trotted out to check on Miller, who took a few warm-up tosses before being taken out for Greenwood. "I could still throw the baseball. It was just kind of a nagging little sting," explained Miller, who went 2 2-3 innings and surrendered three runs. "But nothing that we cant come back from. "At the end of the day, I didnt really execute pitches at all. So, obviously, it was disappointing and frustrating." St. Louis already is missing Michael Wacha (right shoulder stress reaction) and Jaime Garcia (left shoulder inflammation), who both went on the 15-day disabled list Sunday. NOTES: Cardinals LHP Marco Gonzales will make his major league debut Wednesday. Gonzales was a high school standout in nearby Fort Collins, and his dad, Frank Gonzales, is a pitching coach in the Rockies minor league system. ... Rockies RHP Christian Bergman has a broken left hand and will not make his start Wednesday. The Rockies are expected to bring up LHP Yohan Flande from Triple-A Colorado Springs. 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