Rangers manager Ron Washington isn't interested in hearing excuses for his team's recent struggles. Washington knows his players are hot and tired. He also knows every player in baseball is hot and tired during these steamy dog days of August. "I haven't played a game, I'm tired," Washington said. "But my mental state is stronger than my physical state. And once your physical state overtakes your mental state, disaster, man. Just that simple." Texas has seen their seven-game lead in the American League West shrink to two games heading into the weekend.