SURPRISE, Ariz. – Michael Young doesn't think of himself as a home run hitter. But that doesn't mean he doesn't think he should be hitting more homers for the Texas Rangers.

Young's first blast of the spring came Tuesday, when he belted a 2-0 fastball from Arizona ace Brandon Webb onto the grass hill in right-center. The solo shot was one of two hits for Young in the game, both solid cracks off his quick bat.

The Rangers' shortstop and clubhouse leader had only nine homers last season, his lowest total since his first full season with the team in 2002. Young hit 22 homers in 2004 and 24 in 2005.

"I know that I'm capable of hitting balls out of the ballpark," Young said. "I don't focus on it, but I'm a run producer, and hitting homers produces runs. I go up there thinking that I want to hit balls farther, but not harder."

Young's batting average and run production didn't drop off much despite the lack of power last season. He rebounded from a poor start, trusting his swing even when he was batting .192 on May 3.

AP

Michael Young (10) is congratulated after hitting a grand slam last September, one of only nine home runs he hit last season.

He finished the season with a .315 average and 201 hits, his fifth consecutive season with at least 200 hits and a .300 average. Young also had at least 90 RBIs for the fourth straight year.

"I didn't think I was as consistent mechanically as I would have liked last season," he said. "If I get more consistent, the home runs will follow. I haven't changed a thing with what I'm doing at the plate, only focusing on doing it right every time."

Blalock uninjured in car accident: Hank Blalock was a little sore Tuesday after the car he was driving was rear-ended Monday afternoon.

Blalock, driving his Cadillac Escalade with his wife, Misty, in the front seat and 3-year-old son Trey in the back, was hit from behind as he waited at a stop sign. Blalock said he and his family went to the emergency room, but that everyone is fine.

"A lady smoked us at about 40 mph," he said. "As soon as we heard tires, we got hit hard. Her car got totaled. I got a little whiplash, but I'm not too bad. I should be all right."

Blalock hasn't played in a spring training game since Friday because of soreness on the back of his right shoulder. Rangers manager Ron Washington said he planned to DH Blalock on Tuesday.

If Blalock is up to it, he could play today. If not, Washington said Blalock won't make the trip to Tucson on Thursday.

Loe working lefties: Kameron Loe pitched 1 2/3 innings and gave up four earned runs on Tuesday.

Loe, who pitched more than an inning in a game for the first time since he had surgery in October to clean out bone chips in his right elbow, worked on some different grips on his changeup.

"Some of them were good," said Loe, fighting for a bullpen spot. "I've got to be able to throw that pitch better and not solely rely on the sinker to get lefties out."

Loe faced four left-handed batters Tuesday. He struck out one of them, but the others got a hit, walked and advanced on Loe's throwing error. Lefties hit .328 against him last season.

Hurley looks strong: Eric Hurley impressed pitching coach Mark Connor with how much he learned from his last start.

Hurley gave up one hit and had three strikeouts in making quick work of his three innings.

"He didn't just pop fastballs when he got ahead, but threw good breaking balls," Connor said. "His stuff was better all around."

Rangers hosting event: The Rangers have put together afternoon "chalk talks" for fans interested in season-ticket and mini-plan seats on Saturday from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Fans can see which seats are available and listen to Nolan Ryan, Rusty Greer, Mark McLemore and Tom Grieve. Ryan is talking from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m. about why he joined the Rangers and what he expects in the future.

Briefly: RHP Kevin Millwood will throw two innings in a simulated game today. ...OF Josh Hamilton played centerfield in Tuesday's game. It was his first time in center since Friday, after he complained his legs were sore. Hamilton said it was just spring training stiffness. ...RHP Wes Littleton, away from camp for a few days because of an illness in the family, is expected to return today.