ARLINGTON, Texas -- Manager Ron Washington likes the way Josh Hamilton is accepting a leadership role with the Rangers almost as much as he enjoys watching the MVP candidate hit, run and throw.

“Josh is a leader on the bench now,’’ Washington said. “He’s cheerleading, he’s telling guys to take their time, not be in a hurry. Everything he says, he’s doing.’’

The manager said he noticed a positive change in Hamilton this season.

“If you have the ability he has, guys would follow him,’’ Washington said. “About halfway through this season, I noticed a change. I think is maturity. He’s expecting the same things from his teammates he expects from himself.’’

Even when a leader is going badly, Washington said, he can still lead by showing teammates how to handle the situation the right way.

In summing up Hamilton’s performance in Friday’s 10-9 win in 11 innings, Washington said the sellout crowd saw a true five-tool player at work.

“He’s not a just a horse, he’s a thoroughbred.’’

*Third base coach Dave Anderson had a key role in Hamilton’s daring base running play led to the tying run in eighth inning.

Hamilton scored from second base with two outs on Vladimir Guerrero’s infield single.

“Dave waved him home, as he should, in that situation,’’ Washington said. “Basically, we stole a run.

“Don’t get me wrong, Hamilton made a great play to pull it off,’’ Washington said. “But in that situation, it is all about running at full speed. You go full speed all the time for just that kind of situation.’’

Washington said most of the Rangers possess enough speed to score on that kind of play.

*The Rangers have played three emotionally-charged games this week already. Will they be able to carry over the momentum from Friday’s thriller?

In the other dugout, can the Red Sox overcome the frustration of coughing up leads in losses the last two days?

Another big crowd at Rangers Ballpark is waiting to see.

*Ian Kinsler joked that his doctor really isn’t telling him much about his left groin strain that sent him to the disabled list late last month.

“When they did tell me something, I was trying to take advantage by doing more than I was supposed to,’’ Kinsler said.

He said his rehab, while going slower than he likes, is easier to take as long as the team is winning.

*RHP Mark Lowe, the almost forgotten player acquired July 9 in the trade with Seattle that brought Cliff Lee to the Rangers, said he is hoping for a possible return to the mound in mid-September.

“Based on the way things are right now, I will say it will happen,’’ said Lowe, who went on the 60-day after lower back surgery.

*Noting the way the Rangers have battled the last three games with the Yankees and Red Sox, outfielder David Murphy said the team is showing it can play with anybody.

And, yes, he's having fun.

“Just like the other night when I was facing Mariano Rivera, probably the greatest closer in the history of the game, with the game on the line in front of a full house on your home field,’’ Murphy said. “What more could you ask for?’’

*Washington said while Hamilton is capable of stealing 40 bases or more a season, the manager is more comfortable with Hamilton running only in important situations, like his eighth-inning steal of second that led to the tying run on Friday.

“I’d rather have 15 or 20 steals when we need them,’’ the manager said.

*Nelson Cruz’ game-winning home run in the 11th inning was his second walk-off homer of the season. He became the first Ranger to end a game on a homer on the first pitch of an at-bat since Hank Blalock in 2009.