Texas’ C.J. Wilson says finger won’t restrict his availability in World Series

Reporting from Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers say they have great chemistry, but not in the way pitcher C.J. Wilson talked about chemistry Friday.

“You have to use a low pH solution, an acidic solution,” Wilson said.

He was not talking about doctoring the ball. He was talking about repairing his finger — specifically, the middle finger on his pitching hand. Wilson was forced from Game 2 of the World Series on Thursday when a blister on the finger turned bloody.

Wilson said he has dealt with a recurring blister problem all season. He said he spends 10 to 15 hours per week caring for the finger.

He said he shaves down the layers of the blister with a razor blade.

“That is very stressful, because I am not a trained orthopedic surgeon,” Wilson said, deadpan.

He then applies glue to the freshly exposed skin, files away the extra glue with an emery board, then soaks the finger in that acidic solution to harden the skin.

Wilson said the blister would not limit his availability for the rest of the World Series. In the meantime, just as players meet with equipment company representatives to discuss bats and gloves, Wilson met Friday with the representative of a company offering him high-quality glue for his finger.

“Medical-grade, flexible super glue,” Wilson said.

See ya, Philly

If the San Francisco Giants’ Jonathan Sanchez pitches into the fourth inning in Game 3 on Saturday, his performance will be an improvement over his last outing. In Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, Sanchez was removed after he hit Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies in the third inning, but not before Utley rolled the ball back toward the mound and Sanchez responded with a verbal volley.

Sanchez declined to talk about the incident Friday.

“We’re in the World Series against Texas,” he said. “The Phillies are at home.”

Tunnel vision

As expected, Rangers Manager Ron Washington wasn’t going to let the world know whether he planned to stick with Tommy Hunter as his Game 4 starter or go with Cliff Lee on short rest.

“The only thing I’m thinking about is Colby [Lewis] tomorrow,” Washington said. “I can’t answer that.”

Lee has made all eight of his postseason starts on at least four days’ rest. The Rangers could have him available to start in Game 4 and a possible Game 7 if they moved him in front of Hunter to face Madison Bumgarner.

Hits and misses

Lewis hopes he will be able to maintain his normal focus even though the Rangers need a strong start from him to get back in the Series. “I want to keep the same mind-set,” he said. “If you try to get too amped or too overly confident, I think you get yourself in trouble.” … Washington said he never considered using closer Neftali Feliz in Game 2 “because if I would have went to Feliz right there, he would have had to do something he’s never done before, and I wasn’t going to challenge him like that.” … Washington indicated he’s probably going to give left-handed-hitting first baseman Mitch Moreland a start against Giants left-hander Sanchez in Game 3. … The Giants plan to use Pablo Sandoval at designated hitter Saturday. Sandoval has not appeared in the World Series; he had three hits in 14 at-bats during the first two rounds of the playoffs.

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