ARLINGTON – Hank Blalock doesn't want to talk about the uncertainty of his future with the Rangers. After all, it isn't up to him.

The 27-year-old continues to let his bat do his talking for him. His two-run homer with two outs and two strikes in the seventh inning was the difference in a 6-4 win against Oakland on Tuesday, and it put the Rangers back in second place by a half-game over the A's with four games left.

It was the club's 76th win, one more than last season.

Blalock is hitting .346 in September with six homers and 17 RBIs and has at least one run, an extra base-hit and an RBI in each of the last five games. He hit his 10th homer Tuesday, giving him double-digit homers for the sixth consecutive season.

He's certainly making a case to be in the Rangers' lineup next season. The Rangers could exercise his $6.2 million option for 2009 and either play him or trade him. The club also could buy out his contract for $250,000.

"I don't know what the club is going to do," Blalock said. "I don't worry about things that I can't control. All I can do is prepare and work hard to stay healthy and play well every day."

Blalock's bat, more than his glove, will determine if he's back in a Rangers uniform next season. But he's adjusting well to first base and said he's getting more comfortable with every game. He's played 30 games at the position.

"We're seeing the real Hank again," general manager Jon Daniels said. "We're going to factor that in, look at the best defensive alignment for the team and make a decision."

Where Blalock fits in if he's brought back is another question that Daniels would have to answer. Does Blalock play first? Does he play DH? Can he move back to third if the club wants Chris Davis at first?

"I wouldn't rule out playing third again, but I feel like I can have a longer career at first and I like playing defense rather than being the DH," Blalock said. "I like it here. This is all I've known since I was drafted. I'd like to go to the playoffs and experience that with this team and the guys like Mike Young that have been here."

Catalanotto wonders about 2009: Frank Catalanotto, who partially blames himself for his lack of playing time this season, isn't sure what his role will be next season.

"It could be as a player that comes in to give guys a break, pinch hit when needed and be a veteran presence in the clubhouse and on the bench," said Catalanotto, who will make $4 million in 2009, the final season of a three-year deal. "I'll work hard and do whatever they ask me and whatever I can to help this team win."

Catalanotto, 34, said he got off to a poor start and didn't force himself into the lineup. He is batting .275 with two homers and 21 RBIs in 244 at-bats.

Exit interviews: Daniels, Rangers manager Ron Washington, strength and conditioning coach Jose Vazquez and the coaching staff held exit interviews with every player on the roster. They discussed goals for 2009, how things went for each player in 2008 and suggested off-season workouts for each player.

"We got a chance to hear their feelings and we also got a chance to express ours," Washington said. "Sometimes during the course of the season, you don't get that opportunity. It's not a bashing session."