• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Hamilton, Blalock help Rangers topple White Sox

Jul 22, 2008 - 4:44 AM By Gene Chamberlain PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- A little rest worked wonders for Josh Hamilton.

The major league RBI leader came back from a Sunday off to hit a three-run, third-inning home run Monday and trigger a 6-1 victory by the Texas Rangers over the Chicago White Sox.

"He certainly looked fresh tonight," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "I think his concentration was a lot better. "He didn't chase as many pitches as he was chasing. The rest probably did it."

Hamilton's 22nd home run came on a 2-0 pitch from Javier Vazquez after Michael Young drew a two-out walk and Jarrod Saltalamacchia singled. It staked starter Scott Feldman to a 3-0 lead, which he protected by scattering four hits over six innings.

"I would never take a day off," said Hamilton, who added that Washington has a sixth sense about giving players rest. "He's been around the game long enough to know when his players need a day.

"The All-Star break kind of wore me out. It really did. But at the same time I always need a day off. Yeah, (the day off) was good for me."

The victory enabled the Rangers to improve to four games over .500 (52-48), which ties a season-high.

"The real key is how you pitch," Washington said. "I think Feldman did a great job tonight going through that lineup. We got three double plays when it looked like they were trying to mount something.

"He walked two and hit a batter. He kept the ball in play. He threw strikes. They were swinging early and we got outs."

Feldman (4-3) was recalled from Class AA Frisco prior to the game to start in place of injured Eric Hurley (arm soreness). The only run the White Sox got against him was Carlos Quentin's AL-leading 24th home run to begin the fourth.

"I sort of got into trouble a couple times, but I was able to make a good pitch and get a ground ball," Feldman said. "When you're doing that, you've got to have a good defense and we had great defense tonight turning the double plays."

Feldman has had to move from bullpen to starter at different times.

"It didn't faze him," Washington said. "They call him 'swan' because he has cold blood that runs through him. It's just nice to have a guy that if anything happens to someone you can just ask to step in and he gives quality innings."

Texas' Hank Blalock added a two-out, two-run home run in the eighth off reliever Boone Logan. It was his first homer since April 18 at Boston. The other Texas run was charged to Logan when Ian Kinsler's sacrifice fly chased home Chris Davis in the ninth.

Vazquez (7-8) matched a season-high with 10 strikeouts. He walked two and gave up four hits in seven innings.

"If (Vazquez) throws the ball like that it's going to help us in the second half," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He really executed. We didn't back him."

The three straight losses are the most by the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field this season, but they remain a half-game ahead of Minnesota in first place in the AL Central.

"It's time for people to start stepping up and playing better," Guillen said.