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Rays-Rangers Preview

Jul 5, 2009 - 4:55 AM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Tampa Bay (44-37) at Texas (43-35), 8:05 p.m. EDT

Before the Texas Rangers depart for another showdown in the AL West, they have business to finish Sunday night.

The Rangers try to complete a three-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays in the finale of a nine-game homestand.

After Sunday's game, Texas (44-35) will start a seven-game road trip Monday against AL West opponents with a series against the Los Angeles Angels. The Rangers, who won two of three from the Angels on this home stretch, are tied with Los Angeles atop the division.

They would be able to bring plenty of momentum with them if they finish their first three-game home sweep of Tampa Bay (44-38) since April 21-23, 2006. Texas opened the series with a 3-1 win on Friday, and won its fourth straight Saturday with a 12-4 victory.

Andruw Jones homered and drove in four runs and Michael Young added a three-run double as Texas chased Tampa Bay rookie starter David Price in the second inning Saturday. Nelson Cruz and David Murphy each added three hits.

Texas was next to last in the AL with 99 runs scored in June. The Rangers may have broken out of their woes, scoring 33 in their winning streak.

"We weren't swinging the way we're capable of," Young said. "But the best thing we can do is stay confident, stay the course, and keep working hard."

The Rays are trying to avoid losing four straight for the first time since a five-game slide May 24-28. Jason Bartlett and Dioner Navarro each homered in Saturday's loss.

Left fielder Carl Crawford doubled in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. He is 20 for 49 (.408) with eight runs scored in that span.

Tampa Bay right-hander Matt Garza (6-5, 3.45 ERA) seeks a third straight victory Sunday. He improved to 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA in his last two starts after allowing one run over seven innings and walking three Tuesday in a 4-1 victory at Toronto.

"Garza struggled a little bit with command," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "But overall, his stuff is so good he was able to fight through some moments."

Garza has pitched well against Texas, going 3-1 with a 1.98 ERA and 26 strikeouts and five walks in four career starts. Young is just 1 for 11 in his career versus him.

Texas will start Scott Feldman (6-2, 4.09), who won the first time since June 3 on Tuesday. Feldman gave up three runs over six innings in a 9-5 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

The right-hander retired 13 of the last 14 batters he faced, including 11 in a row after the Angels tied the game in the second inning.

Feldman has made one career start against Tampa Bay, allowing two runs over seven innings in a 5-4 loss on June 7, 2008. He did not receive a decision.