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Athletics-Rangers Preview

Sep 15, 2009 - 9:39 PM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Oakland (65-78) at Texas (80-63), 8:05 p.m. EDT

With the Texas Rangers' playoff hopes having taken a hit over the weekend, red-hot Scott Feldman is the ideal player to take the mound and help them bounce back.

The location of the start might be less than ideal, however.

Feldman will try for his eighth straight win in the opener of the Rangers' three-game home series against the last-place Oakland Athletics on Monday night.

Texas (80-62) hands the ball to Feldman (16-4, 3.46 ERA) after a disappointing series against Seattle. The Rangers lost two of three and fell four games behind Boston for the AL wild card lead.

Tommy Hunter tossed a six-hitter for his first complete game in a 7-2 victory in the opener of Sunday's doubleheader. Fellow rookie Derek Holland, though, was less impressive in the nightcap, giving up five runs in six innings of a 5-0 loss in which the Rangers were 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position.

Marlon Byrd, who went 9 for 14 with seven RBIs in a three-game sweep of Cleveland earlier in the week, was 2 for 12 against the Mariners and 0 for 8 Sunday.

"We've got 20 games to go," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "We've got to keep taking care of our business."

To do that, Feldman will try to extend his recent domination, allowing one run in 26 1-3 innings while winning his last four starts for a 0.34 ERA. He scattered five hits over seven innings on a 10-0 win over the Indians on Wednesday.

While Feldman is improving his AL Cy Young Award credentials, Washington just wants to see the winning continue.

"I know he's getting credit in Texas, I don't know if he's getting it other places," he said. "As long as he keeps winning ball games, I couldn't care less if he gets (attention) nationally. I'd be nice for Feldman, but it's all about us right now."

The right-hander is looking to join New York's CC Sabathia as the AL wins leader with 17. Detroit's Justin Verlander, who faces Toronto on Monday, also has 16 wins.

Feldman has won eight straight road starts and is 12-1 with a 2.54 ERA away from Arlington this season. At home, it's been a different story as he's 4-3 with a 4.56 ERA.

Feldman won both of his starts against the Athletics this year, allowing four runs and nine hits in 12 innings.

Oakland (64-78), which has won five of seven, failed to complete a three-game sweep of Minnesota after falling 8-0 on Sunday. The Athletics went 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position after plating 44 runs in the previous six contests.

"Unfortunately, we were unable to capitalize on some opportunities that we had," said Rajai Davis, who had three hits and is hitting .400 in his last 15 games.

Oakland begins the final series of this eight-game road trip handing the ball to Brett Tomko (4-3, 4.47), who is making his sixth start with the A's after being released by the Yankees in July.

He allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings of an 11-3 victory over the White Sox on Tuesday.

The right-hander is 1-2 with an 8.74 ERA in five starts against the Rangers. He pitched four scoreless innings of relief in two appearances against them while with New York in June.