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White Sox-Rangers Preview

Apr 29, 2010 - 5:53 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Chicago (8-13) at Texas (10-11), 2:05 p.m. EDT

Texas continued an offensive surge with its most recent win over the Chicago White Sox. The Rangers, though, will point to their fielding as the most critical component to their turnaround.

The Rangers look to complete a three-game sweep of the White Sox on Thursday.

Texas (10-11) also will try to move back to .500 for the first time since it was 5-5 after a loss to the Yankees on April 16. That was part of a six-game losing streak, but the Rangers have bounced back to win five of seven, including 6-5 over the White Sox (8-13) on Wednesday

Rich Harden earned his first win and the Rangers turned four double plays. They have recorded 13 of their 25 double plays this season in the last seven games.

"The defense played great," Harden said. "The plan is to get the ball in play. We have solid infielders who can turn those double plays."

That fielding would prove critical as Texas scored five runs in the first inning off Jake Peavy before being forced to hold on. Carlos Quentin hit a three-run homer in the sixth and the White Sox added two in the ninth while putting the tying run at first base, but Juan Pierre grounded out to end the game.

Quentin, who came in hitting .162, went 2 for 3 to snap a 2-for-36 slide.

"One of those frustrating nights," A.J. Pierzynski, who had two hits to break out of a 1-for-26 slump, told the White Sox's official website. "It was weird because it seemed like we had bases loaded or guys all over every inning and couldn't score."

Texas, which is averaging 5.1 runs over the last seven games, will face Gavin Floyd (0-2, 8.38 ERA), who gave up five runs in 6 1-3 innings against Seattle on Friday, but didn't get a decision as Chicago rallied for a 7-5 win.

Floyd is 0-1 with a 9.35 ERA in two career starts against the Rangers - both in Arlington. He did not face them last season.

A 17-game winner a year ago, Texas' Scott Feldman (1-2, 5.40) is also struggling as he tries to avoid dropping his third straight start. In losses to New York and Detroit, the right-hander has allowed 12 runs - eight earned - and six walks in only six innings.

Feldman is 1-1 with a 4.11 ERA in seven appearances with two starts against the White Sox.

Texas will be looking for its fifth straight home win over the White Sox, and 10th in 12 meetings in Arlington.

Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said second baseman Gordon Beckham will be back in the lineup after being given Wednesday off. He's hitting .205 with a homer and three RBIs this season.

"Like I say every day, you can't come here and think you're carrying this ballclub," Guillen said. "This is about 25 guys, not about one. He's trying to do too much, he's desperate to do good."