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Royals-Rangers Preview

May 9, 2010 - 5:07 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Kansas City (11-19) at Texas (16-14), 3:05 p.m. EDT

Ian Kinsler has given the Texas Rangers a boost since returning to the lineup. The Kansas City Royals are finding that out first-hand.

After a clutch performance, Kinsler looks to continue his strong play as the Rangers try for a four-game sweep of the Royals on Sunday.

Kinsler has helped put Texas (17-14) in position to sweep a home series for the first time this season. He hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning to lift the Rangers to a 3-2 win on Saturday night.

The second baseman finished with two hits and helped turn two double plays. Texas improved to 7-2 with Kinsler in the starting lineup after he missed the first 21 games due to a sprained ankle.

"I'm happy for Kinsler," manager Ron Washington said.

Kinsler still hasn't hit a home run after connecting a career-high 31 times last season. Still, he's batting .343, and is 5 for 11 in this series.

Kinsler also is hitting .412 with four homers and 12 RBIs in 18 home games versus the Royals, and .364 with seven homers and 24 RBIs in 27 contests overall against them.

With struggling starter Scott Feldman (1-3, 5.45 ERA) set to take the mound for the Rangers, they may need another big performance from Kinsler. Feldman is coming of his worst start of the season, giving up seven runs and 10 hits in seven innings of a 7-6 loss to Oakland on Tuesday.

The right-hander, though, has posted a 1.20 ERA while winning both his career starts against the Royals.

Kansas City (11-20) will counter with Luke Hochevar (3-1, 5.03), who has been the beneficiary of strong support from his lineup, getting six runs or more to work with in four of his six starts.

The right-hander was sharp in his last outing, giving up an unearned run in six innings of a 7-2 victory over Chicago on Tuesday.

He was able to rebound after getting tagged for nine runs and 11 hits in 2 2-3 innings of an 11-1 loss to Tampa Bay on April 29. Hochevar insists he didn't make any adjustments to his mechanics between starts.

"I didn't change anything, stuck with what I've been doing," Hochevar said. "Trusting my stuff, trying to stay positive, go out and try to throw a good ballgame."

In his only start against the Rangers, Hochevar struck out a career-high 13, and gave up three runs in seven innings to get the win in the Royals' 6-3 victory July 25.

The Royals would certainly welcome a similar performance from Hochevar. They've lost a season-high four straight entering the finale of a season-high 11-game road trip.

Kinsler is hitless in three career at-bats against Hochevar, the top overall pick in the 2006 draft.