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White Sox-Rangers Preview

Jul 3, 2010 - 6:53 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Chicago (41-37) at Texas (47-32), 8:05 p.m. EDT

The Texas Rangers posted the major leagues' best record in June, but have opened July with two straight losses.

Looking to get things going again, the AL West-leading Rangers turn to Tommy Hunter, who will celebrate his 24th birthday by taking the mound against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday, trying to keep Texas undefeated in his starts this season.

The Rangers (47-32) opened a three-game series against Chicago (41-37) with a 5-3 loss Friday. They led 3-1 after six innings, but allowed a pair of runs in the seventh before Neftali Feliz gave up a two-out, two-run double to Mark Kotsay in the ninth.

"We had the game won going into the seventh inning, we just didn't keep them from scoring," manager Ron Washington said.

Texas, which went a major league-best 21-6 in June, has dropped three of four including its first two games of July. The Rangers still hold a 3 1/2-game division lead over the second-place Los Angeles Angels, who lost in extra innings Friday to Kansas City.

Looking to avoid their first three-game losing streak since a four-game slide May 26-30, the Rangers will turn to Hunter (4-0, 2.15 ERA), who takes the mound on his birthday seeking an encore for an outstanding June.

Hunter began the season on the disabled list with a left oblique strain, and then spent time in the minors. Since returning to the majors June 5, he's been outstanding. He hasn't given up more than two earned runs in any of his five starts, all of which have resulted in Texas victories.

The right-hander pitched six innings against Houston on Sunday, allowing one run and five hits in the 10-1 win.

Hunter is 10-4 with a 3.67 ERA in 16 career starts in Arlington. He has never faced the White Sox.

Hunter has benefited from an 11.1 run support average, but may not be able to count on that Saturday. Texas has gone 2 for 13 with runners in scoring position during its consecutive losses, and is 11 for 64 overall in those games.

Josh Hamilton, who had a career-best 23-game hitting streak snapped Thursday at Los Angeles, went 1 for 3 with a home run Friday. He's batting .433 against the White Sox this season, and has still hit safely in 22 consecutive games at home.

The Rangers will try to bounce back against White Sox starter John Danks (7-6, 3.62), who had a three-game winning streak snapped Sunday against the Cubs. The left-hander allowed six runs and seven hits in five innings of an 8-6 loss.

The Austin, Texas native is 1-2 with a 4.38 ERA in four career starts against the Rangers.

Chicago will try to win its second straight and 18th out of the last 22 games. Friday's win kept the White Sox within two games of AL Central leader Minnesota and one game behind second-place Detroit.

"This club has shown some good character during this streak," Kotsay said.

Alex Rios had three hits and drove in a pair of runs for Chicago on Friday. He's batting .318 with nine RBIs in his last 10 games.