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Rangers-Red Sox Preview

Jul 16, 2010 - 3:56 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Texas (50-38) at Boston (51-37), 7:10 p.m. EDT

A minor knee injury isn't likely to keep Josh Hamilton from raising his batting average even higher Friday night.

After moving into the top spot in that category, Hamilton will likely remain in the lineup following a scare as the Texas Rangers continue their four-game series with the injury-riddled Boston Red Sox.

Texas (51-38) ended a four-game losing streak in its first contest following the All-Star break, beating Boston 7-2 on Thursday night to maintain a comfortable lead in the AL West.

After going 1 for 3 in the All-Star game, Hamilton had three hits versus the Red Sox (51-38) to take over the league lead with a .351 batting average. But the slugger left in the seventh with a sore right knee after leading off the inning with his third double of the game.

"It was just tight," he said. "I could have stayed in and kept playing. I thought it might be a good time for a break."

Hamilton is hitting .350 with two homers, seven doubles and 11 RBIs in 10 games at Fenway Park. His latest performance against the Red Sox helped the Rangers come out of the break strong after they were swept at home in a four-game series by major league-worst Baltimore.

"I think the break came at the right time," manager Ron Washington said. "We were tired. When you play hard for as long as we did, it takes something out of you. We needed the days off, and it couldn't have come at a better time."

Boston, meanwhile, continues to struggle. The Red Sox have lost six of eight, with injuries continuing to be a major problem.

Regular starters Dustin Pedroia (foot), Adrian Beltre (hamstring), Victor Martinez (thumb) and Jacoby Ellsbury (ribs) were all out of the lineup.

Beltre seems to be the closest to returning. He was able to play in Tuesday's All-Star game after tweaking his left hamstring Sunday at Toronto.

"It is not as bad as people thought. A couple of days and I should be ready to go," Beltre told the Red Sox's official website. "I was ready to play, but (manager Terry Francona) wouldn't let me. I did some exercises today to get it to be stronger and be the best we can be."

Beltre is batting .330 with 13 homers and 55 RBIs.

The Red Sox, who have been held to five runs over their last two games, now have to contend with Rangers right-hander Colby Lewis (8-5, 3.33 ERA).

Lewis has a 1.59 ERA in winning his last two road starts, striking out 19 in 17 innings. He was at home for his last outing, surrendering three runs while striking out eight in six innings to earn a win in Texas' 4-3 victory over Cleveland on July 8.

Lewis has not received a decision in two career starts versus the Red Sox, posting a 4.09 ERA.

Boston will counter with Felix Doubront (1-1, 4.22), who has been called up from Triple-A Pawtucket to help make up for the absence of Clay Buchholz (hamstring) and Josh Beckett (back). The 22-year-old left-hander lost his last outing, giving up two runs and four walks in 5 2-3 innings as Boston lost 3-2 to Tampa Bay on July 6.

Doubront has never faced the Rangers.