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Rangers-Blue Jays Preview

Sep 6, 2010 - 1:05 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Texas (75-60) at Toronto (69-66), 1:07 p.m. EDT

Texas' 10-game road trip has turned sour after a positive start, and a visit to Toronto could make it hard for the Rangers to get back on track.

The AL West-leading Rangers look to avoid a fourth consecutive loss overall and sixth straight to the Blue Jays on Monday night.

Texas (75-61) opened the first of two remaining 10-game road trips by winning two of three at Kansas City before being swept in a three-game set against AL Central-leading Minnesota over the weekend.

The Rangers, owners of an eight-game lead in the West, scored three runs in the ninth inning Sunday before third base coach Dave Anderson was called for interfering with runner Michael Young for the final out of a 6-5 loss to the Twins. While rounding third, Young appeared to tap hands with Anderson before stopping and scrambling back to the bag.

Manager Ron Washington did not agree with the call and said he was going to talk to either Bob Watson or Frank Robinson in the commissioner's office.

"It's really frustrating," second baseman Ian Kinsler said. "You get the game taken away from you, that's what it feels like."

The defeat added to the frustration for the Rangers, who were outscored 22-12 by the Twins over the weekend and will be without AL batting leader Josh Hamilton for an undetermined time.

Hamilton sustained bruised ribs running into the left-field wall Saturday and the All-Star outfielder isn't sure when he'll be able to return to the lineup.

"I have no clue when I'll be back," said Hamilton, who is hitting .361 with 31 home runs and 97 RBIs. "I really don't. Your guess is as good as mine."

That might not bode well for Texas, which has hit .214 and been outscored 41-22 while going 1-5 against the Blue Jays this season. Swept at Toronto in May, Texas has lost five in a row and 10 of 13 at Rogers Centre.

Romero (11-8, 3.60 ERA) has allowed two runs and struck out 22 over 22 1-3 innings while going 1-1 in three starts versus Texas. He improved to 1-0 with a 0.56 ERA in two starts this season after matching a career high with 12 strikeouts during a five-hit, 6-0 home win over Texas on May 15.

The left-hander allowed five runs, five walks and three hits in 7 1-3 innings of a 13-5 win at Tampa Bay on Tuesday. He is 4-1 with a 3.81 ERA in his last seven starts.

Though Young is 1 for 9 with four strikeouts versus Romero, he is 10 for 25 in his last six games overall.

Texas' Tommy Hunter (12-2, 3.64) tries for a fourth straight win when he takes the ball Monday in place of Cliff Lee, who was pushed back and now is expected to miss his Tuesday start due to back soreness.

Hunter allowed two runs and overcame four walks in 5 2-3 innings of a 4-3 win at Kansas City on Wednesday. He has a 3.38 ERA while winning three straight starts.

The right-hander is 1-0 with a 7.50 ERA in two starts versus Toronto - both at home.

Vernon Wells has never faced Hunter but is 8 for 22 with a triple, five home runs and 11 RBIs in six games versus Texas this season. He hit one of his team's three homers as the Blue Jays (70-66) snapped a three-game skid with a 7-3 win at Yankee Stadium on Sunday.

Toronto has hit 14 of its major league-leading 208 home runs versus Texas.