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Rangers-Blue Jays Preview

Sep 6, 2010 - 10:13 PM By NOEY KUPCHAN STATS Writer

Texas (75-61) at Toronto (70-66), 7:07 p.m. EDT

The Texas Rangers would probably like to have Cliff Lee on the mound as they look to end a four-game losing streak. Scott Feldman, though, will take the ball and try to help them snap out of their funk.

With Lee suffering through a back injury, the AL West-leading Rangers will look to avoid dropping five in a row for the first time since the first month of the season when Feldman faces the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night.

Lee recently got a cortisone shot in his back after going 0-3 with an 8.28 ERA in his last five starts, and the Rangers decided that he wouldn't make his scheduled start Tuesday.

"We're going to err on the side of caution," general manager Jon Daniels told the Rangers' official website.

Feldman (6-9, 5.43) has had a disappointing season after going 17-8 for the Rangers (75-62) last year and was sent to the bullpen shortly after Texas acquired Lee from Seattle prior to the trade deadline.

The right-hander will have a chance to redeem himself as he comes off the disabled list to start against Toronto (71-66). Feldman, who hasn't pitched since Aug. 21 at Baltimore due to a right knee injury, allowed two runs over four innings in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Feldman's last win as a starter came June 18 at Houston, and he has not started a game since July 24.

Texas opened this four-game series with a 7-2 loss Monday, falling for the seventh time in nine games. Manager Ron Washington said he's seen "a little bit of everything" during the poor run.

"One day it might be the pitching, one day it might be the defense, one day it might be us not putting enough runs on the board," Washington said. "We've just got to work our way through this, and we will."

The Rangers will be without three-time All Star Josh Hamilton, who leads the majors with a .361 batting average, for the third game in a row after he injured his ribs Saturday. There is no timetable for his return.

"Not the best," Hamilton replied when asked about his condition. "I can't say for sure but all signs point to not soon. It's not good. I feel like I have been in a car wreck."

Taking the mound for the Blue Jays will be Shaun Marcum (11-7, 3.53), who has a chance to match his career high for wins set in 2007.

He has given up one run over six innings in each of his last two outings but has not received a decision. The right-hander has a 1.93 ERA over his last four starts, striking out 22 and walking five in 28 innings.

Despite going 1-0 against Texas in his career, Marcum has posted a 5.33 ERA in seven appearances.

Toronto has outscored Texas 48-26 in winning six straight since dropping the first meeting this season. Jose Bautista and Vernon Wells have combined for nine home runs in those seven matchups against the Rangers, who have lost six in a row overall at Rogers Centre.

Toronto leads the majors with 211 homers and hit three in Monday's series opener.