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Moreland powers Rangers over White Sox

Aug 20, 2011 - 5:41 AM Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Mitch Moreland hit two home runs to lead the Texas Rangers past the Chicago White Sox, 7-4, in the opener of a three-game series.

Moreland finished 2-for-4 with five RBI and Josh Hamilton added a go-ahead solo shot in the sixth for the Rangers, who have won 12 of their last 15 games.

Yoshinori Tateyama (2-0) tossed 2 2/3 hitless innings to earn the win. He relieved starter Matt Harrison, who allowed four runs -- three earned -- on four hits over 4 1/3 frames.

Neftali Feliz worked a perfect ninth to record his 25th save of the season.

Jake Peavy (5-6) allowed seven runs on six hits over six frames to suffer the loss. He walked two and struck out five.

"The last couple innings he was missing his spots," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "When he was making a big pitch it seemed like it wasn't in the strike zone."

Carlos Quentin had an RBI double for the White Sox, losers of three straight.

Early on, the White Sox appeared poised for an explosive night.

Juan Pierre began the bottom of the first with a single and promptly stole second. After a Paul Konerko walk, Quentin doubled home Pierre. Alexei Ramirez followed with a single to push across Konerko.

An inning later, Brent Morel led off with his first career triple and scored on Pierre's sac bunt. Morel's hit proved to be the White Sox last of the game.

Peavy held the Rangers hitless through 3 2/3 frames before Michael Young's single. Cruz followed with a double to make it a 3-1 game. After a Mike Napoli walk, Moreland belted a 1-0 cutter into the stands in right center to give Texas the lead.

The White Sox managed to tie the game in the fifth. Gordon Beckham drew a leadoff walk before Pierre laid down a bunt. Harrison fielded the ball and went to second, but Elvis Andrus was unable to haul in the throw as runners reached the corners. Brent Lillibridge followed with a sac fly.

Tateyama relieved Harrison after a Konerko walk and retired Quentin and Ramirez to limit the damage.

A half-inning later Hamilton put the Rangers on top with a leadoff homer. Later in the frame, Napoli reached with a two-out single and Moreland, who has been bothered by a sore right hamstring, followed with a blast to right.

"We're playing really good baseball," said Moreland. "We're pitching, we're playing pretty good defense and we're getting the hits that we need. When you're playing like that, it's a tough team to beat."

Game Notes

Ramirez was tossed by home plate umpire Jeff Nelson in the eighth for arguing a called third strike...The Rangers are 7-1 on their current 10-game road trip...Prior to the game, the White Sox placed pitcher Philip Humber on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a facial contusion. To fill the roster spot, the club purchased the contract of pitcher Josh Kinney from Triple-A Charlotte.