White Sox 4 - 3 Rangers
Final
  for this game

Rangers send Holland to hill to face ChiSox

Apr 7, 2012 - 2:35 PM

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(Sports Network) - The two-time defending American League champions are off to a good start, and Derek Holland, coming off a career-best year, will try to give the Texas Rangers the upperhand again in their season-opening series with the Chicago White Sox.

Holland, who was 16-5 with a 3.95 earned run average in 32 starts last season, signed a five-year, $28.5 million contract with the Rangers last month. The 25-year-old left-hander won 10 of his last 11 decisions in 2011, then added a pair of victories in the postseason. He tied for the American League lead with four shutouts in 2011.

Over his career, Holland has struggled against the White Sox, going 0-2 with a 10.38 ERA in four games (2 starts).

The White Sox will counter with Jake Peavy, who went 7-7 with a 4.92 ERA in 19 games (18 starts) last season. The 18 starts and 111 2/3 innings pitched were his most since 27 and 173 2/3 in 2008 with San Diego, but he didn't pitch after Sept. 6 last year due to a tired arm.

Peavy is 0-2 with an 8.80 ERA in three all-time contests vs. Texas.

Yesterday's season-opener resulted in a loss for new Chicago manager Robin Ventura.

Ian Kinsler hit a solo home run and scored two runs in Texas' 3-2 win. Michael Young singled home the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth.

Colby Lewis struck out nine and allowed two runs on seven hits and one walk in six innings. Joe Nathan picked up his first save as a Ranger with a 1-2-3 ninth.

Josh Hamilton went 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored for Texas, which began its quest for a third straight American League pennant.

"It was a well played and well pitched ballgame out there today and I'm very pleased for what my guys did to walk off the field with a win," Rangers manager Ron Washington said.

Adam Dunn tied an MLB Opening Day record with his eighth home run while John Danks gave up three runs on six hits in six innings.

"Looking back, there's one pitch that I'd really just love to have back and that's the Kinsler pitch. He's hit me well since I've been up here," Danks said.

These teams split eight meetings last season.






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