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Rangers expected to unveil Gallo versus White Sox

Jun 2, 2015 - 12:25 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Texas Rangers will get a glimpse of the future Tuesday with top prospect Joey Gallo expected to make his major league debut in the opener of a three-game series versus the Chicago White Sox.

Gallo is expected to have his contract purchased from Double-A Frisco prior to tonight's game and is taking the place of injured third baseman Adrian Beltre (thumb). Gallo, who will most likely head back to the minors when Beltre returns, batted .314 with nine home runs and 31 RBI in 34 games for Frisco.

The 21-year-old left-handed slugger belted 40 home runs in 2013 and topped that mark with 42 a season ago.

"He's uniquely talented and has been productive throughout his minor league career," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told the club's website. "That being said, the big leagues are tough. They're a challenge."

Gallo started the season on the disabled list after undergoing surgery on his left heel on April 3. He then made his debut on April 25.

Texas has been playing well of late with three straight wins and 10 in the last 12 games. The Rangers won the last three meetings of a four-game series with the Boston Red Sox and pulled off a 4-3 win on Sunday thanks to a big hit from Josh Hamilton. Hamilton stroked the game-winning two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Hanser Alberto reached on an error to start the frame, then was sacrificed to second. He moved to third on a Shin-Soo Choo groundout, then Prince Fielder was intentionally walked. Hamilton filled in for Adam Rosales, who himself was a substitute for the injured Adrian Beltre, and drove a pitch to the wall in left center to bring around both runs to end the contest.

"It feels like old times," Hamilton said. "It really does. It's a lot of fun. Coming back home and having some good games against Boston and then having a game like today reminds you of some good times for the Rangers."

Colby Lewis tries to keep the Rangers' momentum going when he takes the mound Tuesday. Lewis is 4-3 in 10 starts with a 4.70 earned run average and is coming off a tough loss at Cleveland on Wednesday, when he allowed 10 runs (9 earned) and 11 hits in only 2 2/3 innings.

Lewis, who was 3-0 in five outings before the Cleveland disaster, has allowed 19 runs over his last three starts and is 5-3 with a 4.40 ERA in 11 career games (9 starts) against the White Sox.

The White Sox are 4-4 on an 11-game road trip and took two of three matchups with the Houston Astros this weekend. In Sunday's 6-0 blanking of the Astros at Minute Maid Park, Adam LaRoche homered and Conor Gillaspie went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI.

John Danks was the main story with a shutout. He allowed 10 hits, struck out six and walked only one batter. He threw 118 pitches, 82 of which were strikes, and became the 10th pitcher in franchise history to reach 1,000 strikeouts with the club.

"I feel like I didn't give in at any point," Danks said. "I was able to throw strikes any time I wanted. I was able to limit walks and home runs."

Jeff Samardzija will try to follow Danks' act when he toes the rubber Tuesday. The right-hander is 4-2 with a 3.84 earned run average in 10 starts and the White Sox are unbeaten in his past three appearances. Samardzija did not record a decision in Wednesday's 5-3 win at Toronto, charged with one unearned run across seven innings with five K's and one walk.

Samardzija has made two career starts against Texas and is 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA.

Texas went 4-2 against Chicago last season and the two clubs will meet again for three games in the Windy City later this month.