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Rays hope to keep rolling vs. Rangers

Jun 7, 2008 - 1:15 PM Tampa Bay (36-25) at Texas (31-32) 8:05 p.m. EDT

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Rays hope to keep their offense rolling Saturday when they visit the Texas Rangers.

The Rays were swept by the Boston Red Sox during the week, culminating in a 7-1 defeat Thursday that included a benches-clearing brawl.

But Tampa Bay found its muscle with the bat in the series opener here on Friday, pounding four homers en route to a 12-4 victory. Scott Kazmir won his sixth straight start while allowing two runs in eight frames and the offense exploded for 11 runs in the final four innings.

One of the best teams in the league at home with a 24-10 record, the Rays are just 12-15 away from Tropicana Field.

Andy Sonnanstine (6-3, 4.96 ERA) will attempt to push that road mark closer to .500 on Saturday. The righthander has allowed at least eight hits in each of his last six starts but has limited the damage by allowing just 13 walks in 74 1/3 innings this season.

Sonnanstine suffered a loss to Texas on May 27, allowing seven runs - two earned - and 10 hits while striking out seven and walking one in five innings.

The Rangers will counter with righthander Scott Feldman (1-2, 4.56). The 25-year-old is 0-1 with a 6.50 ERA over his last three starts.