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Rangers tab Hurley in series finale

Jun 12, 2008 - 11:59 AM Texas (34-33) at Kansas City (25-41) 2:10 p.m. EDT

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- The Texas Rangers' prospect Eric Hurley makes his major league debut when the club visits the Kansas City Royals on Thursday in the finale of a three-game series.

The Rangers own the worst team ERA in the majors at 5.05, but surprisingly boast one of the more pitching-rich farm systems in the game with top prospects such as Neftali Feliz, Michael Main, Kasey Kiker, Blake Beavan and Matt Harrison at various stages of development in the low minors.

Hurley could be the best of the bunch. Armed with a sinking fastball that reaches the mid-90's and a sharp slider, Hurley shot through the minors after being drafted out of high school in the first round in 2004, reaching Class AAA Oklahoma for the first time last season.

The 22-year-old righthander has struggled some at Oklahoma this season with a 2-5 record and a 5.30 ERA, but pitched 6 2/3 strong innings on Saturday at New Orleans.

Hurley's debut became a necessity with Texas in need of a fifth starter after waiving righthander Sidney Ponson on Friday due to "disrespectful and adverse reactions to situations unbecoming of teammates," according to general manager Jon Daniels.

The Royals will counter with struggling righthander Brian Bannister (5-6, 4.98 ERA). The 27-year-old allowed five runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings at New York on Saturday but did not factor in the decision as Kansas City went on to suffer a 12-11 defeat.

Bannister has allowed three runs or less in seven starts this season, and five or more in his other six outings.

Texas won the first two games of the series, capturing Tuesday's contest by overcoming a 5-1 deficit in the eighth inning and pounding out an 11-5 victory on Wednesday.