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White Sox-Rangers Preview

May 3, 2009 - 6:41 AM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Chicago (12-11) at Texas (11-12), 8:05 p.m. EDT

In between stretches of rain and lightning, the Texas Rangers offense had a breakout performance. The team still could really use one from its pitching staff.

The Rangers may need to have another big effort from their lineup to win their three-game series over the visiting Chicago White Sox in Sunday night's finale.

Texas (11-12) won 9-6 on Saturday night with their best offensive output in more than two weeks. The Rangers' nine runs and 13 hits were their most since a 19-run, 19-hit outburst April 15 against Baltimore.

Hank Blalock was one of four Rangers with at least two hits Saturday, with a three-run homer in the third inning and an RBI double during a six-run fourth.

"That's what we needed," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "We've been in a position to get a big hit and Hank delivered. It was a big blow."

Before Saturday, the Rangers were limited to 4.2 runs per game in their previous 13 contests after averaging 7.9 in their first nine games of the season. Their batting average had dropped from .293 to .268. Last season, they led the majors with 901 runs and a .283 average.

After Texas went ahead 9-1 before the third of four rain delays totaling nearly 2 1/2 hours, its bullpen nearly gave away the lead by giving up five runs in two innings.

The Rangers have allowed at least four runs in 11 consecutive games and their 5.64 ERA this season is among the worst in the majors after finishing last in that category last year at 5.37. That hasn't given the team much margin for error as its last seven victories have come by three runs or fewer, including five one-run wins.

Matt Harrison (1-2, 7.89 ERA) has clearly been part of the problem. The left-hander hasn't allowed fewer than four runs in any of his four starts this season, but he earned his first victory Wednesday night by allowing four runs over seven innings in a 6-4 win at Baltimore.

Harrison struggled in his only career start against the White Sox, giving up five runs and seven hits in 2 2-3 innings in a 12-11 win July 13 in his second major league game. Chicago slugger Jim Thome, who has hit doubles in consecutive games since returning from a heel injury Friday night, double twice off Harrison last year and Carlos Quentin hit a two-run homer against him.

Chicago (12-11) will counter with John Danks (2-1, 2.74), who is looking to bounce back from his worst start of the season.

After giving up a total of two runs in his first three starts, the left-hander allowed Seattle to score five times in four innings Thursday night in a 9-1 loss.

"I put us in a hole that we couldn't get out of, so I take full blame," Danks told the team's official Web site. "I've had worse stuff and pitched better."

Danks won his only start against Texas last season, giving up four runs over 7 2-3 innings in a 9-7 victory July 12.

Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler had an RBI double off Danks in that game and he's batting .464 at home this season, including 3-for-7 with three RBIs in this series.