(Sports Network) – Tommy Hunter will try to remain undefeated when he takes the hill for the Texas Rangers this evening in the second matchup of a three- game series against the Chicago White Sox at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
Hunter, who was recalled from Oklahoma City back on June 5, has made five starts for the Rangers, posting a 4-0 mark with an equally impressive 2.15 earned run average.
The last time the right-hander was on the rubber he dominated Houston, holding the Astros to just one run on five hits in six innings of work. All four of Hunter’s victories have come at home, and in 27 innings in Arlington, he has surrendered just eight runs — six earned — while walking just five batters.
This will be Hunter’s first-career start against the White Sox.
Taking the hill for the White Sox will be John Danks, who saw his personal three-game winning streak come to an end the last time he was on the hill. In his recent loss to the Cubs, the southpaw was tattooed for six runs on seven hits in five innings.
Pitching on the road has been a bit of a problem for Danks this season. Sure, the crafty hurler has a 3-2 ledger in six road starts, but he also possesses a lackluster 4.50 earned run average.
In four career starts against Texas, Danks is just 1-2 with a 4.38 earned run average. Danks has allowed 15 runs in 24 2/3 innings, but also has 29 strike outs compared to just three walks.
Last night, Mark Kotsay’s two-run double with two outs in the ninth inning gave the White Sox a 5-3 win.
A game that was delayed nearly 2 1/2 hours by rain at the start was won thanks to Chicago’s only extra-base hit. Alex Rios had three hits and drove in two runs, while Juan Pierre also had three hits and scored twice. Alexei Ramirez went 3-for-5 for Chicago, which logged its 13th win in 16 games.
Josh Hamilton, who had his hitting streak snapped at 23 games Thursday, homered in the sixth inning off Freddy Garcia, but the Rangers suffered back- to-back losses for the first time since June 6-7. Vladimir Guerrero had a two- run triple.
Bengie Molina, who was acquired by Texas in a trade with San Francisco earlier this week, went 1-for-4 in his first game in a Rangers uniform. Texas lost for just the fourth time in its last 18 games.
Garcia allowed six hits and three runs over six innings. J.J. Putz (5-2) got the victory and Matt Thornton secured his fourth save of the year.
Colby Lewis permitted eight hits and three runs over the first six-plus innings for Texas. Neftali Feliz (1-2) suffered the loss.
The Rangers have won four of seven versus the White Sox this year, taking two of three at home on April 27-29.