NewsKinsler ready to get right back to action
Texas (47-36) at Seattle (43-41), 9:10 p.m. CT
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
07/09/09 2:00 AM ET
ANAHEIM -- Ian Kinsler will be back in the lineup when the Rangers open a four-game series with the Mariners on Thursday at Safeco Field. Kinsler, one of five candidates for the 2008 All-Star Game Sprint Final Vote, was given a night off by manager Ron Washington after going 4-for-39 in his last nine games. Asked if he was tired, Kinsler said, "It comes and it goes. It's something that you have to deal with when you play every day. That's the way it goes. I'm grinding. I'm trying to get ready for the second half and ready for a playoff push at the end." The Rangers go into the series having seven of their last eight games after taking two of three from the Angels in Anaheim. That left them in first place, one game ahead of the Angels and 41/2 games ahead of the Mariners. This is only the seventh time in club history the Rangers have been in first place by at least one game as late as July 8. Three of those seasons came in 1996 and '98-99, when they won their three division titles, and in '94, when they were in first place at the time of the season-ending strike. The Rangers also go into the series with a 17-5 record against the American League West, including a 5-0 record against the Mariners. They took two from the Mariners at Safeco Field on May 4-5 and swept a three-game series in Arlington. Pitching matchupTEX: RHP Tommy Hunter (1-1, 3.18 ERA)
Hunter allowed one earned run over 5 1/3 innings against the Rays on Friday, which happened to be his 23rd birthday. He picked up his first Major League win. Hunter struck out a career-high five batters and 55 of his 90 pitches were strikes. In all three of his starts this season, he has logged five innings and allowed three runs or less. The 2.31 ERA he has posted over his last two starts lower his season figure from 5.06 to 3.17. He has never faced the Mariners in his career. SEA: RHP Felix Hernandez (8-3, 2.62 ERA)
Fresh off being named the American League's Pitcher of the Month for June, Hernandez had his 15-inning scoreless streak end at Fenway Park, but he remained unbeaten at the AL's oldest facility. The three earned runs he allowed were the most in a start since May 19, when the Angels scored six earned runs off the righty. Tidbits
Hamilton is not participating in the Home Run Derby next week in St. Louis and said nobody has tried to convince him otherwise. ... Brandon McCarthy, on the disabled list with a stress fracture in his right shoulder, is throwing from 60 feet in Arlington and should start a long-toss program next week. So far, he he has had no pain. ... Matt Harrison, sidelined with inflammation in his left shoulder, is throwing in Surprise, Ariz., and is expected to throw in the bullpen on Saturday in Seattle. ... The Rangers have released first baseman Nate Gold at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was their Minor League Player of the Year in 2006. Tickets
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• 105.3 The Fan, KFLC 1270 (Español) Up next
• Friday: Rangers (Scott Feldman, 7-2, 3.91) at Mariners (Garrett Olson, 3-2, 4.50), 9:10 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Rangers (Kevin Millwood, 8-6, 3.34) at Mariners (Jarrod Washburn, 5-6, 3.08), 9:10 p.m. CT
• Sunday: Rangers (TBD) at Mariners (Erik Bedard, 5-2, 2.58), 3:10 p.m. CT
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
