by WebHamster » Wed Apr 28, 2004 12:00 pm
(Sports Network) - The Texas Rangers try for their fifth straight win tonight when they continue their three-game series with the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
In the opener of the set on Tuesday, R.A. Dickey pitched 6 1/3 solid innings, leading Texas to a 3-2 win. Dickey (3-1), allowed two runs on four hits for the Rangers, who have won six of their last seven games.
Hank Blalock went 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI for the Rangers, who picked up their first win at Kauffman Stadium since Sept.2 of 2001. Alfonso Soriano added two hits and an RBI in the win.
Heading to the hill tonight for the Rangers will be veteran lefthander Kenny Rogers, who is 3-0 on the season with a 3.96 ERA in four starts. Rogers was supposed to start on Sunday but missed the game with a viral infection.
After a no-decision in his first outing of the season, Rogers has won his last three starts including a five inning effort against the Anaheim Angels last Tuesday. He allowed a pair of runs on seven hits in the win and struck out three, while walking two.
His 3-0 start has equaled a career-high, which he attained in 1996 while with the New York Yankees. Rogers is also 5-0 in his last eight games (6 starts) dating back to last season.
Rogers's 104 wins in a Rangers uniform have him tied with Bobby Witt for second most in team history. Charlie Hough is the Rangers' all-time wins leader with 139.
The 39-year-old hurler is 14-12 lifetime against the Royals with a 3.81 ERA in 43 games - 23 starts.
Texas is 5-5 away from home this season.
The Royals won seven of their nine matchups with the Rangers last season and are 14-5 against them over the past two years. Texas has also lost nine of their last 10 in KC.
