(Sports Network) - The AL West-leading Texas Rangers will try to continue their strong play at home when they battle the Chicago White Sox in the finale of a three-game set at Arlington Stadium.
Texas, which is in the midst of a 10-game home stand, is currently 29-13 in front of its home crowd on the season.
On Saturday, Tommy Hunter worked into the eighth inning and Nelson Cruz had two hits and scored a run as Texas topped the White Sox, 3-1.
Hunter (5-0) allowed a lone run on nine hits with a walk and three strikeouts over seven-plus innings to earn the win for the Rangers, who halted a two-game slide. Neftali Feliz struck out both hitters he faced to end the game and recorded his 22nd save of the season.
"It's fun, you just go out there and let this defense play," Hunter said. "I've probably repeated myself on the last six, seven starts this year. They're going to make plays, they do every time."
John Danks (7-7) suffered the loss after yielding a pair of runs on four hits over six frames, while walking four and striking out four for the White Sox, who have dropped two out of three.
"I really kind of got outpitched, Tommy Hunter was very good today," Danks said. "You have to just tip your cap to him. I would have liked to walk a few less than I did."
For the Rangers to remain in the win column, they will need Scott Feldman to have a strong outing. Feldman, who has seven losses on the season, is coming off a rough outing against the Angels.
In the 6-5 setback, Feldman surrendered five runs on nine hits in just 5 2/3 innings of work.
This will be the ninth home start for the right-hander this season, but pitching in front of a home crowd has not been easy for the Hawaii native, as Feldman is just 2-2 with a lackluster 4.96 earned run average at Arlington Stadium.
Earlier this season Feldman surrendered five runs against Chicago, but still managed to get a victory over the White Sox. In his career against the team from the South side of Chicago, Feldman is just 2-1 with a 3.99 ERA.
Taking the hill for the White Sox will be southpaw Mark Buehrle. Chicago's veteran hurler is coming off his seventh loss of the season, as he was defeated by Kansas City.
In the loss to the Royals, Buehrle surrendered only three runs, but allowed 10 hits and five walks in 6 1/3 innings of work. The setback snapped a three-game winning straight for Buehrle, and also dropped his ledger on the road this season to a meager 2-5.
Earlier this season the Rangers pounded Buehrle for six runs on 12 hits in 5 1/3 innings of work. However, in his career against Texas, the crafty veteran has a respectable 11-5 record with an equally solid 3.39 earned run average.
The Rangers have won five of eight versus the White Sox this year, taking two of three at home on April 27-29.