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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Rick Helling proved again why he's
considered the ace of the Texas Rangers' staff.
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| Helling |
Helling (13-7) pitched 6 2/3 strong innings to win his sixth
straight decision as the Texas Rangers defeated the Chicago White
Sox 7-2 Wednesday night.
The right-hander allowed two runs on four hits with five walks
and six strikeouts. Tim Crabtree completed the four-hitter with 2
1/3 innings for his first save.
The Rangers starter said he worked on mixing up his pitches.
"I knew they were the best offense in the league, and you've
really got to concentrate on making good pitches," he said. "When
you face an offense as good as theirs is, you have to keep them
off-balance."
Meanwhile, Rusty Greer ended one streak and Gabe Kapler
continued another for Texas, which earned a split in the two-game
series.
Greer, who was 0-for-12 before the game, broke a scoreless tie
with a third-inning single to right that scored Frank Catalanotto
from second. Kapler then doubled to the left-center field gap,
scoring Greer and extending his major league-leading hitting streak
to 16 games.
Ricky Ledee added an RBI groundout and Bill Haselman had an RBI
single during the inning as Texas built a 4-0 lead.
"I try to concentrate hard, go up to the plate with a game plan
and hope to execute," Haselman said. "Sometimes you are going to
hit balls hard, but they are going to go right to someone. They
found holes, and we were able to score some runs."
Kapler said he hasn't thought about how long his streak might
last.
"I'm not going into games thinking I want to get one hit," he
said. "I'm trying to drive in runs."
White Sox rookie Jon Garland (2-3) took the loss, allowing four
runs and nine hits in six innings.
Chicago manager Jerry Manuel said, despite the loss, he wasn't
disappointed with Garland's performance.
"When he gets in trouble, he seems to compete at a different
level. It's a good quality to see in a young starting pitcher.
"I'm happy with where he is," Manuel said. "He's 20 years old
in a pennant race _ it's a great experience for him."
The White Sox cut Texas' lead in half in the fourth inning when
Chris Singleton's two-out, two-run double to center scored Herbert
Perry and Carlos Lee. It was only the third hit off Helling.
Chicago threatened again in the fifth after a walk to Paul
Konerko loaded the bases with two outs. However, Helling struck out
Perry to end the inning.
Texas added three runs in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Chad Curtis
singled home Rafael Palmeiro, who doubled. Haselman's double to
center put the Rangers ahead 6-2, and Mike Lamb's RBI single added
another run.
Texas manager Johnny Oates said he continues to be impressed
with the performances of his pinch-hitters.
"That four-run inning was very big," he said, "but the thing
that stands out for me is Chad Curtis's pinch-hit."
Game notes
Curtis is 6-for-11 as a pinch-hitter this year. ... White
Sox DH Harold Baines, who celebrated his return to his old team
with an RBI on Tuesday night, did not play Wednesday. ... The
Rangers have eight players on the disabled list, the latest being
pitcher Darren Oliver, who went on the DL Tuesday. Seven, including
All-Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez, have season-ending injuries. ...
The Rangers said Wednesday that OF Jason McDonald was assigned from
Class A Charlotte to Triple-A Oklahoma, while RHP Clint Sodowsky
was promoted from Double-A Tulsa to Oklahoma.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Chi. White Sox Clubhouse
Texas Clubhouse
RECAPS
Kansas City 4
NY Yankees 1
Minnesota 10
Baltimore 6
Oakland 5
Toronto 4
Detroit 5
Anaheim 3
Cleveland 5
Tampa Bay 3
Texas 7
Chi. White Sox 2
Boston 5
Seattle 2
NY Mets 2
Cincinnati 1
Los Angeles 11
Pittsburgh 5
Milwaukee 6
San Francisco 4
Chicago Cubs 3
Colorado 2
Florida 5
Houston 4
St. Louis 10
Montreal 7
Arizona 2
Atlanta 0
San Diego 5
Philadelphia 2
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