Currently: - Game info: 8:05 pm EDT Sat Sep 17, 2005
- TV: KSTW, KDFI
Kenny Rogers and the Texas Rangers look to continue their success at Ameriquest Field in the third game of their weekend series with the Seattle Mariners.
Rogers has not lost at home since allowing three earned runs in 5 1-3 innings of an 8-0 loss to Toronto on April 16. He has won seven straight home decisions since, including a 7-4 victory over Oakland on Sunday. The veteran left-hander gave up three runs and seven hits, striking out five to improve to 7-1 with a 2.64 ERA in 11 starts at home this year.
“Kenny was effective,” Rangers manager Buck Showalter said. “They’ve seen Kenny so much. They hit some good pitches for hits. He bent, but he didn’t break.”
Rogers appears to be turning the corner after going 0-3 with a 5.25 ERA in his first four starts after returning from his 13-game suspension for shoving two TV cameramen earlier this season. Rogers, who had won 11 of his first 15 decisions this year, is 2-0 in three September outings despite a 5.30 ERA.
Rod Barajas homered to give Texas the AL record for most home runs in a season at home, and Josh Rupe won his major league debut as the Rangers beat the Mariners 5-3 on Friday.
Barajas’ two-run shot in the fourth was the 146th at home by Texas, one more than the record set last season by the Chicago White Sox. The Rangers also tied a club record, established in 2001, with their major league-leading 246th homer.
Texas has won four of six while Seattle has lost two in a row since a three-game winning streak.
Joel Pineiro will take the ball for Seattle after giving up one run and three hits in 7 2-3 innings in an 8-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday.
The right-hander, who won his second straight start, has fought through injuries and inconsistency for over a year. He has a 1.61 ERA in three outings this month.
“We’ve seen him getting stronger and getting more confidence in himself,” Seattle manager Mike Hargrove said. “His last four or five outings, each one has been just a little bit better than the other one.”
Lookout Landing
Lone Star Ball
