Hamilton's HR helps Rangers beat White Sox

[April 29, 2010]  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Josh Hamilton's two-run homer keyed a five-run first, Rich Harden pitched six innings despite more control problems, and the Texas Rangers held on to beat the Chicago White Sox 6-5 on Wednesday night.

Harden (1-1) allowed three runs and four hits after lasting less than five innings due to wildness in three of his first four starts. This time he hit two batters and walked five, giving him 23 walks in his five starts.

The White Sox were unable to capitalize until Carlos Quentin ended a 2 for 37 slide with a three-run homer off Harden in the sixth that reduced the deficit to 5-3.

The Rangers signed Harden as a free agent in December to take over one of the top two spots in their rotation, but Harden's once-dynamic fastball has been less than imposing so far.

Neftali Feliz allowed RBI singles in the ninth to A.J. Pierzynski and Alexei Ramirez before retiring Juan Pierre on a ground-out for his third save in four chances.

Chicago starter Jake Peavy (0-2) was in trouble early as Hamilton's 430-foot blast got the Rangers rolling in the first. One out later, Peavy walked three straight.

Two scored on Joaquin Arias' single, and Julio Borbon followed with an RBI single to make it 5-0.

But Peavy got untracked, retiring 16 of the next 18 from the first through the sixth.

Peavy gave up six runs and six hits in 6 1-3 innings with seven strikeouts and five walks.

Michael Young hit a ground-rule double off Peavy in the seventh, and Young later scored on David Murphy's double off reliever Randy Williams to stretch Texas' lead to 6-3.

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen didn't have slumping second baseman Gordon Beckham in his starting lineup for the third time in 21 games this season.

Beckham's second major league season is off to a 15-for-73 start with four hits in his last 33 at bats.

Guillen said Beckham is simply trying too hard.

"Like I say every day, you can't come here and think you're carrying this ballclub," Guillen said. "This is about 25 guys, not about one. He's trying to do too much, he's desperate to do good."

NOTES: Peavy allowed seven runs and seven hits with seven walks over 4 1-3 innings in his previous start, a 10-2 loss to Tampa Bay last Thursday. ... Guillen said Beckham would be back in the lineup for Thursday's series finale against Texas. ... Before the game the Rangers reinstated RHP Tommy Hunter from the 15-day disabled list and assigned him to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Hunter, who's been on the DL since April 4 with a left oblique strain, threw two perfect innings in an extended spring training game in Surprise, Ariz. on Wednesday and will throw in the bullpen in Arizona on Friday before reporting to Oklahoma City. ... Peavy threw 41 pitches in the first as the Rangers sent 10 to the plate. ... Harden was the beneficiary of three double plays.

[Associated Press]

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