Kinsler knocks in 3 as Rangers beat ChiSox 9-6

[June 02, 2010]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Ian Kinsler had two hits and drove in three runs and Craig Gentry hit a two-run single to lead the Texas Rangers to a 9-6 comeback victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.

Josh Hamilton and David Murphy each had three hits for the Rangers, who snapped a four-game losing streak.

Rangers starter Rich Harden (3-1) hung around long enough to get the victory, allowing four runs on seven hits. He struck out one and allowed three walks.

White Sox starter Mark Buehrle (3-6) couldn't hold on to an early 4-0 lead. Buehrle was tagged for four runs on four hits in the sixth inning.

Rangers reliever Frank Francisco struck out the side in order in the seventh and Darren Oliver struck out two for a perfect eighth inning. But closer Neftali Feliz loaded the bases in the ninth with one out before getting Alexei Ramirez to popout and Omar Vizquel to fly to center for his 14th save in 16 opportunities.

Justin Smoak also had a pinch-hit RBI single and a solo home run for Texas.

Carlos Quentin homered for Chicago.

With one out in the sixth inning and leading 4-2, Buehrle gave up four consecutive singles. With the bases loaded, Gentry, who was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, lined a single up the middle to score Joaquin Arias and Murphy to end Buehrle's outing.

Michael Young followed with a sacrifice fly off reliever Sergio Santos to put the Rangers ahead and Kinsler capped off a five-run inning with a two-run double down the left-field line to give the Rangers a 7-4 lead.

Gordon Beckham's RBI single and Paul Konerko's bases loaded walk cut the lead to 7-6 in the bottom of the sixth.

The Rangers got some insurance on Smoak's pinch-hit RBI single in the seventh inning off White Sox reliever J.J. Putz, and Smoak's homer off Scott Linebrink in the ninth.

Buehrle made his first start since being ejected by umpire Joe West for flipping his glove after being called for his second balk of the game in the second inning of Wednesday's win at Cleveland. He allowed six runs on a season-high 12 hits.

In the second inning, Harden gave up a leadoff home run to Quentin. He then allowed three consecutive singles to Ramirez, Vizquel and Beckham. Ramirez scored on Beckham's single and Vizquel scored on A.J. Pierzynski's groundout to give the White Sox a 4-0 lead.

NOTES: Rangers RHP Brandon McCarthy threw a bullpen session on Tuesday in Oklahoma City. If the bullpen session went well McCarthy could be activated off the minor league disabled list and be used as a reliever for Triple-A Oklahoma by the end of the week. ... Before the game, the White Sox placed Mark Teahen on the 15-day DL with a fractured right middle finger. INF Brent Lillibridge was called up from Triple-A Charlotte took his spot on the roster.

[Associated Press]

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