Texas @ Florida preview

Texas at Florida

Last Meeting ( Jun 15, 2010 ) Texas 3, Florida 2

The Texas Rangers envisioned Tommy Hunter playing a vital role in the rotation this season. But Hunter suffered an injury (left oblique strain) in spring training and didn’t work his way back into the big leagues until two months into the season.

And, in only two starts, Hunter has already shown he belongs in the big leagues. Hunter makes his third start for the American League West-leading Rangers on Wednesday night, squaring off against Florida Marlins right-hander Anibal Sanchez.

In his last start against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, the 23-year-old Hunter led the Rangers to a victory, going six innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts.

In his season debut on June 5, Hunter went the distance in leading Texas to a 6-1 victory over Tampa Bay. Hunter allowed only one run on five hits with no walks and four strikeouts, needing 117 pitches to go all nine innings.

Hunter has never faced the Marlins and he has made only one career interleague start. Last year against the San Diego Padres, Hunter allowing two runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Offensively, the Rangers got a clutch pinch-hit triple from backup catcher Matt Treanor on Tuesday night in a 3-2 victory in the series opener.

But, outside of that, the Rangers didn’t have too many other highlights. Michael Young, who is one hit shy of tying the franchise record for most career hits, went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, snapping an eight-game hitting streak.

Josh Hamilton continued his tear at the plate, extending his hitting streak to 11 games with two hits, including an RBI single. And Vladimir Guerrero has a 12-game hitting streak, finishing 1-for-4.

The Rangers will try to get the bats going against Sanchez, who is coming off an OK start. In his last outing against the Tampa Bay Rays, Sanchez went seven innings, allowing four runs on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

Sanchez has yet to face the Rangers in his career.

Offensively, the Marlins struggled on Tuesday night, managing only three hits. Hanley Ramirez had two of them, including a two-run home run, and Ronny Paulino recorded the other.

Despite that troublesome total hit number, the Marlins did draw eight walks, but that was offset with a 0-for-7 effort with runners in scoring position.