Feldman, Rangers blank White Sox, 2-0 - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Scott Feldman tied a career high by pitching eight shutout innings in helping the Texas Rangers snap a two-game skid with a 2-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.
 
   David Murphy had three hits, including a double, and Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz each scored a run for the Rangers, who host a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels in a West Division showdown starting Monday.
 
   Feldman (5-6) gave up seven hits and retired eight of the last 10 batters he faced. He was efficient, throwing only 88 pitches in matching the eight innings he has thrown on two other occasions, the last being June 2, 2010, also against the White Sox in Chicago.
 
   Joe Nathan pitched a scoreless ninth for his 21st save.
 
   Gavin Floyd (8-9) gave up seven hits in 6 2-3 innings. He was 4-1 with a 1.67 ERA in his previous five starts.
 
   Feldman, who started the season 0-6, won his fifth consecutive decision, including four as a starter. In his last two starts he has allowed only one run in 15 innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks.
 
   Hamilton returned to the lineup for the Rangers, but not in his customary No. 3 slot. Manager Ron Washington penciled him in at No. 5.
 
   Hamilton is hitting .115 in his last 17 games after going 0 for 2 with two walks as the designated hitter.
 
   He scored the Rangers' first run after reaching base on his second walk in the third inning. He advanced to third on Murphy's single and scored when shortstop Alexei Ramirez bobbled and dropped Mike Napoli's grounder in what would have been the third out.
 
   Nelson Cruz, who doubled to lead off the fifth, scored the Rangers' second run, breaking for home from third when Floyd fielded Michael Young's dribbler in front of the plate and threw to first.
 
   NOTES: Hamilton broke a string of consecutive games with a strikeout at seven. . Rangers starter Neftali Feliz was scratched from his scheduled rehabilitation start at Triple A Round Rock because of discomfort in his right elbow, team officials said. The 24-year-old Feliz hasn't pitched in two months after being diagnosed with inflammation of the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. He will undergo further evaluation. . White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski sat out a fifth consecutive game with a strained oblique. Pierzynski said he could have played, but agreed with manager Robin Ventura's decision to give him an extra day off. He is expected back in the lineup for the start of a three-game series Monday against Minnesota.

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