(Sports Network) - Tommy Hunter will try to remain flawless on the season when he takes the hill for the Texas Rangers this evening in the finale of a four- game series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
Hunter began the season on the disabled list for Texas, and once healthy enough to return the Rangers opted to send the young hurler to Triple-A Oklahoma City. After a few months in the minors Hunter was called up on June 5 and since then the right-hander has been outstanding.
The Indiana native has won seven of his first nine starts, and with the exception of one outing the crafty hurler has tossed six or more innings in each of those contests.
The last time Hunter was in action the 24-year-old tossed seven scoreless innings against Detroit, scattering three hits, while also recording three strike outs.
Hunter has been marvelous at home thus far, winning five of his six games in Arlington, while posting an equally impressive 2.25 ERA. However, against the Angels Hunter has struggled mightily in his career, losing both starts, while accumulating an atrocious 9.82 earned run average.
As for the Angels they will look towards their bullpen for their starter this afternoon, as Trevor Bell will take the hill for the Halos. Bell, who has appeared in 15 games this season as a reliever, will be making his first start of the season and just the fifth in his career.
Bell has been rather inconsistent out of the bullpen for the Angels and comes into this matchup with a lackluster 6.05 earned run average. On top of that, the right-hander has struggled against Texas, suffering a loss in both his career appearances against the divisional foe.
One of those losses came this season, as the California native allowed one run on three hits in just 1 1/3 innings of work.
Yesterday, Ervin Santana was on top of his game in eight solid innings on the hill, as the Angels pulled out a much-needed 6-2 win.
Santana (9-7) came in with a 6.06 earned-run average in 16 career starts against the Rangers but silenced the division leaders to two runs on five hits and two walks, finishing with eight strikeouts.
Erick Aybar went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI, Jeff Mathis went 2- for-4 with a solo homer and Alberto Callaspo drove in two runs for the Angels, who recorded 13 hits to help snap a three-game slide.
Michael Young and Nelson Cruz each belted a solo home run, while Scott Feldman (5-9) was touched for three runs on seven hits and a walk in 5 1/3 innings to take the loss for the Rangers, who had won consecutive one-run contests to start the series and still lead the Angels by six games.