Old Friends
Arlington, TX – It’s been nearly two and a half years since Texas acquired Brandon McCarthy from the Chicago White Sox.
On Saturday night, the oft-injured right-hander makes his first start against his former team as the Rangers continue their three-game set against the White Sox at Rangers Ballpark.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Rangers -125 moneyline favorites for Saturday’s game against the White Sox. Current MLB Public Betting Information shows that 61% of more than 161 bets for this game have been placed on the Rangers -125.
McCarthy (2-0, 5.32 ERA), a 17th-round selection by Chicago in 2002, went 7-9 with a 4.39 ERA for the White Sox from 2005-06. Although he didn’t make the playoff roster as Chicago won the 2005 World Series, McCarthy went 3-2 with a 4.17 ERA in 10 spot starts that season.
"Obviously, we needed him (in 2005)," Chicago left-hander Mark Buehrle told the team’s official Web site. "He came up and did a good job to fill in for us and help get us to where we needed to get."
After coming out of the bullpen for the White Sox in 2006, McCarthy was acquired by Texas on Dec. 23, 2006, in the deal that sent John Danks to Chicago.
McCarthy has battled through a number of shoulder and arm injuries though two-plus seasons in Arlington, but the 25-year-old righty is finally healthy.
"Thank God he’s healthy," Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen told the team’s official Web site. "I hope he stays healthy all year because we know he has talent."
Being healthy isn’t enough for McCarthy, who looks to bounce back from a poor outing. With Texas leading Baltimore 5-1 in the fifth inning Sunday, McCarthy allowed three runs in the bottom of the frame. He yielded four runs and nine hits as the Rangers lost 8-5.
"I couldn’t be more disappointed with what I did in the fifth,” McCarthy said. "They went out and got me runs – I got a four-run lead at that point. It’s time to get a shutdown inning. … It’s just unacceptable at that juncture in the game."
Jose Contreras (0-3, 6.75) wasn’t helping the White Sox much in his first three starts this season, but against Toronto on Sunday, the veteran right-hander went a season-long seven innings and surrendered just three runs and three hits.
"I guess that was probably the biggest positive today, for him to go out there and pitch seven innings and give up three runs against that lineup,” Paul Konerko said following Chicago’s 4-3 loss.
Contreras is 1-1 with an 8.69 ERA in four career starts against the Rangers. He’ll look to give Chicago (12-10) its third straight victory after Friday’s 4-3 win over Texas (10-12) in the series opener.
After missing the previous three games with a sore left heel, Jim Thome hit a bases-clearing double in the fourth that gave him 1,501 career RBIs. He is the 50th player in major league history to reach 1,500 RBIs.
"Anytime you can accomplish something like that, it’s an honor,” said Thome, who has reached safely in 29 consecutive games at Texas. "Especially when it’s a big hit in the game.”
Chris Getz returned from a five-game absence due to a finger injury and tripled home Scott Podsednik in the seventh for the game winner.
Playing his first game for Chicago since 2007, Podsednik went 2-for-4 in his 2009 debut.
He batted .270 with 111 stolen bases for Chicago from 2005-07.
Ian Kinsler hit his team-leading eighth homer and drove in two in Friday’s loss. Kinsler, who is batting .462 (24-for-52) at home this season, is 4-for-6 with three doubles lifetime against Contreras.
Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton was placed on the disabled list Friday with a strained rib cage muscle.
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Posted: 5/2/09 1:25AM ET
