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Sports

Kazmir goes for A's in rubber match with Rangers

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

(SportsNetwork.com) - Scott Kazmir continues his career resurgence on Wednesday when he takes the hill for the Oakland Athletics in the finale of a three-game series with the Texas Rangers at the Coliseum.

Kazmir went 15-9 last season in his first year with the A's and pitched to a a 3.55 ERA over 32 starts, his most since 2007, and earned an All-Star nod along the way. His 190 1/3 innings were also his most in seven seasons.

The left-hander has done nothing this spring to suggest that another terrific season isn't in the offering, as he pitched to a 1.00 ERA in his four outings.

"In the past, I've had one or two pitches really working and other stuff I'm still working on," Kazmir said after his final Cactus League appearance. "This spring, I felt like out of the gates, I had a good feel for everything."

Texas, meanwhile, will hand the ball to one of its few offseason additions in lefty Ross Detwiler, who was acquired from Washington for a pair of minor leaguers.

After missing most of the 2013 season because of back issues, Detwiler went 2-3 with a 4.00 ERA in 47 relief appearances for the Nationals last season. However, he's been a starter for most of his career and 69 of his 85 appearances have been starts.

Texas evened this series at a game apiece on Tuesday, as Prince Fielder went 2-for-3 and drove in two runs, and Neftali Feliz shut the door in the bottom of the ninth inning in the Rangers' 3-1 win.

Colby Lewis (1-0) got the start for Texas and pitched six innings, giving up three hits and a run with four strikeouts.

"It felt good," Fielder said. "It was a lot of fun getting that first win and getting (Texas manager Jeff Bannister) his first win."

Eric Sogard recorded the only RBI of the game for Oakland, which nearly no-hit the Rangers on Monday in an 8-0 rout.

Jesse Hahn (0-1) was tagged with the loss after lasting six innings, giving up seven hits with three runs and three strikeouts.

"I thought he pitched well; he didn't walk anybody," Athletics manager Bob Melvin said. "He was throwing strikes."

Texas was 10-9 versus the A's last season.