It's the second time around for Edison Volquez and maybe the nerves won't be quite as frayed.

Volquez, the highly touted Rangers prospect, will make his second Major League start on Sunday in the finale of the Kansas City series. Volquez allowed three runs in the first inning when he last appeared, against the White Sox. He wound up allowing six hits and five earned runs, but showed flashes of brilliance with scoreless third and fourth innings.

Volquez, 22, could be a big part of the equation as the Rangers plot their future starting rotation. A strong September could enable Volquez to gain the confidence he'll need to flourish at the Major League level.

Pitching matchup:
TEX: RHP Edison Volquez
• 0-1, 9.64 ERA in 2005
• Has never faced KC

KC: LHP Jimmy Gobble
• 1-0, 6.42 ERA in 2005
• Has not faced TEX in 2005

Player to watch
Third baseman Hank Blalock broke out of a 2-for-21 slump by going 3-for-5 on Saturday.

Quotable
"I was trying to stay away from him if I could, just to give him a day's rest." -- Rangers manager Buck Showalter, talking about finishing Saturday's game with right-hander Joaquin Benoit rather than normal closer Francisco Cordero

On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• TEX: FSN
• KC: None

On radio
• TEX: KRLD 1080, KFLC 1270 (Español)
• KC: WHB 810

Quick hits
With Saturday's win, the Rangers are 19-20-4 in series play this year. ... DH Adrian Gonzalez went 2-for-4 with a homer on Saturday after going 3-for-21 in his previous six games. ... The Rangers are now 8-1 versus the Royals this season.

On deck
• Monday: at Twins, 3:10 p.m. CT
• Tuesday: at Twins, 7:10 p.m. CT
• Wednesday: at Twins, 12:10 p.m. CT