Since returning from the disabled list with a left hamstring tear and surgery to alleviate pain caused from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in late May that forced him to miss nearly three months, Blalock has gone just 2-for-13 in four games with two RBIs and one run scored.

All of that run production came with one swing of the bat Monday, when Blalock launched a two-run homer off White Sox reliever Boone Logan.

Rangers manager Ron Washington knew it was only a matter of time before his third baseman started to show signs of life at the plate.

"Hank looks fine; he's just gotta keep getting at-bats," Washington said. "And it's gonna start happening. Hank missed a long time, and although he went to the Minor Leagues and did well swinging the bat, that's not big league pitching. He's gonna have to get comfortable, see pitches and get his [mechanics] back."

Blalock is hitting .280 over the course of 100 at-bats this season, slightly above his career average of .274. He had problems staying healthy last season, too, playing in only 58 games because he had a rib removed in May of 2007.

"I figure by the time he gets 15, 20 at-bats he should be ready to go up there and really be capable," Washington said. "He hit the ball hard [Sunday]. If he'd had a little more extension it would have hit the seats. But, you know, he's gonna be all right. He's a professional hitter; he knows what he's doing."

Blalock agreed.

"[Home runs] just come with at-bats," he said. "You're going to feel awkward up there when you miss a couple months like I did. I'm just trying to bear down and help our team win any way I can.

"I'm just going out there and grinding my at-bats to feel midseason form again."

The entire Rangers offense slowed when the team traveled to Minnesota for a three-game set this past weekend. The Rangers were outscored 20-3 by the Twins, but still salvaged a win in the series.

With Monday's 6-1 win over the White Sox, the offense just may be back on track. Washington reiterated his lack of concern.

"Nobody wants to give Minnesota's pitching any credit," he said. "For two, three days those guys pitched their butts off. We beat [Scott] Baker [Sunday] and he pitched his butt off.

"We ran into some good pitching. Good pitching will always stop good hitting. You put a good pitcher out there and he's doing what he's supposed to do, you're not gonna hit."

Pitching matchup
TEX: RHP Luis Mendoza (2-3, 6.28 ERA)
Mendoza will be facing Chicago after allowing only a run in six innings in a 7-2 victory over the Sox on July 11. The Rangers want to see more of the pitcher that challenged hitters in that game. Mendoza had eight strikeouts after not recording any in his previous start against the Angels, a game in which he allowed eight runs in 1 1/3 innings.

CWS: LHP Mark Buehrle (7-8, 3.69 ERA)
Buehrle made one mistake in his start Friday night against the Royals. His 1-0 offering to Billy Butler in the sixth inning traveled 431 feet over the left-field wall for a three-run homer. Fortunately for Buehrle, the White Sox still had a three-run lead. The left-hander allowed just four hits and four runs, three of which were earned, in seven innings of work. It was his first win in his past three starts, and one that moved him past Joel Horlen into seventh place on the White Sox all-time career victories list. Buehrle has not faced the Rangers this season, but is 9-3 with a 2.97 ERA lifetime against them. He will be working on three days' rest, moving up one day because he will return to Missouri Wednesday for his grandfather's funeral. The White Sox did not want Buehrle to miss his turn in the rotation.

Tidbits
Washington put Frank Catalanotto in as the designated hitter Monday to give the utility player an opportunity to get some at-bats. "I can't sit on him all the time," Washington said. "I feel bad when I don't play him. I gotta try and get him in there sometimes. He's a professional hitter and a big part of our club. It's not as often as I would like to do it, but I do like to get him in there." ... Scott Feldman has won his last three starts despite a 5.55 ERA over those games. ... Center fielder Josh Hamilton has 24 RBIs in his last 25 games. ... Second baseman Ian Kinsler is 0-for-15 since his Major League-high 25-game hitting streak ended on July 18.

Tickets
 Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.

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

On television
• FSN SW

On radio
• KRLD 1080, KFLC 1270 (Español)

Up next
• Wednesday: Rangers (Kevin Millwood, 6-6, 5.23) at White Sox (Clayton Richard, 0-0, -.--), 1:05 p.m. CT
• Thursday: Off-day
• Friday: Rangers (Matt Harrison, 1-1, 9.20) at Athletics (Sean Gallagher, 4-4, 4.20), 9:05 p.m. CT