Moreland having better results against lefties

ARLINGTON -- Mitch Moreland was in the Rangers' lineup on Wednesday with left-hander Chris Sale on the mound for the White Sox. The move was logical as Moreland has been hot lately against left-handed pitching.

Moreland achieved a career "milestone" when he had three hits against left-handers in the Rangers' 10-6 victory on Tuesday. It's the first time in his career Moreland had three hits in one game against left-handers.

Moreland has had just eight games in his career with two or more hits against left-handed pitchers. Three came in the last week of April, including a two-hit game against the Angels in Anaheim and another on Saturday in Minnesota.

"He's starting to have better swings against them, no doubt about it," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "There are still some left-handed pitchers that will throw it and he'll miss by a mile. But he'll see some pitches from right-handers that he'll miss by a mile. I just want to see him up there and swing the bat."

Moreland's hot streak put him in the lineup over David Murphy. Jeff Baker started in left field for the second straight game, giving Washington an extra right-handed hitter against Sale. Washington said he expects Murphy to start on Thursday against White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy.

Moreland went 0-for-2 against Sale in the 5-2 loss. He walked and scored in the second inning.