ARLINGTON, Texas -- Chi Chi Gonzalez had the longest outing by a Texas starter in six games, and still didnt make it out of the fifth inning while throwing 124 pitches as the Rangers set an undesired club record.For the first time in team history, Texas has gone six consecutive games without its starting pitcher finishing at least five innings.Gonzalez (0-2) was pulled after 4 2/3 innings in a 10-1 loss to the Twins on Thursday night, which came after the young right-hander recorded only two outs at Minnesota last Saturday to start the streak.Bottom line, weve got to be better, manager Jeff Banister said. Weve been really good in some stretches, we talk about, it all starts with starting pitching. ... We cant continue to cover four or five innings in the bullpen every single night.Even after their seventh loss in nine games, the Rangers (53-34) still have the American Leagues best record and a 6 1/2-game lead over Houston in the AL West.Texas has lost three consecutive games to the Twins (30-55), who have the ALs worst record. Before losing two of three at Boston, the Rangers lost at Minnesota last Saturday and Sunday.The first two Minnesota batters in the game had hits and scored, putting the Twins up to stay. Kurt Suzuki led off the second with his fifth homer, and it was 4-0 after Brian Dozier snapped an 0-for-13 slide with an RBI single.I was just grinding, from pitch one to the last pitch, Gonzalez said. It was a grind all game.Eduardo Nunez led off the game with a double before a single by Joe Mauer. Nunez eventually scored on a Max Keplers sacrifice fly -- a popup to shallow center field caught by lunging shortstop Elvis Andrus.Struggled throwing pitches, Banister said of Gonzalez. When he did get it in the strike zone, it was elevated. Clubs like this, when you work from behind, they make you pay.Gonzalez struck out five, but also walked five and allowed nine hits.Texas failed to take advantage in the first when Tyler Duffey (5-6) walked All-Star outfielder Ian Desmond with one out and hit Adrian Beltre and Prince Fielder with pitches to load the bases. Jurickson Profar then grounded into an inning-ending double play.The Rangers left six runners on base in the first three innings, but Duffey then retired the last nine batters he faced after Andrus had a leadoff single in the fourth.Duffey matched a career high with nine strikeouts while allowing two hits over six innings. He walked four and hit two batters.Texas didnt score until the ninth, when Rougned Odor had a one-out triple and scored on a single by Andrus.NOW PITCHINGOutfielder Jared Hoying pitched the ninth for Texas, giving up solo homer to pinch-hitter Kennys Vargas. It was the first professional appearance on the mound for Hoying, who said he pitched only two or three times in high school.It was the second Rangers position player to pitch in a week. Catcher Bryan Holaday threw last Saturday in Minnesota.SHORT HOPSThe Rangers failed to homer for the first time in 18 games. Their 17 in a row was the second-longest homer streak in the majors this season, and the fourth-best stretch in team history. ... Every Minnesota starter had a hit.TRAINERS ROOMRangers: Yu Darvish threw a 32-pitch bullpen session. The Rangers will see how he feels Friday before determining if the right-hander will make his next rehab start Saturday or Sunday for Double-A Frisco. ... 1B Mitch Moreland was out of the starting lineup for the fifth consecutive day because of a mild strain in his right calf. He is expected to play Friday.UP NEXTTwins: RHP Kyle Gibson (2-5) goes for third consecutive victory. He has gone at least six innings in each of his last four starts, including last Sunday at home to beat Texas.Rangers: All-Star LHP Cole Hamels (9-2, 2.93 ERA) makes his second consecutive start against the Twins, who had five runs and 10 hits off him in four innings Sunday at Minnesota -- his shortest start since being acquired by the Rangers last July. He still has a chance to become the first Texas pitcher in four seasons to get 10 wins by the All-Star break. Cheap Old Skool Free Shipping .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Wholesale Old Skool . 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AUBURN, Ala. -- Bruce Pearl understands if you arent sure what to expect from Auburns basketball team.Most of the roster is comprised of underclassmen and newcomers, including top recruit Mustapha Heron, redshirt freshman Danjel Purifoy and two graduate transfers.Pearl has gotten used to the mystery created by newness since taking over the Auburn program three years ago.For the third straight year, we have six or seven new guys on scholarship, so how could you possibly know as a person, as an observer, as somebody in the media or even me as a coach? he said. Part of the real challenge in building the program is just the fact that the roster has had to be reconstructed, and yet I wouldnt have done it any other way, because there really werent any other options.While it may be restructured and very new, weve got eight very, very solid freshmen and sophomores that are all good players. And so now the foundation is built and a good percentage of our team will return next year, and thats not something weve had yet.It still makes for an uncertain present even if the future seems bright. The Tigers are picked to finish 11th in the Southeastern Conference.Pearl has experienced the first two losing seasons of his 21-year head coaching career since taking over Auburns downtrodden program.The Tigers were 11-20 last season amid injury problems and the early departure of star Kareem Canty. Guard T.J. Dunans is back after averaging 11.6 points in 16 games before going down with a left knee injury.Freshman Bryce Brown also averaged double digits scoring while setting a freshman record with 78 3-pointers. While the talent infusion appears substantial, Auburn must replace starting interior players Tyler Harris and leading rebounder Cinmeon Bowers from a seemingly perpetually undersized team.Auburn also brought in graduate transfers Ronnie Johnson (Houston) andd LaRon Smith, who was tied for third nationally in blocked shots last season at Bethune-Cookman.ddddddddddddHorace Spencer returns after ranking third in the SEC in blocks as a freshman, giving Auburn a couple of shot swatters inside. The Tigers still dont have a scholarship player taller than 6-foot-8.Here are some things to watch in Auburns 2016-17 season:PURIFOYS PRESENCE: Last years top recruit sat out the season after he wasnt cleared academically by the NCAA. The 6-foot-7, 230-pounder will likely play out of position frequently at power forward but could fill some of the scoring void.Hes got a really complete offensive skill package, Pearl said. Hell be a very difficult matchup.WHOS THE POINT: Injuries and Cantys early departure left the Tigers playing power forward Bowers at point guard at times. Pearl has more options now for the position, including newcomers Johnson and freshman Jared Harper.I would say that were going to get really solid point guard play, the coach said. Ronnie and Jared, although ones a senior and ones a freshman, are both really fast and really quick offensively and defensively. We should be able to fly up and down the floor with the ball in their hands. Well be hard to press.Theyre both really good playmaking guards and they can both shoot it.TOUGH SCHEDULE: Auburn has a difficult nonconference schedule that includes games with Texas Tech, Oklahoma, UConn and UAB.BIG CROWDS? Pearls promotional efforts and recruiting have generated some excitement. Auburn has sold out season tickets in three straight years for the first time in school history, though part of that is because the Tigers play in the smaller Auburn Arena now. Before Pearls arrival, Auburn had only managed that in 1999-2000. ' ' '