Texas @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 19, 2012 ) Texas 7, San Diego 3

Josh Hamilton showed he still has some power after a nasty virus knocked him out for a few games, returning to the lineup with an RBI triple on Tuesday to propel the Texas Rangers to their fifth straight victory. The San Diego Padres are the current victims of the Rangers express, managing four runs in the first two games while watching the likes of Hamilton, Nelson Cruz and Adrian Beltre prove that extra-base hits are possible in Petco Park.

The Padres have dropped four of five and are hoping to avoid a sweep on Wednesday. Last in the majors in slugging, San Diego has one extra-base hit - a double on Monday from Chase Headley - in the first two games of the series. Texas is using the Padres and the rest of the National League to keep clear of the hard-charging Los Angeles Angels in the AL West. The Rangers’ 11-3 record in interleague play is tied with the New York Yankees for the best mark in the majors.

TV: 6:35 p.m. ET, FSH (Texas), FSSD (San Diego)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Yu Darvish (8-4, 3.57 ERA) vs. Padres RH Anthony Bass (2-7, 4.88 ERA)

Darvish got some extra rest prior to his last start and came out strong, matching a career high with 11 strikeouts in a win over the Houston Astros. The Japanese right-hander had been struggling with his command in previous starts but issued only two walks in eight innings against the Astros. Darvish is 2-4 with a 3.98 ERA on the road this season.

Bass has not earned a win since May 15 and bottomed out in his last start, allowing nine runs - seven earned - and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings to suffer a loss at Oakland. The 24-year-old has gone 0-3 with an 8.89 ERA in his last five starts while issuing 14 walks in 26 1/3 total innings. He has been better at Petco Park, posting a 1-2 record with a 3.62 ERA this season.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Rangers 1B Mitch Moreland left Tuesday’s game with a strained left hamstring. He is day-to-day.

2. Padres RF Carlos Quentin went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts on Tuesday, dropping his average under .400 to .373 for the first time since after his season debut on May 27.

3. Texas has yet to announce a rotation for the weekend series against the Colorado Rockies. Roy Oswalt, who has made four starts in the minors, is being considered for one of the slots.