Detroit @ Texas preview

Detroit at Texas

Last Meeting ( Jun 26, 2012 ) Detroit 5, Texas 7

While Josh Hamilton continues to unintentionally throw his bat into the stands, the Texas Rangers slugger is also depositing his fair share of home run balls over the fence. Hamilton did both for the second consecutive day on Tuesday and sits tied with Toronto's Jose Bautista for the major-league lead with 24 homers entering Wednesday's series finale versus the visiting Detroit Tigers. Hamilton also leads the majors with 67 RBIs.

Prince Fielder homered and drove in four runs during Tuesday's 7-5 setback, but has struggled mightily versus Wednesday's starter Roy Oswalt. The hefty slugger has just five hits and nine strikeouts in 36 career at-bats (.139) versus Oswalt. Detroit has dropped three of its last five while Texas has won nine of its last 11.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSH

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Doug Fister (1-4, 2.72 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Roy Oswalt (1-0, 1.35 ERA)

Fister allowed just two unearned runs and struck out seven in his last outing, but was saddled with a loss to Pittsburgh on Friday. The 28-year-old has won just two of five career decisions versus Texas, yielding a 4.38 ERA while allowing the Rangers to bat .277 against him.

Oswalt made quite the showing in his debut with the Rangers. After weighing his options before signing with Texas, the 34-year-old allowed just one run and scattered nine hits in 6 2/3 innings en route to a 4-1 win over Colorado on Friday. Oswalt, who pitched previously for National League clubs Houston and Philadelphia, has yet to face Detroit in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas' Adrian Beltre is batting .560 (14-for-25) on his seven-game hitting streak. He is 4-for-11 in his career versus Fister.

2. Detroit catcher Alex Avila returned to the lineup on Tuesday, one day removed from having his left knee diagnosed with patellar tendinitis.

3. The game-time temperature for Tuesday's tilt was 103 degrees - the hottest of the season.