Oakland @ Texas preview
Choctaw Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jun 7, 2012 ) Texas 1, Oakland 7
The Texas Rangers are flexing their muscle and leaving plenty in their wake. Winner of six straight series and 10 of its last 12 contests overall, Texas will open a four-game set versus the visiting Oakland Athletics on Thursday. David Murphy belted two homers and matched a career high with five RBIs and Ian Kinsler went deep for the second consecutive game in a 13-9 triumph over Detroit on Wednesday.
While nearly ever member of the Rangers flourished, Josh Hamilton went 0-for-4 with as many strikeouts. Hamilton is 6-for-36 in his last 10 games, but Texas has overcome his struggles to secure the most wins in the league (47). Coco Crisp and Cuban rookie Yoenis Cespedes homered during Oakland's 2-1 win over Seattle on Wednesday. The Athletics mustered just five runs en route to winning two of three from the Mariners.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, CSCA (Oakland), FSH (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Tyson Ross (2-7, 6.02 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Scott Feldman (1-6, 6.00)
Ross is mired in a four-game losing skid - and a lack of control hasn't helped matters. The 25-year-old has walked 17 batters while allowing five homers in his last five games. Ross yielded five runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings in a 9-8 loss to San Francisco on Saturday. He won his lone career decision versus Texas.
With right-hander Colby Lewis headed to the disabled list with forearm tendinitis, Feldman will be called upon to cushion the blow. The 29-year-old Hawaiian finally tasted victory after working six solid innings in a 7-3 triumph over San Diego on June 19. He did yield a season-high eight runs in just 1 2/3 innings in an eventual 12-1 loss to Oakland on June 4.
WALK-OFFS
1. Adrian Beltre extended his hitting streak to eight games and went 7-for-13 in the series.
2. Oakland has allowed just 63 hits over its last 12 games, an average of 5.25 per contest.
3. Texas LHP Derek Holland tossed 39 pitches in a rehabilitation start with Triple-A Round Rock. Holland is on the 15-day disabled list with a fatigued left shoulder.