Minnesota @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 15, 2012 ) Texas 4, Minnesota 3

The Texas Rangers need a soft landing spot to absorb the crash from the freefall of a four-game losing streak. The Minnesota Twins should do. The Rangers lead the majors in runs but have averaged only 2.0 in the last four games and recorded only two hits in a 2-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. The Twins looked like they were making a move with a five-game winning streak but have since dropped back-to-back games.

Minnesota got its first quality start of the month on Thursday but was let down by its bullpen in a 7-3 setback at Detroit. The Twins have allowed an average of 6.0 runs in five games this month, with the starters and the bullpen taking turns absorbing damage. Texas was outscored 26-7 in a three-game sweep at Chicago this week but should be happy to return home, where it is an American-League best 27-15. The Rangers swept a three-game set at the Twins in April.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSNO (Minnesota), KTXA (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Francisco Liriano (2-7, 5.40 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Martin Perez (1-0, 9.00 ERA)

Liriano struggled in his last start, allowing five runs - four earned - and five hits in 5 1/3 innings while walking four and striking out six in a no-decision against Kansas City. The left-hander had allowed one or no runs in four of his previous six turns. Liriano is 3-1 with a 3.44 ERA in seven career games - five starts - against Texas. He has held Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton to a combined 4-for-20 with seven strikeouts.

Perez will be making his second major-league start. The 21-year-old left-hander yielded two runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings to earn a win over Oakland last Saturday. The Rangers’ top pitching prospect had gone 5-5 with a 4.59 ERA in 15 starts for Triple-A Round Rock before getting the call.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Texas RHP Neftali Feliz (elbow) and Koji Uehara (lat) are each scheduled to throw in the bullpen before Friday’s game.

2. The Twins are scrambling to find a starter for Saturday. Nick Blackburn was sent to the minors after a string of poor outings.

3. Rangers RHP Yu Darvish won the final fan vote and will join the AL All-Star team.