Texas @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 7, 2012 ) Texas 6, Boston 3

The Boston Red Sox take one step forward and another one back. After winning the opener of the three-game series with the Texas Rangers, the Red Sox failed to build on that momentum in dropping back below .500 on Tuesday. Boston is running out of time to go on a run, with a 10-game road trip looming after Wednesday’s series finale against the Rangers. Texas now owns the best record in the American League.

The Rangers got another multi-hit game from Ian Kinsler on Tuesday, giving him four such performances over the last six contests. Kinsler’s hot streak has taken some of the pressure off Josh Hamilton, who has quietly hit in six straight games while picking up some key RBIs. The Red Sox teased the fans with a big win on Monday but could not figure out Ryan Dempster on Tuesday. Jacoby Ellsbury, Carl Crawford, Dustin Pedroia and Adrian Gonzalez combined to go 11-for-18 with eight RBIs on Monday but slipped to 3-for-15 with zero RBIs in Tuesday’s loss.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSSW (Texas), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Matt Harrison (13-6, 3.17 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Josh Beckett (5-9, 4.54)

Harrison bounced back from a pair of losses with a strong outing at Kansas City last week, allowing two runs in 6 2/3 innings to earn the win. The 26-year-old lefty has yielded two earned runs or less in eight of his last 10 starts. Harrison has yet to face Boston in 2012 and has struggled against the Red Sox in his career, posting a 6.10 ERA in seven games - five starts. Crawford is 4-for-11 with four RBIs against Harrison in his career.

Beckett was lifted in the third inning with back spasms on July 31 and skipped his scheduled start on Sunday as the team pushed him back. The right-hander does not expect to be limited on Wednesday, when he attempts to win for just the second time since May 20. Beckett has lost to the Rangers twice this season, including a July 25 meeting in which he was knocked around for four runs and nine hits over seven innings. He is 3-4 with a 4.91 ERA in 10 career starts against Texas.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox All-Star DH David Ortiz (Achilles) had an injection in his right heel and took batting practice on Tuesday. He could be back by the weekend.

2. Rangers OF David Murphy has driven in at least one run in seven of his last nine games and is batting .347 in his career against Boston.

3. Texas has an off day on Thursday but will not skip a starter, giving everyone an extra day of rest.