Baltimore @ Texas preview
Choctaw Stadium
Last Meeting ( May 10, 2012 ) Texas 7, Baltimore 3
The American League West-leading Texas Rangers kick off a 10-game homestand when they face the Baltimore Orioles in the opener of their three-game series. Both clubs sit in playoff position as Texas has a five-game division lead over Oakland, while Baltimore is one-half game ahead of the Athletics for the second wild-card spot. The Rangers, who lead the major leagues with 607 runs, have won three of their last four contests.
Texas, which allowed a total of six runs during its three-game series with Toronto over the weekend, takes on a Baltimore team that has won 11 of its last 15. The Orioles rallied from an early five-run deficit to post a 7-5 victory Sunday in the rubber game of their three-game set in Detroit. Baltimore, which has won four of five on the road, must find a way to contain Josh Hamilton as the Rangers slugger is 8-for-17 (.471) with six home runs and 12 RBIs in four meetings with the Orioles this season.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MASN 2 (Baltimore), FSN Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Miguel Gonzalez (5-2, 3.38 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Ryan Dempster (1-1, 8.31)
Gonzalez posted his third straight victory Wednesday, when he held Boston to two runs and six hits over six innings. The 28-year-old Mexican has allowed a total of three runs in 21 innings while going 2-0 over his last three outings. Gonzalez, who will be facing Texas for the first time, is 3-0 with a 2.34 ERA in six road games - four starts.
Dempster, who had two extra days' rest due to personal reasons, has surrendered eight runs and nine hits in two of his three starts for Texas - including a loss to the Yankees in New York on Aug. 13. The 35-year-old veteran lasted only 4 2/3 innings in his home debut for the Rangers on Aug. 2 as he escaped with a no-decision against the Los Angeles Angels. Dempster yielded one run over 5 1/3 frames in his only career start versus Baltimore in 1999 while with the Florida Marlins.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dempster has allowed 19 runs in three starts with Texas after yielding a total of 18 over his final 10 outings with the Chicago Cubs.
2. The Rangers have won eight of 10 meetings with the Orioles since the beginning of last season.
3. Baltimore RHP Jim Johnson is eight saves away from tying the franchise record of 45 set in 1997 by Randy Myers.