Baltimore @ Texas preview
Choctaw Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 21, 2012 ) Baltimore 5, Texas 3
The Baltimore Orioles try to avoid their first series loss since late July when they take on the Texas Rangers in the rubber game of their three-game set. Baltimore has gone 5-0-1 in series since dropping two of three at home to Oakland from July 27-29. The Orioles, who have won 12 of their last 17 overall games and five of seven on the road, climbed within five games of the first-place New York Yankees in the American League East and maintained their half-game lead over Oakland for the second wild-card spot with Tuesday's 5-3 victory.
Texas, which is 1-1 on its 10-game homestand, has won nine of its last 11 meetings with Baltimore. The Rangers saw their lead over Oakland in the AL West shrink to five games with Tuesday's loss. The club, which leads the major leagues with 615 runs, has won four of its last six contests. With a loss on Wednesday, Texas will have dropped two of its last three series.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MASN 2 (Baltimore), FSN Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Tommy Hunter (4-7, 5.49 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Derek Holland (7-6, 4.98)
Hunter is winless in his last five starts, including a no-decision at Detroit on Friday in which he allowed three runs and four hits over six innings. The 26-year-old former Ranger has posted just one victory since topping Pittsburgh on June 14, going 1-4 in 10 games - including three relief appearances. Hunter, who is 1-5 on the road this season, took the loss in his only career start against his former team on May 10.
Holland is coming off his third straight no-decision as he yielded five runs - four earned - in 5 2/3 innings against the Yankees in New York on Thursday. The 25-year-old has had his troubles of late, going 1-2 over his last six starts while surrendering five or more runs four times during that span. Holland defeated Hunter and the Orioles in Baltimore on May 10, allowing three unearned runs in six frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Orioles RF Nick Markakis is hitting .331 with five home runs and 16 RBIs in 38 games since being moved into the leadoff spot in the batting order.
2. Hunter is 14-4 with a 3.58 ERA in 30 career games at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
3. Baltimore RHP Jim Johnson is seven saves away from tying the franchise single-season record of 45 set in 1997 by Randy Myers.