Minnesota @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 23, 2012 ) Minnesota 6, Texas 10

Adrian Beltre’s power swing is back as the Texas Rangers enter Friday’s second contest of a four-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins. After having just one homer in a 29-game stretch, Beltre has slugged four over the last two games, including one in Texas’ 10-6 victory on Thursday. Josh Hamilton continued his recent surge with five RBIs for the Rangers, who have a six-game lead over the Oakland Athletics in the American League West.

Beltre and Hamilton both homered against Twins starter Samuel Deduno when the teams squared off last month. Minnesota has lost three straight games and 12 of its last 14 games. The Twins have the worst record in the American League. Texas starter Matt Harrison is pitching at home for just the second time in his last nine starts. Mitch Moreland drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning of Thursday’s win after entered the lineup when Michael Young left in the fifth inning to attend the birth of his third son.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports North (Minnesota), KTXA (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Samuel Deduno (4-1, 3.33 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Matt Harrison (14-7, 3.19)

Deduno suffered his first career loss in eight starts when he fell to the Seattle Mariners in his last outing. He gave up two runs and five hits in six innings but walked a season-high six. Control has been a problem for Deduno, who has walked 36 batters in 46 innings. He received a no-decision against Texas in early July when he allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Harrison is looking for his career-best 15th victory. He beat the Toronto Blue Jays in his last outing when he gave up two runs and two hits in eight innings. Harrison had lost four of six decisions before hurling a gem against Toronto. He beat Minnesota in April when he allowed one run and seven hits over eight innings. Harrison is 2-2 with a 3.82 ERA in eight career appearances (four starts) against the Twins.

WALK-OFFS

1. Hamilton’s five-RBI contest raised his season total to 107, best in the majors and two ahead of Detroit Tigers star Miguel Cabrera.

2. The Twins got OF Denard Span (shoulder) back from a nine-game absence for the opener but OF Josh Willingham sat out with neck stiffness.

3. Thursday’s victory was the 500th as manager of the Rangers for Ron Washington.