Oakland @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2012 ) Oakland 4, Texas 5

The Texas Rangers seek to take another step toward sewing up the American League West title when they host the Oakland Athletics in Tuesday’s second contest of a four-game series. Texas has a five-game lead over the Athletics with nine games remaining after rallying to win the opener on Adrian Beltre’s ninth-inning single. Oakland has lost six of eight games but still has a two-game edge over the Los Angeles Angels for the AL’s second wild-card spot.

Josh Hamilton returned to the Texas lineup after missing five games due to sinus and vision problems. Hamilton smashed his 43rd homer, most in the majors. Beltre has 35 homers after hitting a game-tying two-run homer in the seventh two innings before delivering the game-winning hit. Beltre is 3-for-6 with two homers against Oakland starter Tommy Milone. The Athletics’ slump has coincided with the absence of leadoff hitter Coco Crisp, who continues to be sidelined due to a bout with pink eye. Oakland outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has five homers over his last 13 games and is batting .462 (18-for-39) against the Rangers this season.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland), Fox Sports Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Tommy Milone (13-10, 3.86 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Yu Darvish (16-9, 3.90)

Milone has won four of his last five decisions. He received a no-decision in his last outing when he gave up three runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. Milone is 0-2 with a 3.75 ERA in two starts against Texas.

Darvish has won four straight decisions and has allowed just six earned runs in 39 innings over his last five outings. He beat the Los Angeles Angels in his last start when he gave up one run and four hits in eight innings. Darvish is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in three starts against Oakland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Beltre leads the American League with 19 game-winning RBIs, with eight of them coming in Texas’ last 20 victories.

2. Oakland OF Josh Reddick is hitless in 27 at-bats over his last six games and is batting .133 in September.

3. Rangers OF Nelson Cruz is homerless in his last 17 games and has gone deep just once this month.