New York @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 24, 2011 ) NY Mets 1, Texas 8

THE STORY: The Texas Rangers look to continue their impressive interleague run Saturday when they host the New York Mets in the middle game of their three-game set. Texas has gone 19-5 in its last 24 games against National League opponents and has won eight of its last 10 interleague contests at home. Adrian Beltre helped the Rangers to an 8-1 victory in the series opener with a pair of doubles and one of his team's three two-run homers. New York is in danger of falling to 4-2-1 in its last seven series.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FOX (New York and Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jon Niese (6-6, 3.70 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Alexi Ogando (7-2, 2.66 ERA)

Niese had his string of three consecutive wins snapped last time out as he allowed five runs - four earned - over four innings in a loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Sunday. The 24-year old had yielded fewer than three earned runs in each of his previous six outings. Niese has won two straight on the road and is 3-3 in seven starts away from home this season.

After beginning his first season in the rotation with a 7-0 record, the 27-year old Ogando has lost each of his last two outings, including a start at Atlanta on Sunday in which he surrendered three runs - one earned - in five innings. He has been superb at home, going 5-0 with a 1.91 ERA in seven outings.

ABOUT THE RANGERS (41-36): Josh Hamilton and Michael Young also belted two-run homers Friday. Hamilton, who finished with three RBIs, has driven in at least one run in seven of his last eight games and has 11 RBIs during that span. Young's shot extended his hitting streak to 10 games. Beltre's blast was just his second in 25 contests and ended a 13-game drought. RHPs Darren O'Day (torn labrum in left hip) and Tommy Hunter (strained right groin) continued their rehab assignments with Triple-A Round Rock on Friday. O'Day started and tossed a scoreless inning against New Orleans before being relieved by Hunter, who was tagged for six runs and nine hits in four frames.

ABOUT THE METS (37-39): Jason Bay raised his average to .241 by going 3-for-4. The high-priced, underachieving outfielder has recorded multiple hits in five of his last nine games. Friday began a stretch during which New York plays 16 of 19 games on the road. The Mets will have two prospects participating in the All-Star Futures Game this year. RHP Matt Harvey, who currently is with Double-A Binghamton, will be on the U.S. team while IF Jefrey Marte of Single-A St. Lucie was named to the World team.

FINAL PITCH: The final two games of the series will be played in the afternoon. The Rangers have not played consecutive home games in the brutal Texas afternoon heat between June 21 and the end of August since Aug. 6-7, 2005 against Baltimore.