Texas @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 22, 2019 ) Texas 1, Oakland 6

The Oakland Athletics halted their three-game losing streak Monday by shutting down an offensive juggernaut. Oakland looks to make it back-to-back wins when it hosts the Texas Rangers on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series.

The Athletics, who had scored a total of 16 runs while losing five of their previous six contests, broke out of their slump by posting a 6-1 victory in Monday's series opener. Stephen Piscotty went 2-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs while Chris Bassitt recorded seven strikeouts over five scoreless innings as Oakland improved to 2-4 on its eight-game homestand. Texas registered 52 runs while winning six of its previous seven contests before being tamed on Monday. Shin-Soo Choo notched two of the Rangers' six hits in the setback and has gone 10-for-27 over a stretch during which he has hit safely in six of seven games.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Lance Lynn (2-1, 4.44 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Frankie Montas (3-1, 2.70)

Lynn has recovered nicely from a dismal debut with Texas, allowing five runs while registering 16 strikeouts over 18 2/3 innings in his last three starts. The 31-year-old native of Indiana has won each of his last two turns, including a triumph over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday in which he gave up two runs and seven hits over 5 2/3 frames. Oakland is one of two teams Lynn has yet to face in his career.

Montas is coming off a victory over Houston on Wednesday in which he allowed one run and three hits over a season-high 6 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old Dominican has worked at least six frames and given up only three hits in each of his three wins this year. Montas has made one start and three relief appearances against Texas in his career, yielding four runs - three earned - and nine hits with eight strikeouts and five walks in 9 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Piscotty has gone 6-for-14 during his four-game hitting streak.

2. Texas OF Joey Gallo, who went 0-for-2 with two walks on Monday, was named the American League Player of the Week after batting .478 with four homers and 11 RBIs while recording five multi-hit performances in six games.

3. Oakland recalled RHP Ryan Dull from Triple-A Las Vegas and optioned LHP Ryan Buchter to the Aviators.

PREDICTION: Rangers 6, Athletics 4