Athletics at Rangers
The Texas Rangers are flexing their muscle and leaving plenty in their wake. Winner of six straight series and 10 of its last 12 contests overall, Texas will open a four-game set versus the visiting Oakland Athletics on Thursday. David Murphy belted two homers and matched a career high with five RBIs and Ian Kinsler went deep for the second consecutive game in a 13-9 triumph over Detroit on Wednesday.
While nearly ever member of the Rangers flourished, Josh Hamilton went 0-for-4 with as many strikeouts. Hamilton is 6-for-36 in his last 10 games, but Texas has overcome his struggles to secure the most wins in the league (47). Coco Crisp and Cuban rookie Yoenis Cespedes homered during Oakland's 2-1 win over Seattle on Wednesday. The Athletics mustered just five runs en route to winning two of three from the Mariners.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, CSCA (Oakland), FSH (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Tyson Ross (2-7, 6.02 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Scott Feldman (1-6, 6.00)
Ross is mired in a four-game losing skid - and a lack of control hasn't helped matters. The 25-year-old has walked 17 batters while allowing five homers in his last five games. Ross yielded five runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings in a 9-8 loss to San Francisco on Saturday. He won his lone career decision versus Texas.
With right-hander Colby Lewis headed to the disabled list with forearm tendinitis, Feldman will be called upon to cushion the blow. The 29-year-old Hawaiian finally tasted victory after working six solid innings in a 7-3 triumph over San Diego on June 19. He did yield a season-high eight runs in just 1 2/3 innings in an eventual 12-1 loss to Oakland on June 4.
WALK-OFFS
1. Adrian Beltre extended his hitting streak to eight games and went 7-for-13 in the series.
2. Oakland has allowed just 63 hits over its last 12 games, an average of 5.25 per contest.
3. Texas LHP Derek Holland tossed 39 pitches in a rehabilitation start with Triple-A Round Rock. Holland is on the 15-day disabled list with a fatigued left shoulder.