Reds at Rangers
The Cincinnati Reds have struggled thus far on their eight-game road trip, losing four of the first five contests while being outscored 29-15. They attempt to turn things around Friday, when they begin a three-game series against the Texas Rangers. Cincinnati dropped its first two games in Arizona before salvaging the series finale but scored a total of three runs while being swept in a two-game set at Oakland.
Texas has rebounded from an ugly six-game losing streak earlier this month by winning eight of 10 games to reclaim first place in the American League West by a half-game over the Oakland Athletics. The Rangers are 7-1 in their last eight overall and completed a 5-1 road trip by winning a series at Yankee Stadium for the first time since the 2009 season. Texas is opening a nine-game homestand that will includes visits from Seattle and Houston.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), TXA-21 (Texas), MLB Network
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Johnny Cueto (4-1, 3.21 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Martin Perez (1-1, 3.65)
Cueto looks to rebound from his worst start of the season on June 21, when he was tagged for seven runs and 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings by the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 27-year-old Dominican had surrendered three or fewer runs in each of his previous seven outings in 2013. Cueto, who never has faced the Rangers, is 9-3 in 17 career starts against American League teams.
Perez is coming off a strong outing at St. Louis on Saturday in which he allowed two runs over seven innings en route to his second career victory and first this season. The 22-year-old Venezuelan lasted 5 1/3 frames at Arizona in his only other start this year, surrendering four runs - three earned - and nine hits in defeat. Perez posted a 5-1 record and 1.75 ERA in six starts with Triple-A Round Rock.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Reds have lost six of their last eight games overall.
2. The clubs are meeting for the first time since June 2007, when Texas won two of three at Cincinnati.
3. Cincinnati has fallen to 19-20 on the road thanks to its disappointing start on its current trek.