Pirates at Rangers
With their first winning season since 1992 now secured, the Pittsburgh Pirates continue their quest for a division title as they resume their interleague set against the host Texas Rangers on Tuesday. Pittsburgh (82-61) snapped its four-game losing streak with a 1-0 triumph in Monday's series opener as rookie Gerrit Cole outdueled Yu Darvish a day after his 23rd birthday. Pedro Alvarez drove in the lone run as the Pirates climbed within one game of the first-place St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central.
The loss was the fourth in five contests for the Rangers, who trail the first-place Oakland Athletics by two games in the American League West. It also was their first defeat in seven all-time home games against the Pirates. Texas fell to 2-6 this month and is in danger of losing its fourth consecutive series.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Francisco Liriano (15-7, 2.98 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Martin Perez (9-3, 3.41)
It's been hit or miss over the last six starts for Liriano, who won 12 of his first 16 decisions. The 29-year-old Dominican is 3-3 since then, allowing a total of one run over 24 innings in the victories and 21 runs over 9 1/3 frames in the losses. Liriano, who is just 7-6 with a 4.36 ERA in 13 road outings this season, owns a 4-1 record and 3.10 ERA in eight career games - six starts - against Texas.
Perez looks to win his seventh consecutive start as he faces the Pirates for the first time in his career. The 22-year-old Venezuelan extended his unbeaten streak to eight outings last Tuesday, when he allowed one run over seven innings at Oakland. Perez, who is 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA in five home starts this year, has not lost since July 21 against the Baltimore Orioles.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pittsburgh has not won its division since capturing its third straight NL East crown in 1992.
2. Texas LF Jim Adduci is day-to-day after leaving Monday's contest with a right biceps strain.
3. The Pirates are an NL-best 13-5 in interleague games this season.