Tigers at Rangers
Nomar Mazara is swinging a hot bat and the slugger will look to go deep once again when the Texas Rangers host the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Mazara went 2-for-3 with a homer as Texas prevailed 7-6 in Monday's opener and has hit five shots in seven contests this month.
Mazara has collected 12 RBIs over his last eight games, a stretch during which he also has recorded four two-hit performances. Jurickson Profar delivered a tiebreaking RBI triple in the seventh inning on Monday as the Rangers won for just the third time in nine contests. Detroit has lost four of five on its seven-game road trip, and Monday's contest marked the second setback on the trek in which it has scored six runs. Nicholas Castellanos recorded three hits for the third time in five games to raise his batting average to .324.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Mike Fiers (2-2, 5.00 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Mike Minor (3-1, 4.36)
Fiers surrendered five runs and six hits - two homers - over four innings against Kansas City in his last turn but escaped with a no-decision. The 32-year-old endured major problems with Texas last season while pitching for Houston, going 0-2 with a 12.21 ERA while giving up seven homers in 14 innings over three starts. Overall, Fiers is 0-3 with an 8.90 ERA in six appearances (five starts) against the Rangers and has been touched up for two homers by Joey Gallo in six at-bats.
Minor has won back-to-back starts and each of his last three decisions. The 30-year-old defeated Boston in his last turn as he gave up three runs and seven hits over six innings. Minor has posted a 6.75 ERA in seven career appearances against the Tigers and lost his one start against them on April 28, 2013, when he gave up six runs in 6 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rangers have won five straight games against the Tigers and 15 of the last 19 meetings.
2. Detroit 1B Miguel Cabrera (hamstring) jogged for the first time since being injured on Thursday and hopes to come off the 10-day disabled list on the first day he is eligible.
3. Texas 2B Drew Robinson (hip) was scratched from Monday's lineup and placed on the 10-day disabled list, while INF Eliezer Alvarez was recalled from Double-A Frisco.