Rangers at Mariners
The Texas Rangers aim to win the series as well as post their seventh victory in 10 games when they visit the Seattle Mariners on Thursday for the finale of their four-game set. Robinson Chirinos went 3-for-5 with three RBIs in Wednesday's 7-6 triumph as the Rangers beat the Mariners for the second straight night after losing the series opener.
Texas has rolled up 16 runs and 23 hits in the consecutive victories against a Seattle pitching staff that allowed just 20 runs over the previous 10 games. Shin-Soo Choo has struck out seven times in the series for the Rangers but homered on Tuesday and is 9-for-27 with three blasts and 11 walks during his eight-game hitting streak. Seattle's Nelson Cruz is showing some life by going 6-for-13 in the series after beginning the month in a 12-of-73 funk. Jean Segura is 12-for-21 during a five-game hitting streak and has 14 recorded multi-hit performances while batting .370 this month.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Mike Minor (4-3, 5.63 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Wade LeBlanc (0-0, 2.70)
Minor halted a stretch of three straight winless starts on Friday by giving up four runs and seven hits over six innings in a victory over Kansas City. The 30-year-old served up two homers during the triumph and has allowed eight over his last five turns after giving up just two in his first five outings. Minor has posted a 7.27 ERA in two no-decisions against the Mariners this season and is 1-1 with a 4.12 ERA in six career appearances (three starts) versus Seattle.
LeBlanc has a solid 1.71 ERA as a starter, yielding just five runs over 26 1/3 innings in those five outings. The 33-year-old allowed two runs and four hits over six frames against Minnesota in his last turn. LeBlanc has faced the Rangers just once in his career, surrendering five runs - one earned - and five hits in 2 2/3 innings of relief on August 19, 2013 while with Houston.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre (hamstring) has a slight chance of being activated from the 10-day disabled list prior to the series finale, but he will receive more days off and more opportunities to serve as the designated hitter to help keep him from injuring the hamstring a third time this season.
2. Seattle 2B Dee Gordon (toe) is slated to be activated from the DL prior to Thursday's game.
3. Texas activated LHP Matt Moore (knee) from the DL to start on Wednesday - a 5 1/3-inning effort - and optioned RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx to Triple-A Round Rock.