Padres at Rangers
The red-hot Texas Rangers hope to remain that way as they seek their ninth victory in 10 games when they host the San Diego Padres on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. The Rangers posted a 7-4 win in the series opener as the torrid Shin-Soo Choo extended his streak of reaching base to 38 games.
Choo went 3-for-5 with an RBI on Monday and now possesses the fifth-longest single-season streak in franchise history as he closes in on Julio Franco's 46-gamer from 1993. Robinson Chirinos went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the opener to raise his average to .204, and he is 5-for-10 with a homer, two doubles and five RBIs over his last three games. Manuel Margot belted a three-run homer for San Diego in the opener and is a scorching 10-for-22 with two blasts, six RBIs and three walks during his six-game hitting streak. First baseman Eric Hosmer sat out the opener for the Padres, who have lost three straight games and eight of their last nine.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Tyson Ross (5-5, 3.34 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Austin Bibens-Dirkx (1-1, 4.58)
Ross has lost back-to-back starts despite giving up just four runs and seven hits in 13 innings during the stretch. The 31-year-old has enjoyed a strong bounce-back campaign after going 3-3 with a 7.71 ERA in 12 outings (10 starts) for the Rangers last season. Ross, who is 3-2 with a 2.63 ERA in seven career appearances (three starts) versus Texas, posted a 6.75 ERA in six games (five starts) at Globe Life Park last season.
Bibens-Dirkx defeated Kansas City in his last turn as he gave up one run and five hits over 6 2/3 innings. The 33-year-old has walked just two batters in 17 2/3 frames over three starts but has allowed 22 hits for a .306 batting average against. Bibens-Dirkx owns a porous 5.91 ERA over 13 career home appearances (four starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers 1B Ronald Guzman (concussion) and RF Nomar Mazara (hamstring) each departed Monday's game.
2. San Diego RHP Jordan Lyles (elbow) underwent an MRI exam that merely revealed inflammation.
3. Texas LHP Martin Perez (right elbow) struck out nine and allowed two hits over five scoreless innings in a rehab outing with Single-A Hickory on Monday.