Texas @ Houston preview
Minute Maid Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 18, 2010 ) Texas 9, Houston 3
At a time when the Texas Rangers' rotation is in question, Colby Lewis has been the one constant. He has gone at least five innings in all of his 13 starts, including four outings in which he has struck out 10 or more batters.
Lewis is back on the hill for the Rangers on Saturday night, as they'll look for their sixth straight win when they face the Houston Astros in the second of a three-game series. The Astros will counter with right-hander Brian Moehler.
Lewis, who is back in the big leagues after spending two years in Japan, is coming off one of his best starts this season. He pitched eight innings, allowing two runs on three hits with a walk and 10 strikeouts in a 7-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.
The Rangers need Lewis to continue to be the workhorse, especially with hurlers Derek Holland and Rich Harden on the disabled list. In addition, Tommy Hunter left after 2 1/3 innings on Wednesday with a strained right hip flexor.
Lewis didn’t only get it done on the mound, either. He came through with a clutch two-run single and finished 2-for-4 at the plate.
More impressively, Lewis struck out 10 batters for the fourth time this season, becoming the first Rangers’ pitcher with four 10-strikeout outings since Nolan Ryan did it back in 1991.
In his last five starts, Lewis is 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA, and opponents are hitting a diminutive .197 against him. In his two interleague starts this season, Lewis is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA, along with 14 strikeouts and only four walks.
In three career relief appearances against the Astros, Lewis has thrown 4 1/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
Offensively, the Rangers scored six runs in the third inning on Friday en route to a 9-3 victory. Justin Smoak highlighted the offensive outburst with a two-run double and a two-run home run. Josh Hamilton and Matt Treanor also had RBI hits on the night.
The Astros, meanwhile, are hoping Moehler can earn his first victory of the season in his fifth start. The veteran Moehler, who moved into the rotation in May, will need to improve upon his previous four starts.
Against the New York Yankees on Sunday, Moehler went only 4 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on four hits with five walks and four strikeouts. He threw 99 pitches.
Offensively, the Astros struggled Friday and only scored after they were trailing 9-0. Hunter Pence had an RBI double, and Geoff Blum and Jason Michaels added RBI singles.
The Astros are in danger of losing the Silver Boot for the third straight season, as they dug themselves an early hole in the 10th annual Lone Star Series. The team with the best record takes the award and - in the event of a tie - the total margin of victory decides the winner.