Cleveland @ Texas preview
Choctaw Stadium
Last Meeting ( Apr 15, 2010 ) Texas 2, Cleveland 3
After a 5-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, the Texas Rangers lost a home series for the first time in seven weeks. The setback ended a remarkable run since a May 21-23 series in which the Chicago Cubs took two of three in Arlington.
The Rangers hope to bounce back on Monday night, as they open a three-game series with the Cleveland Indians.
Texas sends right-hander Omar Beltre to the mound, while the Indians counter with left-hander Aaron Laffey. Laffey will be the third straight left-handed starter the Rangers have faced.
Still, the Rangers are hoping Beltre can lead the team to Victory Lane in his second career big league start. Beltre made his first start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Wednesday. He took a no-decision after lasting four innings, allowing three runs - all earned - and five hits with four walks and six strikeouts.
But simply making it to the big leagues was quite a feat for Beltre, who signed with the Rangers in 2000. But the 28-year-old had endured visa issues that did not allow him to enter the United States from 2005-09.
Beltre had not pitched in the U.S. since 2004, when he was finally allowed into the country earlier this year. Before being called up to the majors, Beltre was at Triple-A Oklahoma City where he went 0-5 with a 2.39 ERA over 15 games - including a 0-2 record and 1.25 ERA in five starts before getting promoted.
Rangers reliever Alexi Ogando had similar visa issues over the past four years, but has become a key member of the bullpen. On Sunday, Ogando threw his 11th scoreless inning to begin his big league career.
Offensively, the Rangers managed only three runs on Sunday.
Josh Hamilton belted his 20th home run of the season, extending his home hitting streak to 24 games. That is the longest streak at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, and six games shy of the club record Al Oliver set back in 1981. Julio Borbon also had a home run for the Rangers, a solo shot in the fifth inning.
The Indians, meanwhile, are looking for Laffey to have a solid outing in his third start of the season. Laffey began the season in the bullpen, but has started two straight games. He went four innings, allowing five runs - all earned - and five hits in his first start of the season against the Cincinnati Reds on June 25.
In his last start against the Toronto Blue Jays on June 30, Laffey went six innings, allowing one earned run on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts in leading the Indians to a 3-1 victory.
In four career games against the Rangers, Laffey has gone 1-1 with an 8.64 ERA.