Texas @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 25, 2013 ) Texas 2, Minnesota 1

The Minnesota Twins will try to loosen the grip of the Texas Rangers when they meet Friday in the second of their four-game series. The Twins have lost six of their last seven against Texas, most recently a 2-1 defeat in Thursday’s series opener. The Rangers were ripe for a letdown after playing Wednesday night in Southern California and flying into Minneapolis at 4 a.m., but received a strong start from rookie right-hander Nick Tepesch and 2 1/3 shutout innings from three relievers.

After starting the season 9-for-16 at the plate, Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz is heating up again. He is 6-for-10 in the last three games with two home runs and seven RBIs. Elvis Andrus is also performing more like a No. 2 batter, hitting 8-for-23 in the last five games with two strikeouts. The Rangers would like to see more patience at the plate from their shortstop, however. After walking six times in the first 10 games, Andrus hasn’t drawn a walk in the last 12. Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer went hitless in Thursday’s series opener, but has still reached base in 14 straight games.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, TXA-21 (Texas), Fox Sports North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Justin Grimm (1-0, 2.70 ERA) vs. Twins LH Scott Diamond (1-1, 4.35)

Grimm will make his third start since he was called up from Triple-A Round Rock on April 10 after left-hander Matt Harrison went on the 15-day disabled list and had surgery Tuesday for a herniated disc in his lower back. Grimm was solid in his first two outings, allowing 11 hits and three earned runs in 10 innings. The Rangers won both those games against the Seattle Mariners, including a 4-3 victory April 11 against 2010 American League Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez. With starters Colby Lewis and Martin Perez close to returning from arm injuries, Grimm could help his own cause with another strong showing.

Diamond’s only appearance against the Rangers came last August, when he was believed to have thrown at the head of Josh Hamilton, resulting in an ejection followed by a six-game suspension. Diamond began this season on the DL after bone chips were removed from his pitching elbow in December. He was knocked out in the fifth inning of his season debut, a 4-2 loss against the New York Mets, but was much better in his second outing Sunday, allowing one earned run and four hits in six innings of a 5-3 victory against the Chicago White Sox. “I was able to just locate down with most of my stuff,” he said afterward.

WALK-OFFS

1. Andrus does not have an error in his last 80 chances, the longest streak of any shortstop in the AL.

2. Cruz stole 17 bases in 2010 but has swiped only 17 since, getting thrown out 10 times, including in Thursday's game.

3. Rangers OF Jeff Baker, who suffered a bruised left knee after colliding with a wall in Tuesday’s game against the Angels, is expected to available for Friday’s game. Baker gives the Rangers another option in left field besides David Murphy, who is hitting .190.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Twins 2