Texas @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( May 13, 2013 ) Texas 1, Oakland 5

The Oakland Athletics attempt to continue their home dominance of the Texas Rangers in Tuesday’s second contest of the three-game series. Oakland’s 5-1 victory on Monday was its fifth straight on home soil over Texas and ninth in the past 11, including the memorable three-game sweep to end the 2012 campaign that gave Oakland the American League West crown. Texas had a four-game winning streak halted Monday. The Rangers lead the division by five games over the Athletics.

Concern is growing over the right wrist injury to Oakland slugger Josh Reddick and surgery is a viable option. Reddick is hoping to avoid having an operation that would sideline him more than two months. Reddick hit 32 homers last season but had one this year to go with a .152 batting average when he was played on the disabled list last week. Monday’s loss was the third in 10 games for Texas. The Rangers scored 28 runs during their winning streak before scoring only once on Mitch Moreland’s homer in the opener.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest (Texas), Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Derek Holland (3-2, 2.54 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Bartolo Colon (3-2, 4.57)

Holland has allowed one run in 15 innings while winning his last two starts. He has struck out 21 and walked two in 22 innings over his last three outings. Holland has given up two homers in 49 2/3 innings after allowing a whopping 32 in 175 1/3 innings last season. He is 4-2 with a 2.64 ERA in 12 career appearances (eight starts) against Oakland.

Colon has been rocked hard in losing his last two outings. He has given up four homers in 9 2/3 innings during the stretch and allowed nine runs and 14 hits. Colon has issued one walk in 41 1/3 innings while striking out 27. He is 18-7 with a 3.66 ERA in 29 career starts against Texas.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland CF Yoenis Cespedes homered in the opener and later left with a stomach virus. He is expected to play Tuesday.

2. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre is batting .316 with five homers and 14 RBIs in 57 career at-bats against Colon.

3. OF Brandon Moss has two homers in the last three games and Monday’s blast was the 7,000th in Oakland Athletics’ history.

PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Athletics 2