Texas @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 8, 2013 ) Texas 3, Toronto 4

After playing a brisk 2-hour, 8-minute game Friday and a marathon 18-inning game on Saturday, who knows what is in store when the Toronto Blue Jays host the Texas Rangers in Sunday’s finale of a three-game series. The Blue Jays won both contests, with Rajai Davis supplying the game-winning single in Saturday’s 5-hour, 28-minute contest. The Rangers have matched a season worst with three straight losses while Toronto has won four of its last five games.

The 18-inning affair tied as the longest game in the history of both clubs – it was the fifth time Texas played 18 and the second for Toronto. Blue Jays designated hitter Adam Lind went 4-for-7 in the lengthy contest for his ninth multi-hit outing in his last 13 games, a stretch of 56 at-bats in which he’s batting .482. The Rangers have lost eight of their last 12 games and are just 1-7 in their last eight road games.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest (Texas), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Justin Grimm (5-4, 5.13 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Josh Johnson (0-2, 5.40)

Grimm had a three-game winning streak halted when he experienced a disastrous outing against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, allowing eight runs and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings. He had given up seven runs in 19 innings during his winning stretch. Grimm, who has never faced Toronto, is 2-3 with a 7.14 ERA in six road starts.

Johnson returned from a triceps injury suffered in April to pitch well against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. He lost the contest but gave up two runs (one earned) and six hits in seven innings in a highly encouraging outing. Johnson has faced Texas just once in his career, when he allowed one run and four hits in seven innings in 2010.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre was just 1-for-8 on Saturday but the single extended his hitting streak to 13 games.

2. Toronto OF Jose Bautista is 4-for-45 over his last nine games and his average has fallen 45 points to .254.

3. Texas DH Lance Berkman is 4-for-12 with a homer and two doubles against Johnson.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Blue Jays 4