Cleveland @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 11, 2013 ) Cleveland 5, Texas 2

The Cleveland Indians have assured they won’t go winless on a nine-game road excursion that ends Wednesday and look for a second straight victory when they meet the Texas Rangers in the finale of a three-game set. Cleveland’s victory Tuesday ended an eight-game overall skid and a 12-game road losing streak. Texas is 19-9 at home entering the third contest of an 11-game homestand as it looks to regain its early season momentum.

Tuesday’s victory was just the fifth in the last 21 games for the Indians, who were in first place in the American League Central before falling on hard times and slipping behind the Detroit Tigers. Texas is three percentage points ahead of the Oakland Athletics in the AL West and the teams meet for four games at Rangers Ballpark next week. The Rangers are averaging just 3.3 runs per game in June.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), Fox Sports Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Ubaldo Jimenez (4-4, 5.03 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Nick Tepesch (3-5, 3.92)

Jimenez struggled in his last outing and gave up five runs (three earned) and seven hits in three-plus innings while losing to Detroit. He had allowed only two runs in 15 innings over his previous two outings. Jimenez is 1-2 with a 4.37 ERA in four career starts against Texas.

Tepesch is 0-2 in four starts since last winning on May 12. He gave up six runs and five hits in seven innings while losing to Toronto in his last outing. Tepesch has a 2.67 ERA in five home starts but is just 1-2.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers C A.J. Pierzynski is 10-for-24 during a six-game hitting streak.

2. Indians INF Mark Reynolds had a run-scoring single Tuesday for his first RBI since May 29.

3. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre is hitless in seven at-bats in the series, but is 5-for-12 with a homer and two doubles against Jimenez.

PREDICTION: Rangers 8, Indians 5