Cincinnati @ Texas preview
Globe Life Park in Arlington
Last Meeting ( Jun 29, 2013 ) Cincinnati 6, Texas 4
The Cincinnati Reds wasted little time ending their scoreless drought on Saturday and went on to post a much-needed victory. They'll look to win their first series in two weeks when they visit the Texas Rangers on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game interleague set. Cincinnati entered Saturday having lost three straight contests, the last two via shutout.
Shin-Soo Choo ended the 22-inning drought quickly, homering on the first pitch of the game, and Devin Mesoraco belted a two-run shot in the 11th frame as the Reds improved to 2-5 on their eight-game road trip. The loss ended Texas' three-game winning streak and dropped it to 8-2 over its last 10 contests. The Rangers vie for their fourth straight series win since being swept in a four-game set by the Toronto Blue Jays from June 13-16, while the Reds attempt to capture their first series since taking two of three from the Milwaukee Brewers that same weekend.
TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), FSN Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mat Latos (7-1, 3.05 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Yu Darvish (7-3, 2.95)
Latos rebounded nicely from his first loss in 23 starts, allowing one run and six hits over 7 2/3 innings at Arizona on June 23 while matching his career high with 13 strikeouts in the win. The 25-year-old was beaten by Pittsburgh five days earlier as he surrendered three runs on only three hits in five frames. Latos, who is 3-0 with a 2.93 ERA in nine road outings this season, never has faced the Rangers.
Darvish is looking to halt a winless streak that reached seven games on Tuesday, when he yielded three runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision at the New York Yankees. The 26-year-old native of Japan has not won since allowing four runs over eight frames against the Detroit Tigers on May 16. Darvish, who will be facing Cincinnati for the first time in his career, is 4-2 with a 3.05 ERA in nine home outings this year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Darvish has served up five home runs over his last two starts, with all five leading off an inning.
2. Latos' most recent loss prior to June 18 came against the St. Louis Cardinals on Aug. 24.
3. Choo's leadoff homer was his second of the road trip, fifth of the season and the 10th of his career.
PREDICTION: Reds 4, Rangers 1