New York @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 28, 2014 ) NY Yankees 2, Texas 4

The Texas Rangers have won only seven times in their last 36 games, but the last four victories have come in series openers since the All-Star break. The Rangers look to win back-to-back games for the first time since June 27-28 when they host the New York Yankees on Tuesday in the middle contest of their three-game set. Texas can draw some good vibes from the fact that its only two come-from-behind victories since June 17 have come at the expense of the Yankees.

New York stormed out of the All-Star break by winning seven of eight games but it has dropped three in a row to fall 4 1/2 games behind first-place Baltimore in the American League East. Brett Gardner had a pair of homers as his three hits in Monday's 4-2 loss was matched by Derek Jeter, who moved past Carl Yastrzemski into seventh place on the all-time list. Mark Teixeira, who missed seven games, delivered a pinch-hit single Monday and could be back in the lineup Tuesday.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS1

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Brandon McCarthy (5-10, 4.49 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Nick Martinez (1-6, 4.73)

McCarthy has provided an unexpected boost to an injury-tattered pitching staff, winning his last two starts and giving up one earned run in each of his three turns since his acquisition from Arizona. He beat the Rangers in New York on Thursday, allowing one run on four hits over six innings to improve to 4-0 in his last five outings. Adrian Beltre has tormented McCarthy to the tune of 14-for-36 with two homers and 10 RBIs.

Martinez returned from a three-week stint on the disabled list to blank the Yankees on three hits over 5 1/3 innings on July 22 but did not factor in the decision. In search of his first victory since May 24, Martinez has gone beyond six innings in only one of his 12 starts. The soon-to-be 24-year-old rookie has been prone to the long ball, giving up 12 home runs in only 72 1/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Jeter has recorded 288 career three-hit performances, tying Roberto Clemente for the seventh-most in major-league history.

2. Rangers 1B J.P. Arencibia is batting only .152 but has collected a team-high nine RBIs since the All-Star break.

3. Yankees DH Carlos Beltran is 7-for-17 with two homers and four RBIs during his five-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Rangers 3