Houston @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 19, 2013 ) Houston 5, Texas 16

The Texas Rangers have controlled Houston all season but really rolled it up on the visiting Astros in the opener of their three-game set. Texas scored a season-best 16 runs – including 11 in the third inning – to improve to 12-2 against Houston this season entering Tuesday’s contest. The victory was the 16th in 20 games for the Rangers, who hold a half-game lead over the Oakland Athletics in the American League West.

Texas was closing in on its fifth straight homerless contest until A.J. Pierzynski (4-for-5, four RBIs) capped the scoring with a blast to right field. Houston is 4-3 on its nine-game road trip but has allowed 27 runs over the last three contests. Astros rookie L.J. Hoes is finding his groove as he is 12-for-25 over his last six games.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, CSN (Houston), FSN Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Jarred Cosart (1-0, 1.15 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Travis Blackley (1-1, 4.89)

Cosart has been sensational, allowing only five earned runs in six major-league starts. He won his debut against Tampa Bay on July 12, when he gave up two hits over eight scoreless innings, and has since received five no-decisions. He blanked Oakland on three hits over six innings in his last turn.

Blackley will be recalled from Triple-A Round Rock prior to the game to start against the team that let him go earlier this month. He made 42 relief appearances for the Astros before being designated for assignment and signed by the Rangers. The 30-year-old has made 23 major-league starts, including 15 while with Oakland in 2012.

WALK-OFFS

1. CF Leonys Martin and SS Elvis Andrus scored three runs apiece on Monday as every Texas starter crossed the plate at least once.

2. Astros 3B Matt Dominguez is 9-for-18 over his last four games.

3. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre is batting .400 with 15 RBIs in August.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Astros 3