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Aug 12, 2009 - 3:49 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Texas (62-48) at Cleveland (48-63), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Texas Rangers aren't accustomed to being shut down by Cleveland Indians pitching, particularly when facing Fausto Carmona.

Coming off a terrible performance at the plate, the Rangers look to beat Carmona for the fourth time in as many road games against him as they meet the Indians on Wednesday night.

Texas (62-49) had won three of four entering this series - averaging 8.0 runs in the victories - but stranded nine runners in a 5-0 loss Tuesday night.

The Rangers, trailing Boston by 1 1/2 games for the wild card, have had little trouble scoring runs against the Indians over the last two seasons. They averaged 9.6 runs in winning their first three games with Cleveland this year and 8.3 over the past 10.

Matchups with Carmona (2-6, 6.66 ERA) have helped Texas' cause. Carmona has lost all three of his home starts against the Rangers, posting an 8.59 ERA, and is 2-4 with a 5.35 ERA in six starts overall versus Texas.

Carmona, though, has a 2.45 ERA in two starts since being recalled from the minors. He went 1-2 with an 11.57 ERA in his previous five outings.

"He's made mental adjustments and that has led to more consistent fundamentals," Indians manager Eric Wedge said.

The veteran right-hander gave up one run in six innings against Minnesota on Thursday, but did not receive a decision as Cleveland won 2-1.

Texas will counter with impressive rookie Tommy Hunter (4-2, 2.63), who has yielded three runs or fewer in seven of his eight starts. He earned a win in his last outing, allowing three runs in seven innings to beat Oakland 6-4 on Thursday night.

Opponents are hitting .146 against Hunter with runners in scoring position, and he's given up one hit in 19 at-bats with runners in scoring position and two outs.

The 23-year-old right-hander credits part of his success to having the confidence to throw changeups on any count.

"The changeup is becoming a pitch I can rely on and which makes all the other pitches better," said Hunter, who has never faced Cleveland.

He'll be pitching against one of the majors' top lineups, which has led the Indians' surge in recent weeks. Cleveland (49-63) is batting .304 while averaging 6.4 runs over its last 17 games, winning 12.

"Obviously, we're a completely different ballclub," Wedge said of the Indians, who traded several veterans for prospects just before the trading deadline. "But the kids are fun to watch, hungry and learning. They take pride in trying to win as many games as possible."

Infielder Asdrubal Cabrera has played a large role in the Indians' recent success, hitting safely in 17 of his last 19 games. He is batting .349 with three homers, two triples and eight doubles during that span.

Former Cleveland shortstop Omar Vizquel played second base for Texas in this series' opener, going 2 for 4 and getting a standing ovation when he led off the game. The 42-year-old is having a productive season as a backup, batting .294.