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Jun 11, 2010 - 4:39 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Texas (32-27) at Milwaukee (24-35), 8:10 p.m. EDT

Enjoying their best stretch of the season, Josh Hamilton and the Texas Rangers' lineup may need another strong performance as Rich Harden takes the mound.

Following an outstanding three-game span at the plate, the Rangers hope Harden can end his struggles as they open a three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night.

Texas (33-27) couldn't solve Cliff Lee in the opener of a four-game series with Seattle, losing 4-2 on Monday night, but bounced back to score 31 runs en route to winning the next three contests. It's the Rangers' most productive three-game stretch this year.

"Everyone is pulling their weight," manager Ron Washington said. "I hope we can continue it."

A 12-3 win in the series finale increased the Rangers' lead in the AL West to 1 1/2 games over the Angels.

Hamilton had two of Texas' 17 hits, including a two-run homer. It was his fourth homer in seven games.

Hamilton had three RBIs, giving him 16 over his last 11 games. He has at least one RBI in seven straight contests, the longest such streak by a Ranger this year.

The left fielder has hit .417 (10 for 24) with two homers, a triple and two doubles in seven games versus the Brewers (25-35).

Strong hitting has helped Texas overcome Harden's woes. Harden (3-2, 5.34 ERA) is 1-1 with an 8.10 ERA over his last five starts, but the Rangers have averaged 7.2 runs in those games to pull out three wins.

The right-hander suffered a loss Sunday, allowing four runs in five innings as Texas fell 9-5 to Tampa Bay.

"It's still not going the way I want it to go right now, but I'm feeling good, I feel I'm getting stronger, making my pitches, throwing more strikes, getting ahead of more hitters," Harden said.

Interleague play may help Harden, who is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two starts at Miller Park and 19-9 with a 2.85 ERA in 44 starts versus NL teams.

Milwaukee will give the ball to Chris Narveson (4-3, 5.83), who is 1-3 with a 6.59 ERA over his last five starts. The left-hander surrendered four runs in six innings of a 5-4, 11-inning loss to St. Louis on Saturday.

This is Narveson's first appearance against the Rangers.

Brewers starters have a 5.48 ERA over their last four games, but Milwaukee won three. The Brewers took two of three against NL Central rival Chicago, winning the finale 5-4 in 10 innings Thursday.

Corey Hart, who has an NL-leading 16 homers for Milwaukee, is hitting .115 (3 for 26) with nine strikeouts in his last six interleague games. Brewers slugger Ryan Braun is batting .207 (6 for 29) with one RBI in his last seven contests against AL opponents.

This is the first series between these teams since the Rangers won two of three games at home against the Brewers from June 8-10, 2007.

Milwaukee has lost seven of its last nine interleague matchups.