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Jul 6, 2010 - 6:06 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Cleveland (33-49) at Texas (48-34), 8:05 p.m. EDT

Heading into the All-Star break with a seven-game stretch at home against two of the worst clubs in the AL was supposed to be an opportune chance for the Texas Rangers to cushion their AL West lead. Things didn't start according to plan.

After dropping the opener of their series against the last-place Cleveland Indians for their fourth loss in five games, the Rangers look to get back on track as the series continues Tuesday night.

Texas (48-34) is 3 1/2 games ahead of Los Angeles for the West lead. It hoped to add to that during a seven-game stretch that includes this three-game series with the Indians (33-49) and a four-game set with Baltimore - the last-place team in the AL East - leading into the July 13 All-Star game.

But the Rangers didn't make any progress Monday, falling 9-3 to Cleveland to lose for the fifth time in seven games after winning 13 of the previous 14.

"We were playing catch-up all night and couldn't do it," manager Ron Washington said. "They just kept pouring runs."

Despite the Rangers' recent struggles, Josh Hamilton continues to be a force at the plate. The left fielder has a 25-game hitting streak at home for the longest at Rangers Ballpark and second-longest in team history. Al Oliver holds the home record with a 30-game streak set in 1981 at Arlington Stadium.

Hamilton, named to his third All-Star team Sunday, is hitting .408 with 11 homers and 27 RBIs during his streak.

C.J. Wilson (6-4, 3.34 ERA) may not mind some offensive help as he attempts to bounce back from his first loss in a month. The left-hander threw 104 pitches while battling through 5 2-3 innings Thursday, allowing two runs and five hits with four walks in a 2-1 road loss to the Angels.

Wilson will now try to win a fourth consecutive start at home in his first start against Cleveland since a loss as a rookie on Aug. 18, 2005. His three-game winning streak in Arlington has come with a 3.32 ERA and he's 5-1 behind a 3.57 ERA in nine home games on the season.

Wilson, who spent the majority of his first five seasons as a reliever, is 0-1 with a 3.92 ERA in 19 games - one start - against Cleveland.

The Indians, winners of seven of nine, will turn to Justin Masterson (3-7, 4.85) as he tries to build on one of his best performances of the season.

The right-hander was terrific Thursday, yielding one run and scattering eight hits in 8 1-3 innings of a 6-1 win over Toronto. The strong showing came after Masterson went 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA over his previous three outings - all Cleveland defeats.

"It feels good," Masterson told the team's official website, "when it all comes together."

Masterson hasn't had that happen on the road, where he's 1-4 with a 6.05 ERA in eight games. He's getting his first start at Rangers Ballpark.

Masterson took the loss in his only start against Texas on April 14, giving up four runs - two earned - and nine hits with a season-high nine strikeouts in six innings of a 6-2 defeat.