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Jul 7, 2010 - 5:07 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

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

After a rough five-game stretch to open July, the Texas Rangers appear to have found some life at the plate.

Coming off a big offensive effort, the Rangers look to avoid a third straight losing series Wednesday night against the Cleveland Indians.

Texas totaled 13 runs while dropping four of five before a 12-1 victory Tuesday to even this three-game set.

The AL West-leading Rangers (49-34) have not won consecutive games since taking the final two of a three-game series against Houston from June 25-27.

Josh Hamilton extended his home hitting streak to 26 games after going 2 for 4 with his 21st homer Tuesday. Shortstop Joaquin Arias drove in four runs in place of All-Star Elvis Andrus, who got the night off as the Rangers recorded 17 hits.

Hamilton, who has the second-longest home hitting streak in club history behind Al Oliver's 30 games in 1981, is batting .342 overall and .365 at home. He's hitting .364 against the Indians this season.

After C.J. Wilson allowed a run and two hits in six innings, scheduled starter Colby Lewis (7-5, 3.35 ERA) looks to give the Rangers a second straight strong effort.

Since going 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA from June 8-19, Lewis is 0-1 with a 5.73 ERA in his last two starts. He didn't receive a decision after allowing three runs in six innings of a 5-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Friday.

The right-hander is 1-0 with a 7.00 ERA in two career starts against Cleveland. He gave up two runs and struck out 10 in 5 1-3 innings of a 6-2 win April 14.

Cleveland (33-50) managed five hits Tuesday, one night after pounding out 12 in a 9-3 victory. Jayson Nix had two hits and notched his fifth homer as the Indians lost for the third time in 10 games.

Nix, 4 for 8 with three homers and four RBIs in the series, is batting .316 in 11 games since the Indians picked him up after he was released by the White Sox.

Cleveland could use another strong game from Nix if first baseman Matt LaPorta is to miss a second straight contest after taking an accidental elbow to the head from Andrus on Monday. LaPorta has hit four of his five homers in the last seven games.

"That's a delicate thing and we're just being cautious with him," manager Manny Acta said.

Cleveland's Mitch Talbot (8-7, 3.86) takes the mound after he allowed three runs and walked four in 5 1-3 innings of a 3-0 loss to Oakland on Friday. Though Talbot has lost two of three starts, he has a 2.33 ERA during that span.

The right-hander is facing Texas for the first time.