• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Rangers-Tigers Preview

Jul 21, 2010 - 6:09 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Texas (55-39) at Detroit (48-44), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Texas Rangers haven't won a series on the road in this matchup since 2007. They'll get the chance Tuesday when they face a Detroit Tigers team trying to avoid its first seven-game losing streak in more than two years.

After taking three of four at Boston following the All-Star break, the AL West-leading Rangers (54-39) defeated Detroit 8-6 in 14 innings Monday as Nelson Cruz capped off his three-hit, four-RBI game with a go-ahead two-run homer.

"It was a great feeling to see that ball go over the fence, especially since we hadn't scored since the seventh," said Cruz, who is batting .522 with 10 RBIs on the Rangers' trip.

Texas, which has won 13 of 16 on the road and owns a five-game division lead, snapped an 11-game losing streak at Detroit dating to a 13-6 win Sept. 11, 2007.

"We had a couple opportunities to win the game, but we didn't get it done," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland, whose club has won seven straight series at Comerica Park and is an AL-best 32-14 at home.

While the Rangers go for their first series win at Detroit since June 25-28, 2007, the Tigers (48-43) need to regroup without one of their starters.

Third baseman Brandon Inge, who has six homers and 40 RBIs, could be sidelined for up to six weeks with a broken left hand after he was hit by a pitch in the third inning by Scott Feldman.

Don Kelly, who is batting .219 in 69 games, will likely replace Inge.

The Tigers, who last dropped seven straight to begin the 2008 season, will face Tommy Hunter (6-0, 2.39 ERA) as they try to avoid their first series loss at home since May 28-31 against Oakland. The Rangers right-hander allowed two runs over 6 2-3 innings in a 7-2 victory at Boston on Thursday to become the first Texas pitcher since Esteban Loaiza in 1999 to win his first six decisions in a season.

"It feels good, but there is room for improvement," said Hunter, who threw seven innings of one-run ball in his only start against Detroit - a 5-2 victory July 27.

The Tigers will give the ball to Armando Galarraga (3-2, 4.45), who will make his first start in two weeks.

After giving up three runs and a season-high 10 hits in a 7-5, 11-victory over Baltimore on July 6, the right-hander was sent to Triple-A Toledo because the Tigers did not need a fifth starter until Tuesday.

Galarraga, acquired from Texas following the 2007 season, is 1-1 with a 5.61 ERA in six starts since his near-perfect game June 2 against Cleveland.

He is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in three career starts versus Texas.

Galarraga should be careful pitching against Josh Hamilton, who went 4 for 6 on Monday to improve his major league-leading batting average to .353.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera, who is third in the AL in batting at .340, went 3 for 6 with two homers Monday. He is batting .415 with four homers and 13 RBIs during an 11-game home hitting streak.

Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler will try to extend his hitting streak to 13 after belting a two-run homer Monday. He is batting .321 (17 for 53) during this stretch.