• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Rangers-Rays Preview

Aug 17, 2010 - 7:36 PM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Texas (67-50) at Tampa Bay (72-46), 7:10 p.m. EDT

A strong start to their homestand has helped the Tampa Bay Rays move into a tie atop the AL East.

Looking for a fourth straight victory, the Rays hope to fare better than the last time they faced Texas' Tommy Hunter when they continue their series with the Rangers on Tuesday night.

Just off the disabled list, Carlos Pena hit a tiebreaking single to highlight a four-run eighth inning as Tampa Bay (72-46) beat Cliff Lee and the first-place Rangers 6-4 on Monday.

The Rays have won five of seven since a season-high five-game skid, pulling even with New York when the Yankees lost Monday.

Tampa Bay, 3-1 on its six-game homestand, has won 11 of 14 at home over Texas (67-50), which has an eight-game lead in the West despite losing five of eight.

The Rangers, however, appear to have a good chance to even this series with Hunter (9-1, 3.38 ERA) on the mound. The right-hander began the season on the disabled list with an oblique strain, then pitched a five-hitter to beat the Rays 6-1 in his 2010 debut June 5.

Hunter, 2-0 with a 2.33 ERA in three starts against Tampa Bay, has gone 1-1 with an 8.76 ERA in his last three overall. Flu-like symptoms knocked him out after he allowed four runs on solo homers in three innings of a 10-9, 11-inning win over Boston on Friday.

"I don't know what happened," said Hunter, one win away from a career high.

Tampa Bay's Matt Garza (11-7, 3.92) is also looking to establish a career high for victories, but he's gone 0-2 with a 3.05 ERA in three starts since his no-hitter against Detroit on July 26.

The Rays totaled seven runs in those three outings. Garza allowed three runs in 5 2-3 innings of a 3-2 road loss to the Tigers on Wednesday.

"He's an excellent pitcher," manager Joe Maddon told the Rays' official website. "We have underachieved as an offense this year."

Garza, 4-3 with a 4.53 ERA in eight starts versus the Rangers, gave up four runs in 5 2-3 innings of a 9-5 win at Arlington on June 6. He has gone 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA in three home starts against Texas.

He won't have to face Nelson Cruz after the former All-Star was placed on the disabled list with a strained hamstring Monday. Third baseman Michael Young will also sit out after leaving Monday's contest with a stiff neck.

Elvis Andrus and Bengie Molina each had two hits and an RBI in the opener for the Rangers, who have dropped three straight on the road. Andrus is 6 for 16 with four RBIs against the Rays this season.

Pena, who saw his first action since July 31, has batted .320 with eight RBIs in his last seven games against Texas. His two hits in eight at-bats against Hunter were home runs.