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Rangers aim to reverse fortunes versus Jays

Apr 27, 2011 - 2:45 PM (Sports Network) - Though they eventually won the American League pennant, the Rangers had their share of problems last year when facing the Blue Jays. That trend has continued this season.

Texas tries to avoid its 10th loss in 12 games against Toronto this evening in the third contest of a four-game series in Arlington.

The Rangers lost seven of 10 a season ago versus the Blue Jays, including two of the three played in Texas. They came into this series 10-2 at home this year as well, but have been handed consecutive defeats to begin this series.

After the clubs combined for five homers in Monday's 6-4 game, Toronto's Adam Lind went deep twice and had five RBI in last night's 10-3 victory. Lind upped his home run total on the season to three while also driving in a run with a single during a five-run first inning. Juan Rivera and J.P. Arencibia also drew bases-loaded walks in the frame to get to Texas starter Matt Harrison early.

"We swung the ball well the last two nights," Toronto manager John Farrell said on Toronto's official website. "We came out and manufactured a big inning without the long ball."

Toronto had lost six of eight coming in, but has now won the first two of a 10-game road swing. A victory tonight would put the Blue Jays back to the .500 mark for the first time since they were 7-7 on April 16.

Harrison, meanwhile, had given up just six earned runs over his first four starts, but was tagged for seven in three innings last night. All three of Texas' runs came in the second inning, with Julio Borbon connecting on a two- run single.

Michael Young came into the game with a 15-game hitting streak for Texas, but failed to produce a hit for just the third time in 23 games this season as the Rangers lost their second straight to fall to 4-4 on a 10-game homestand. They also now lead the Angels by just a half-game for first place in the AL West.

While the first inning doomed Harrison and the Rangers last night, it was one bad inning that could have hurt hurler Derek Holland in his last start and he seeks to bounce back this evening.

Holland gave up all of five of his runs in the fourth inning of Sunday's game versus the Royals, but got plenty of backing in an 11-6 win. The left-hander lasted seven innings in total and struck out nine to improve to 3-1 with a 4.39 earned run average after also giving up five runs in a loss his previous time out.

"It's about confidence. We have confidence in what Derek is doing. He ran into one bad inning, but it gave our offense a chance to open things up a little bit, which we did," said Texas' Ian Kinsler.

The 24-year-old Holland is 1-1 with an unsightly 8.71 ERA in three games versus the Blue Jays -- including two starts -- but has handled Toronto slugger Jose Bautista, who is hitless in five career at-bats versus Holland.

Toronto's Jo-Jo Reyes is still looking for his first victory of the season and he will try to capture that elusive win tonight.

Reyes has allowed at least four runs in three of his four starts, going 0-2 with a 6.20 ERA. After consecutive losses, the left-hander did not factor into the decision of Friday's game versus the Rays, giving up four runs on six hits over seven innings with six strikeouts.

Reyes, 26, has faced the Rangers just once before. He did so on June 18, 2008 as a member of the Braves and got a no-decision despite giving up only two runs -- one earned -- over seven innings.