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Wilson tries to pitch Rangers past Tribe

Aug 6, 2011 - 4:20 PM (Sports Network) - Trying to snap out of a personal funk, Texas Rangers starter C.J. Wilson will take the hill tonight against the Cleveland Indians in the second contest of a three-game set at the Ballpark in Arlington.

Since winning back-to-back starts in the middle of July, the southpaw has gone winless over three starts, losing two of them. The last time Wilson was on the hill he was simply dominated by Toronto, as he allowed seven runs -- five earned -- on seven hits in less than four innings of work.

Wilson, who at one point in his career was a tough lefty out of the bullpen, has made 21 appearances against the Indians, but only three starts. One of those starts came earlier this year when his tossed 7 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball. Wilson struck out seven in the win and scattered three hits.

As for the Indians, they will hand the ball to Fausto Carmona, who has been very inconsistent this season. Every once in a while Carmona will throw a gem, but those rare efforts are surrounded by poor showings.

For example, over his last six starts he has just one win. The last time Carmona was on the hill he suffered his 11th loss, allowing four runs against Kansas City. The right-hander lasted 7 1/3 innings, but allowed six hits and walked three batters.

One of Carmona's poor starts came against the Rangers earlier this season. In that matchup, the veteran twirler surrendered four runs on seven hits. Throughout his career Carmona has struggled against Texas, posting just a 2-7 mark with a 5.43 ERA in 10 starts.

Last night, the Rangers pulled out a thrilling 8-7 victory over the Indians after Elvis Andrus scored from second base on an infield single in the 11th inning, spoiling Ubaldo Jimenez's Cleveland debut.

The Rangers clawed back from a 7-2 deficit and sent the game to extra innings on Michael Young's two-run homer off Chris Perez in the ninth inning.

The AL West leaders continued to fight with two outs in the 11th. Andrus extended the inning with a bunt single, went to second on a Rafael Perez (4-2) wild pitch and never stopped running when Josh Hamilton chopped a bouncer to short.

Asdrubal Cabrera charged the ball and threw quickly to first, but Hamilton beat the throw with a head-first slide. Andrus hustled around third and continued towards home, sliding in front of Matt LaPorta's throw to punctuate the victory -- Texas' second straight.

Neftali Feliz (1-2) earned the win in 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief.

Jimenez wasn't particularly sharp in his first American League start, but was in line for the win before Young roped a homer to center with two outs in the ninth. The trade deadline acquisition from Colorado was charged with five runs on seven hits and three walks in five-plus frames.

Texas has won all five of its matchups with the Indians this season and is 17-3 against them since the start of the 2009 campaign.