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Cordero returns to old stomping grounds

Jun 8, 2007 - 2:49 PM Milwaukee (33-27) at Texas (21-39) 8:35 pm EDT

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Not that the Texas Rangers have had a lot of games to save this season, but considering their current state, they could use all the help they could get.

The Rangers begin a three-game set as they host the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday at Rangers Ballpark.

The game will mark the return of several players who will be facing their former team for the first time, most notably Brewers closer Francisco Cordero, who has allowed just one earned run in 26 appearances this season and leads the majors with 22 saves.

The former Rangers reliever was traded to Milwaukee along with outfielders Kevin Mench, Laynce Nix and minor league pitcher Julian Cordero for outfielders Carlos Lee and Nelson Cruz last July.

Turning the ball over late to Cordero would be a welcome feeling for Chris Capuano (5-4, 3.80 ERA), who is winless in his last five starts. He has never faced Texas.

The lefthander did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Florida Marlins despite tossing seven solid frames, yielding just two runs and three hits with a season-high 10 strikeouts.

The Rangers will counter with Robinson Tejeda (4-6, 6.28), who is looking to avoid his fourth straight loss. He has made only one relief appearance against the Brewers over his career, as a member of the Phillies in 2005.

In Sunday's 11-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners, Tejeda surrendered a season-high eight runs and eight hits over 5 2/3 innings. It was the fourth time in the last five games that he allowed at least five runs and the fifth time all season.