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May 24, 2009 - 12:52 AM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Texas (24-17) at Houston (18-22), 2:05 p.m. EDT

Even though the Texas Rangers are now without their best hitter, they have gotten big hits from Nelson Cruz to put them in position to make a small piece of history.

The Rangers will likely be without Michael Young when they try to complete their first three-game road sweep of the Houston Astros on Sunday after getting big homers from Cruz to win the first two contests this weekend.

Texas (25-17) played without Young on Saturday in a 6-3 win due to a sprained right ankle he suffered Friday when he stepped on Lance Berkman's foot while trying to get back to first on a pickoff attempt.

"Hopefully this is one of those things where it can't get any worse," said Young, who was using crutches before Saturday's game. "If it's just pain, I can take it."

Young, batting a team-high .345, was replaced at third base by Hank Blalock, who homered Saturday.

Cruz, however, has been the star of this Lone Star Series. He hit the winning homer in a 6-5 victory in 10 innings Friday and added two homers and four RBIs Saturday while batting cleanup for the second time this year.

"I found out (about the cleanup spot) when I got here today," Cruz said. "I didn't get excited. Being in the lineup is the thing. That's the main difference, knowing you'll be there regardless of what you do."

Cruz is 7 for 15 with four homers and eight RBIs in his last four games.

Texas second baseman Ian Kinsler is expected to return to the lineup after resting for the first time this season due to a 4-for-33 slump. Kinsler is hitting .397 (25 for 63) in his career against the Astros (18-23) despite going hitless in five at-bats Friday.

The Rangers had lost nine of their last 15 in Houston before this series. The Astros have dropped three straight despite homers Saturday by Miguel Tejada and Geoff Blum.

Texas starter Brandon McCarthy (3-2, 5.60 ERA) searches for his first win in four outings. McCarthy fell to 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA in his last three after allowing four runs over seven innings Tuesday in a 4-0 loss at Detroit.

McCarthy is 1-1 with a 2.00 ERA in two career appearances against the Astros, including one start. He is 1-0 with a 2.20 ERA in three career interleague starts.

The right-hander has had trouble facing Ivan Rodriguez, who is 6 for 10 with two doubles in his career versus McCarthy.

The Astros will counter by sending veteran Mike Hampton (2-3, 5.23) to the mound. Hampton is 0-1 with a 4.98 ERA in four home starts this year.

Hampton lasted four innings and gave up two runs and three hits while not receiving a decision in a 4-2 loss to Milwaukee on Tuesday.

The veteran left-hander is making his third career start versus the Rangers, who he last faced in 2003. He is 0-1 with a 9.53 ERA against them.