Mariners at Rangers
The Texas Rangers look for their fourth straight win and seventh in eight contests when they conclude their three-game series against the visiting Seattle Mariners on Wednesday afternoon. Texas posted a 5-3 victory on Tuesday and has scored a total of 15 runs in the first two games of the set.
Joey Gallo slugged his second homer in two days - and 15th of the season - and Nomar Mazara notched three hits and scored twice as the Rangers evened their record at 23-23. Six of Texas' eight hits were for extra bases, and the club has registered six homers and 10 doubles in the first two contests of the series. Seattle hitters struck out 12 times on Tuesday as the club's fortunes continue to sink with 17 setbacks in the last 22 games. Omar Narvaez, who has recorded six multi-hit performances this month, went 3-for-4 with a homer to raise his season average to .301.
TV: 2:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Marco Gonzales (5-3, 3.65 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Jesse Chavez (0-1, 5.25)
Gonzales has dropped three straight decisions and is winless in his last four starts after opening the season with five straight victories. The 27-year-old gave up six runs - five earned - and eight hits over five innings while losing to Minnesota in his last outing. Gonzales worked seven scoreless frames while beating the Rangers on April 25 and is 4-1 with a 2.60 ERA in six career starts but has served up two homers to Gallo (4-for-13) and has struggled with Shin-Soo Choo (5-for-8).
Chavez, 34, will serve as the "opener" for the second time - he tossed a perfect inning against Houston on May 11 on the first occasion. Right-hander Adrian Sampson (1-3, 4.79) will replace him after having picked up a win against St. Louis on Friday, when he gave up two runs - one earned - and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings as the second pitcher behind "opener" Jose Leclerc. Sampson, who grew up in the Seattle area, is 0-1 with a 2.35 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against the Mariners.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers RHP Shawn Kelley (throat) was activated from the 10-day injured list and recorded a save on Tuesday while LHP Brett Martin was optioned to Triple-A Nashville.
2. The Mariners placed 2B Dee Gordon (wrist) and 3B Ryon Healy (back) on the IL, signed RHP Anthony Bass, activated INF Dylan Moore (wrist) from the IL, recalled INF Shed Long and purchased the contract of LHP Tommy Milone from Triple-A Tacoma, optioned RHP Parker Markel to the Rainiers and designated RHP Ryan Garton for assignment.
3. Texas LF Willie Calhoun (quadriceps) departed Tuesday's game in the sixth inning and is questionable to play in the series finale.