Rangers at Mariners
The Texas Rangers seek to end a season-worst eight-game slide when they visit the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series. The Rangers lost the opener 7-3 and have been outscored 69-26 during their skid to fall to .500 through 100 games.
Texas is looking to avoid its first nine-game losing streak since 2003 when a team featuring Alex Rodriguez, Rafael Palmeiro, Mark Teixeira, Juan Gonzalez and Michael Young went 71-91. The current Rangers have seven players with 12 or more homers with Rougned Odor hitting No. 15 in the series opener and All-Star Joey Gallo leading the club with 22. Austin Nola belted a three-run shot and Kyle Seager added a solo blast as Seattle won for the just the fourth time in 19 games. Mallex Smith recorded a two-run single and has collected three RBIs over his last two games after going 19 contests without one.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Pedro Payano (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Tommy Milone (1-4, 3.95)
Joe Palumbo was scratched due to an ankle injury, prompting the Rangers to recall Payano from Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday to be the primary pitcher in what will be his second major-league appearance. A reliever likely will be used as the "opener" before giving way to Payano, who pitched a scoreless inning of relief for the Rangers on July 6. Payano, 24, is 5-3 with a 4.40 ERA in 16 appearances (15 starts) at the Double- and Triple-A levels this season.
Milone will follow an unspecified "opener" as he looks to bounce back from a poor outing. The 32-year-old served up three shots versus Oakland in his last appearance as he gave up five runs and five hits over 4 1/3 innings while suffering the loss in a 10-2 decision. Milone's lone victory came against Texas on May 27, when he gave up two runs and four hits over 5 2/3 innings, and he stands 4-5 with a 4.34 ERA in 12 career starts versus the club.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rangers, who are 19-29 on the road, have slipped 6 1/2 games behind Oakland for the American League's second wild-card spot.
2. Seattle 2B Dee Gordon (quadriceps) departed the series opener and is questionable for Tuesday.
3. Texas placed Shawn Kelley (biceps) on the 10-day injured list and recalled fellow RHP Rafael Montero from Nashville.