Rangers at Orioles
The Texas Rangers can clinch a road series win for the first time in over two months when they continue a four-game series at the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday. The Rangers took the first two games of the set, rallying from an early three-run deficit to win Friday's matchup 7-6.
Willie Calhoun recorded his first career two-homer game and drove in four runs to lead the way for Texas, which last won a series on the road when it swept three games at Detroit from June 25-27. Jonathan Hernandez will make his first career start after three relief appearances for the Rangers on Saturday. The Orioles counter with fellow right-hander Aaron Brooks as they attempt to snap a three-game losing streak. Baltimore received three home runs in the 7-6 loss, including the 30th of the season for Trey Mancini.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), MASN2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Jonathan Hernandez (1-0, 1.59 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Aaron Brooks (4-7, 5.81)
Hernandez made his debut in the majors with 2 1/3 scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 21. He posted the same line 10 days later against Seattle and then allowed a run in one inning at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 3. The 23-year-old was 5-9 with a 5.16 ERA in 22 games (16 starts) with Double-A Frisco.
Brooks won back-to-back starts before picking up a no-decision at Kansas City on Sunday while allowing three runs over 4 1/3 innings. He has allowed just one home run in 20 2/3 innings over his last four starts. The 29-year-old gave up three runs over eight innings with 11 strikeouts over two outings (one start) versus Texas earlier in the year when he was still with Oakland.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mancini is 4-for-8 with a home run, a double and a walk in the series.
2. Calhoun was 2-for-22 with one RBI over a six-game span before his big performance Friday night.
3. Texas has clinched the season series for the fourth time in the past five years.