Rockies, Rangers play rubber match in Arlington
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Matt Harrison's ERA has lowered nearly two runs over his last six starts. The Rangers left-hander takes the mound tonight in the rubber match of a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies.
Harrison is 5-0 with a 1.43 ERA over his last six starts to lower his season ERA from 5.21 to 3.41. He has a seven-game unbeaten string and hasn't lost since May 12 against the Angels, and tonight will be working on five days' rest. He has never faced the Rockies.
Alex White is going in the opposite direction of Harrison, having gone 0-2 over his last three appearances. The Rockies righty gave up five hits and five runs over 3 2/3 innings of a no-decision at Philadelphia on Wednesday. This will be his first outing against the Rangers.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Yesterday, Michael Cuddyer, Tyler Colvin and Chris Nelson each drove in a pair of runs as Colorado swarmed Colby Lewis early and hung on to post an 11-7 decision.
Wil Nieves hit a two-run homer while Dexter Fowler contributed a solo homer among his three hits and two runs scored for the Rockies, who had won just twice in their last 10 games coming in.
"It's been a frustrating month to say the least (but) we came out and swung the bats well today," said Fowler. "It's encouraging going into the rest of the month and July."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Rex Brothers (3-2) tossed two innings of two-hit, scoreless relief for Josh Outman, who exited after giving up eight hits and five runs over 4 2/3 frames.
Nelson Cruz finished with three hits -- including a three-run homer and solos hot -- driving in four for the Rangers, whose seven-game win streak came to an end.
Lewis (6-6) was pulled after four innings, charged with 11 hits and eight runs -- seven earned -- with six strikeouts.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I think the more frustrating thing is making good pitches and the players putting them in play," said Lewis. "That's kind of what happened today. And they took advantage of mistakes."
Despite Saturday's result, tonight the Rockies hope to avoid securing at least a tie for a team record for fewest wins against the American League. Colorado is just 2-12 in interleague play this year, including 1-10 against the AL West. The Rockies' fewest wins during interleague in a single season is two in 2001 (2-10).