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Rangers Look To Start New Winning Streak Against Astros

(Sports Network) - With their longest winning streak in 19 years now over, the Texas Rangers will look to start a new run, as they continue a three-game set with the Houston Astros today at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

On Friday, Chris Johnson finished 4-for-5 and drove in three runs as Houston snapped Texas' 11-game win streak with a 7-4 decision in series opener.

Carlos Lee and Geoff Blum each collected three hits and scored twice for the Astros, who have won three in a row after losing five straight.

Brian Moehler (1-4) broke a losing string of 10 months after allowing eight hits and two earned runs over five innings. The unlucky right-hander dropped seven straight decisions in 24 appearances since a 4-2 win over Arizona on August 22, 2009.

Texas starter Colby Lewis (7-5) was tagged in defeat for nine hits and five runs -- four earned -- over five-plus frames.

Max Ramirez picked up a pair of RBI while Josh Hamilton had three hits -- extending his hitting streak to 19 games -- and knocked in a run for the Rangers, who hadn't lost since June 11 at Milwaukee.

"It's not easy. You always want to try to keep that winning streak," Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus said. "I think we just got to come tomorrow and win."

C.J. Wilson will toe the rubber today and try to ignite another winning streak for the Rangers. The left-hander was last in action on Sunday, when he made his first career start against Houston, allowing four runs -- two earned -- and six hits over seven innings. He did not receive a decision in the team's 5-4 10-inning win over the Astros.

The Rangers have won each of Wilson's last four outings and he is also owns a 4-1 mark with 3.71 ERA in eight home starts this season.

Countering for Houston will be Josh Banks, who is set to make his season debut. Banks was signed to a minor league deal in the offseason following two seasons with San Diego.

The right-hander, who has never faced Texas, went 8-5 with a 2.97 ERA in 15 starts at Triple-A Round Rock before being recalled.

The Astros have lost eight of their last 10 to the Rangers.

Photographs by jamesbrandon, jdtornow, phlezk, flygraphix, mcdlttx, tomasland, and literalbarrage used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.