After dropping Tuesday's meeting to draw even at one game apiece, the Texas Rangers can close out the Baltimore Orioles with a victory on Wednesday night in Arlington.
Left-hander Derek Holland (7-6, 4.98 ERA) will take the mound for Texas manager Ron Washington in game three, as the outspoken youngster will attempt to make it through a start without allowing a home run for the first time since July 13. The 25-year-old Holland has been the epitome of a hot-and-cold pitcher in his second full year in the Rangers' rotation, but continues to strike batters out at an imposing rate (7.3 strikeouts per 9 innings).
With three strikeouts to cap off a 0-for-4 performance on Tuesday, slumping outfielder Josh Hamilton's average dropped down to .284 for the season with another hitless effort. Hamilton remains in an elite class right now for his impressive power numbers at the moment, but is hitting just .286 in August after an abysmal month of July where he posted a .177 mark from the plate.
Opposing Holland in the series finale will be a familiar face for the Rangers' front office, as the Orioles will roll with righty Tommy Hunter, a player they acquired from Texas before last year's trade deadline. Although Hunter has only managed to win seven of his 30 starts so far with Baltimore, the 26-year-old possesses a great deal of talent with an arsenal of above average pitches.
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