video thumbnail

CIN@HOU: Lyles allows just two runs through seven

Starting Friday, the Rangers will host the Astros for the final Interleague edition of the Lone Star Series. With the Astros moving to the American League West next year, the two Texas teams will meet a lot more often in 2013.

In May, the Rangers took two of three from the Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Jordan Lyles will take the mound for Houston. He is 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA in three starts against Texas. Lyles faced the Rangers in May, going five innings and giving up six runs and nine hits.

Lyles' best career start against the Rangers came last year in Arlington. He went seven innings, giving up three runs, two coming on solo homers.

"It's going to be fun," Lyles said. "It's going to be my fourth time facing them. I did it twice last year. They have a high-powered offense. Pitching at Rangers Park, it's going to be hot and I should be loose. Last year, I think I had a decent outing there, and I hope to continue that this year."

His issue in 2012 has been avoiding big innings. The Rangers scored five in the first inning off Lyles back in May. Opponents have scored four or more runs in an inning off Lyles in three of his six starts.

Yu Darvish, the Rangers' starter on Friday, didn't face the Astros in the first series. Darvish (7-4) had his worst outing of the season in his last start, giving up six runs and six hits and walking six batters in 5 1/3 innings against the A's. His 3.72 ERA is the highest it has been since April 14.

He was set to pitch on Wednesday, but the Rangers decided to give him a couple of extra days of rest.

"He's fine; he just had a bad outing," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "A couple of extra days won't hurt him. It will probably do him some good. He just had some trouble with his mechanics and couldn't make the adjustment. Usually he does. He's fine physically."

Darvish said he didn't know if he was feeling fatigue before getting the rest, but acknowledged that the extra days and two bullpen sessions should help him going forward.

"Mentally, I can't wait to throw again," Darvish said. "I want to throw as soon as possible. When you come off a bad start, you want to get on the mound as soon as possible."

Darvish is 5-0 at home and 2-4 on the road, but his home/away pitching splits aren't all that different. At Rangers Ballpark, Darvish has a 3.38 ERA in 32 innings. On the road, he has a 3.98 ERA in 40 2/3 innings.

Rangers: Grimm to start Saturday
The Rangers announced Thursday that right-hander Justin Grimm will start Saturday's game against the Astros.

Grimm will be making his Major League debut. Koji Uehara, who has a right lat muscle strain, will likely be put on the 15-day disabled list to make room on the roster. The Rangers will likely purchase Grimm's contract Saturday.

Grimm, 23, will be the first player from the Rangers' 2010 First-Year Player Draft to make the Major Leagues. He was drafted in the fifth round out of the University of Georgia.

In 77 innings at Double-A Frisco, Grimm went 8-3 with a 1.87 ERA and 67 strikeouts. He was named the Rangers' Minor League Pitcher of the Month in April.

Astros: Chance to use designated hitter
The Astros were able to use a designated hitter against the White Sox last weekend, and they'll get to add another hitter to their lineup again against the Rangers.

J.D. Martinez served as the DH in Chicago, going 2-for-13 with an RBI. He hit a grand slam Thursday and leads the club with 27 walks and 37 RBIs.

Carlos Lee, on the disabled list, usually serves as the team's DH in Interleague situations. Lee, currently rehabbing with Double-A Corpus Christi in Frisco, could be activated before Sunday's game.

Worth noting
• There are only standing-room tickets available for Friday's and Saturday's games. Approximately 1,500 reserved seats remain for Sunday's game.

• The Rangers are 28-12 in their last 40 games against the National League. They have a home Interleague record of 76-59.

• The Astros' biggest comeback to win this season came in their lone victory in their series with the Rangers at Minute Maid Park in May. The Astros trailed 4-0 before winning, 6-5.

MLB.com Comments