The Cleveland Indians try to avoid a ninth straight loss on Tuesday evening when they resume a three-game series against the first- place Texas Rangers.
The Indians have lost the first seven of a nine-game swing and 12 straight on the road overall. They have not won as the guest since May 23 in Boston.
Monday's 6-3 loss was Cleveland's 14th in its past 17 as it failed to hold an early lead against AL West-leading Texas. Carlos Santana hit a three-run double in the third frame to put the Tribe up by two, but the Ranges tied the game in the fourth inning on Jeff Baker's two-run homer.
Texas then went ahead for good in the seventh frame, when Lance Berkman hit a two-run homer and Nelson Cruz doubled home Adrian Beltre.
Josh Lindblom pitched six innings in the start, giving up three runs on five hits with a walk and six strikeouts in a no-decision.
"After he gave up those three runs he really locked in," Rangers manager Ron Washington said of Lindblom. "He kept us around and gave us a chance. He pitched well tonight."
Texas began an 11-game homestand with a second straight victory overall and leads second-place Oakland by a game in the AL West. The Rangers conclude their residency with four straight against the A's.
Scott Kazmir (3-4) gave up four runs on eight hits with two walks and five strikeouts in six-plus innings to drop his second straight start for Cleveland.
"We're struggling," Kazmir admitted. "It's just little things that cost us a game. It could be a pitch. It could be defensively, offensively."
Things won't get any easier tonight for the Indians, who will face off against the rolling Derek Holland.
The Texas left-hander has not lost since April 27, going 4-0 with a 2.31 earned run average in six May starts. The Rangers won all six games.
Holland did not get a decision last time out on Thursday in Boston to open his June slate, yielding a pair of runs over six frames in his club's 6-3 setback.
"He wasn't at his best, but he found a way to hold the lead and keep us in the ball game," said Washington. "That's just the maturity of Derek Holland."
The 26-year-old Holland is 5-2 with a 2.82 ERA in 12 starts this season and has never lost when facing the Indians. He is 3-0 in six previous meetings with a 2.31 ERA.
Indians righty Corey Kluber, meanwhile, will face the Rangers for the first time in his career and is winless in his past four starts. He is 0-2 in that span and Cleveland is without a victory.
Kluber, 27, is coming off a setback at the New York Yankees on Wednesday, charged with six runs -- four earned -- over six innings. He did strike out at least eight for the third time in four starts, but fell to 3-4 with a 4.56 ERA in 10 games (8 starts) this season.
Texas has won 13 of its last 16 home games against the Tribe and 27 of the previous 35 meetings overall.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.