Arenado aims to keep streak alive against Rangers

(SportsNetwork.com) - Nolan Arenado tries to set a franchise record by hitting in his 28th straight game on Thursday when the Colorado Rockies close out the back end of a home-and-home four-game series with the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park.

Arenado matched Michael Cuddyer's Rockies record from last season on Wednesday, as he went 3-for-5 with a pair of RBI in Colorado's 9-2 win.

"I'm trying to stay within myself, I'm not trying to get too big, or trying to hit the home run," Arenado said. "I'm just trying to hit the ball hard. I'm going to keep on saying that until the year is over."

Corey Dickerson knocked in two runs for the Rockies, who have won three straight against Texas this week. Carlos Gonzalez hit a solo homer.

Jorge De La Rosa (4-3) allowed two runs on three hits with three walks over six innings.

Adrian Beltre hit a two-run homer for the Rangers, who saw starter Colby Lewis (2-2) give up seven runs on 12 hits over 3 2/3 innings.

"We're struggling a little bit and we've run into a red-hot team," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "Everything Colby threw up in the strike zone, they hit and they hit hard. They are swinging the bats well."

Texas, which has now lost eight of 10, will try to slow Arenado down with Matt Harrison on the hill, as he aims for his first win of the season. Harrison couldn't get out of the fifth inning on Saturday in Anaheim, as he allowed three runs on 10 hits and three walks in just 4 1/3 frames of his team's 5-3 loss.

Both of Harrison's starts this season have come on the road. This will be his first start in Arlington since April 6 of last season. He was shut down with a herniated disc in his lower back after that and missed the rest of the season.

"It's going to be good, the first time pitching in front of all our fans," Harrison said. "I will have a little more adrenaline flowing. I just need to go out there and settle those Rockies bats down, make my pitches and make them feel comfortable."

The Rockies, meanwhile, will turn to lefty Franklin Morales, who is 3-1 with a 5.05 ERA. Morales did not get a decision on Saturday against the New York Mets and was not impressive, as he allowed six runs (5 earned) and nine hits in five innings of his team's 11-10 win.

"I just tried to keep competing, you know?" Morales said. "I know we've got a great team here."

This will be Morales' first start against the Rangers. He has faced them six times out of the bullpen, though, and has pitched to a 9.00 ERA.

Colorado lost two of three in its last trip to Arlington back in 2012.