Josh Outman doesn't have a victory yet this season. The Colorado Rockies have barely cracked the win column in interleague play in 2012 and today hope to stop Texas' seven-game winning streak.
Also, the Rockies hope to avoid securing at least a tie for a team record for fewest wins against the American League. Colorado is just 1-12 in interleague play this year, including 0-10 against the AL West. The Rockies' fewest wins during interleague in a single season is two in 2001 (2-10).
Pitching has been the primary problem for the Rockies, who are last in team ERA in the National League. They also have been struggling at the plate, scoring two runs or less in four of their last six contests.
With defeats in 13 of their last 15 games, the Rockies will look to Outman pitching on three days' rest for hope of evening this three-game series today. The lefty, who will make his 13th appearance, including fifth start, is coming off a loss at Philadelphia on Tuesday when he allowed five hits and four runs over 4 1/3 innings. He's 1-1 with a 4.43 ERA in four career starts vs. Texas.
The Rangers counter with Colby Lewis, who has complete games in two of his last three starts. The righty, who is 4-1 at home this year, has won his last two starts overall. Lewis is 8-2 with a 1.94 ERA in his last 11 starts against the NL overall, but he's never faced the Rockies.
Last night, Roy Oswalt made his Rangers debut and fired 6 2/3 innings of one- run ball, lifting Texas to a 4-1 triumph.
In his 110-pitch outing, Oswalt (1-0) fanned six and surrendered a run on nine hits and a walk. He was chased from the contest following Marco Scutaro's RBI double in the seventh.
Oswalt left to a standing ovation.
"He used his fastball around the zone, he had a really good changeup working tonight," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "He threw some good breaking balls. He kept the defense engaged. For the most part he kept the ball down. He did an outstanding job. He was ready to pitch."
The Mississippi native signed a minor league contract with Texas on May 29 and went 1-1 with a 5.87 earned run average in four starts between Triple-A Round Rock and Double-A Frisco.
Adrian Beltre smacked a two-run homer, while Mike Napoli added a solo shot for the Rangers, who moved to an MLB-best 13-3 in interleague play. Joe Nathan registered his 16th save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Christian Friedrich (4-4) was charged with four runs on seven hits and a walk in six innings for Colorado.
"A lot of opportunities were with two outs. We couldn't start innings and sustain innings," Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer said. "It's tough to get three hits in a row with two outs."
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