Major League Baseball

Brewers-Rangers Preview

Published Aug. 14, 2013 2:27 a.m. ET

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The Texas Rangers haven't experienced many setbacks over the last two weeks, but Matt Garza hasn't exactly been at his best during that stretch.

He hasn't had much trouble against the Milwaukee Brewers in recent years, though.

After having its winning streak snapped, Texas sends Garza to the mound as he seeks another solid outing against the visiting Brewers on Wednesday night.

The Rangers (69-51) had won eight straight games and 13 of their last 14 before falling 5-1 to Milwaukee on Tuesday. Mitch Moreland's third-inning homer accounted for their only run, and they've scored three times over their last two.

Texas averaged 6.7 runs over its previous seven contests.

"There was no lack of energy or lack of enthusiasm or lack of anything,'' said catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who went 0 for 4. "It just didn't work out. Those games happen sometimes.''

One of the Rangers' defeats during their hot stretch came with Garza (2-1, 3.38 ERA) on the mound, as he suffered a 4-2 loss to Oakland on Aug. 3 after giving up four runs in eight innings.

He also allowed four runs Friday against Houston, but received plenty of run support over his seven innings and recorded a 9-5 win. Garza has allowed 11 runs over his last three starts after giving up only eight combined over his previous seven outings.

"Great team win,'' said Garza, 7-1 with a 2.10 ERA dating back to June 16 when he was still with the Chicago Cubs. "I stayed long enough in there to let the boys come back and pick it up. Sometimes you give up four and you get a win.''

It has taken the right-hander his last five starts combined against the Brewers to give up four earned runs, as he's 3-0 with a 1.01 ERA in that stretch. Garza allowed one run and struck out 10 in seven innings of a 7-2 win June 27 while with the Cubs.

Milwaukee third baseman Aramis Ramirez, another former Cub, on Tuesday ended a five-week stint on the disabled list due to patellar tendinitis in his left knee, but he went 0 for 3. He homered May 7 in a 6-3 win over Texas for the Brewers (52-67), who have won five of their last seven.

Rookie Scooter Gennett, the No. 9 hitter, homered twice and is 7 for 16 with three home runs and six RBIs over his last four. He was hazed a bit after each of his homers Tuesday.

"The silent treatment, it was actually a really good one," Gennett said. "It's all fun, it's always good to give a few people some laughs."

Milwaukee, which has a 1.57 ERA over its last eight, will turn to another youngster in pitcher Tyler Thornburg on Wednesday.

Thornburg (1-0, 1.72) has been very solid in both of his starts this season, allowing four hits in six scoreless innings of Milwaukee's 3-2 win over the Cubs on July 30 before giving up an unearned run in six frames of the Brewers' 4-2 loss at San Francisco on Aug. 5.

He came out of the bullpen Saturday for his seventh relief appearance to pitch a scoreless inning in a 10-0 win over Seattle. The right-hander has never faced Texas and has no record with a 2.77 ERA in five career starts.

Moreland has homered in all three meetings this season versus the Brewers, who have won two.

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