Houston Astros vs Texas Rangers Live Streaming

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3:05 pm EDT Sat Jun 26, 2010

The Texas Rangers’ longest winning streak in 19 years is history. Now they can focus on avoiding their first series loss to the Houston Astros in exactly two years. The AL West-leading Rangers look to even the series Saturday afternoon when the teams resume their three-game set in Arlington. Texas had its 11-game winning streak snapped Friday, losing 7-4 to Houston. It ended the longest winning streak in the majors this season and the longest for the Rangers since a franchise-record 14-game run in May 1991. Despite the loss, Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton continued his torrid pace at the plate with three more hits. The two-time All-Star is batting .506 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs during a career-best 19-game hitting streak. Hamilton and the Rangers, who are looking to avoid their first series loss to Houston since June 24-26, 2008, will look to make Josh Banks’ season debut a short one Saturday. Signed to a minor league deal in the offseason after spending the last two seasons with San Diego, Banks gets the start for Houston after Felipe Paulino was placed on the disabled list Thursday with right shoulder tendinitis. Banks, who went 8-5 with a 2.97 ERA in 15 starts at Triple-A Round Rock, makes his first start against Texas. His last victory was June 30 versus Houston.

Banks will try to help the Astros match a season-high four-game winning streak. A victory would also give Houston its first series win in Arlington since taking two of three from June 30-July 2, 2006. The Astros, who need one victory in the next two games for their first series win in an AL ballpark since June 19-21, 2009, against Minnesota, could benefit from more solid hitting from Chris Johnson. The rookie third baseman had career highs with four hits and three RBIs on Friday, and he’s batting .538 in three games since being called up from Round Rock on Tuesday. Astros right fielder Hunter Pence had an RBI double Friday and is batting .330 in 22 career games against Texas. The Arlington native is 4 for 8 lifetime versus Saturday’s scheduled starter C.J. Wilson. Making his first career start versus Houston following 10 relief appearances, Wilson did not get a decision in Sunday’s 5-4, 10-inning win at Minute Maid Park, giving up four runs and six hits over seven innings. The left-hander did not allow a run in his final five frames.