Rangers-Orioles Preview

BALTIMORE-- The Texas Rangers began using their newly-acquired players in the first game of their series with Baltimore on Tuesday, but the Orioles will start employing theirs when the two teams meet again Wednesday at Camden Yards.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Tuesday that he will put Steve Pearce in the lineup with left-hander Cole Hamels (12-2, 2.84) going for Texas.

Left-hander Wade Miley could be the starting pitcher for Baltimore on Thursday in the finale of this three-game series, but Showalter had not confirmed that after Tuesday's 5-1 victory which featured Dylan Bundy taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning and Pedro Alvarez homering twice.

Pearce did not start or play Tuesday as Showalter wanted to give him a day to rest some small but nagging ailments.

The Rangers played both catcher Jonathan Lucroy and designated hitter Carlos Beltran in the first game. Lucroy went 0-for-2 and scored the team's only run while Beltan was hitless in four at-bats.

The new players had no problems helping the Rangers on the field in their first games.

"It was good to see the new guys get out there," Texas outfielder Ian Desmond said. "It's fun to watch (Lucroy) behind the plate.

"The communication on the bench and stuff was really cool. Good additions, you can tell they fit in right away."

Both teams entered this series in first place in their respective divisions. Baltimore has a slim lead over Toronto and Boston in the American League East while Texas leads Houston by 5 1/2 games in the West.

Both teams made moves with the postseason in mind and the trades clearly made the teams that much better.

"They're real good," Showalter said. "They just got better, but you know what We're good, too."

Tuesday's victory gave Showalter 518 since he started with the Orioles on Aug. 3, 2010. He passed Paul Richards and moved into second place on the team's all-time list for victories.

The difference in these midseason acquisitions is that the Orioles were looking for pitching and bench help. Texas added to an already very strong lineup, something that manager Jeff Banister enjoyed putting together on Tuesday.

"It was fun," Banister said of coming up with the lineup. "A lot of anticipation what it would look like. A lot of different things that can be done. Pitchers (have) got to choose which direction they want to go."

That is what Baltimore right-hander Kevin Gausman must do in Wednesdays game. He is going through some growing pains this season; pitching well at times without getting much run support while struggling in other outings.

Gausman comes into the game with a 2-8 record and a 4.18 ERA. He allowed three homers in the first inning of his last start at Toronto on Friday and allowed six runs on six hits in just three innings overall.

Hamels, on other hand, has fared much better. The veteran left-hander is on a three-game winning streak and gave up two runs in eight innings during a 3-2 victory over Kansas City last Thursday.

Hamels has been a big help to the Rangers, who have a 16-5 record when he starts. Since the All-Star break, Hamels is 3-0 with a 0.84 ERA.