SERIES PREVIEW Twins vs. Texas

Escobar looks to extend his roll at the plate

Four-GAME SERIES AT Target field

Thursday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: LHP Adalberto Mejia (4-4, 4.07 ERA) vs. RHP A.J. Griffin (2-1, 5.00)

Friday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: RHP Bartolo Colon (2-9, 7.70) vs. LHP Martin Perez (5-9, 5.13)

Saturday, 6:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: RHP Dillon Gee (0-0, 4.15) vs. Cole Hamels (5-1, 4.01)

Sunday, 1:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: RHP Jose Berrios (9-5, 3.57) vs. undecided

TWINS UPDATE

Eduardo Escobar has a six-game hitting streak, during which he is batting .292 with a home run and five RBI. ... Miguel Sano hit his 25th home run of the season on Wednesday. His next home run will establish a career high. ... The Twins took two of three games from the Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington in April. Phil Hughes got the win over Perez in the series opener. ... The Twins have not lost a home series to the Rangers since 2012. ... Jason Castro is 6-for-18 against Griffin, with four home runs. Two of those home runs have come over his last three plate appearances against Griffin.

Rangers update

The Twins will take a moment to recognize third baseman Adrian Beltre on Thursday. Beltre, on Sunday, collected his 3,000th hit. He's batting .270 with six home runs against Colon.

... Texas entered Wednesday 2-6 on their current nine-game road trip. They will be flying in from Seattle. ... The Rangers barely lead the all-time series, 267-266. ... Griffin is making his first start since late May because of an oblique strain. He has missed 57 games.

La Velle E. Neal III