The Rangers go for their fourth straight victory Saturday afternoon at Minnesota's Target Field when left-hander Derek Holland faces Twins left-hander Pedro Hernandez at 3:10 p.m. on FSSW and ESPN-FM 103.3 and 1270-AM.
Holland (1-1, 3.25): Holland comes in off of his first rough outing of the season, when he allowed six runs in 5 2/3 innings to the Los Angeles Angels ... He had allowed four runs in his first three starts ... Holland was hurt by control issues with four walks ... He still made it to the sixth inning with the score tied before he allowed three runs, two of them scoring on a two-run single by Angels third baseman Luis Jimenez off of Rangers reliever Jason Frasor ... Holland has put up some important numbers including not allowing a home run in his last three starts, matching his longest career streak ... He allowed 32 last season ... This is his third consecutive road start ... Holland allowed two hits in seven innings at the Chicago Cubs on April 16 ... He is 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA in seven career starts vs. the Twins ... He is 0-2 with a 6.75 at Minnesota's Target Field.
Hernandez (0-0, 3.86): The Twins' fifth starter makes only his second start, with all of Minnesota's postponed games eliminating the need for his turn in the rotation ... The 24-year-old left-hander allowed three runs in five innings against Baltimore on April 7 ... He had three strikeouts and three walks ... That was the second career start for Hernandez ... He's pitched out of the bullpen twice since his start against the Orioles ... He threw a scoreless inning against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday ... He will make his first appearance against the Rangers ... Hernandez is 0-1 with a 7.53 ERA in four career appearances in the big leagues ... His best pitch is his change-up which he can throw for strikes ... He also throws a 87-90 mph four-seam fastball and he mixes in a sinker.
Hitters: Josh Willingham (3-for-11, 1 HR, 1 RBI) has had some success against Holland. Twins catcher Joe Mauer (3-for-14, 2 RBIs) hasn't fared as well. The Rangers have never faced Hernandez.
