The Blue Jays (54-54) lost 3-2 to Tampa Bay on Wednesday - their second straight defeat and third in four games. Toronto, which has not lost three in a row since July 1-4, has scored six total runs in its last four games after plating 35 runs while winning its previous five.

The Blue Jays scored two runs in the first inning Wednesday on a Lyle Overbay homer - his seventh of the season and first since June 19 - but went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position over the final eight frames.

"We had a chance but once again it's the same old thing that's been going on here all year, guys on third base and we can't get them in with less than two outs," said Toronto manager Cito Gaston, whose club has scored a runner on third with less than two outs at the lowest rate of any AL team.

However, Toronto plated 17 runs in sweeping a three-game series at Texas April 11-13.

Blue Jays designated hitter Matt Stairs is batting only .195 (8-for-41) with two home runs and 18 strikeouts in 12 games since the All-Star break, but has had plenty of success against the Rangers (56-53) lately, going 15-for-30 in 12 games versus Texas since the start of last season.

Stairs and the Blue Jays will get the first look at the Rangers' Tommy Hunter, who is expected to be called up from the minors and make his first career start on Friday.

The right-hander makes a spot start for the injured Eric Hurley, who has tendinitis in his right biceps.

Hunter, the 54th overall pick of the 2007 draft, went 11-8 with a 3.56 ERA in the minors this season, including 2-2 with a 3.24 ERA in five starts for Triple-A Oklahoma.

"We feel Tommy gives us the best chance to win," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told the team's official Web site. "He's young, but he's mature, and has a feel beyond his experience level. He deserves this opportunity."

Texas lost 8-5 to Seattle Thursday, splitting a four-game home series with the Mariners. The Rangers managed just two hits through the first seven innings before scoring all their runs in the final two frames.

All-Star Josh Hamilton was the designated hitter for the second straight game Thursday, as manager Ron Washington gave his slugger another break from playing the outfield. Hamilton, who finished the Seattle series 7-for-17 (.412) with a solo homer, is hitting .391 (9-for-23) with two home runs, two doubles and eight RBIs in five games against the Blue Jays this season.

Hamilton and the Rangers will face struggling Shaun Marcum (5-5, 3.22 ERA), who is 0-1 with an 8.71 ERA in two starts since coming off the disabled list due to a right elbow strain.

The right-hander, who hasn't won since May 26, gave up four runs and six hits in 5 2-3 innings of a 5-1 loss to the Mariners on Sunday.

"If I locate my fastball, then everything else falls into place," Marcum told the team's official Web site. "It's just one of those things. I don't know what it is right now. I've just got to figure it out."

In two career starts against Texas, he is 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA.