Interleague ends

William Brigstocke

It will be hard for Rangers left-hander C.J. Wilson to follow up his remarkable June.

Wilson, voted Rangers Player of the Month by the writers and broadcasters who cover the club, went 3-0 with a 2.72 ERA and didn’t allow a home run in five June starts. In his last outing, Wilson held the Astros to two runs on seven hits in seven innings.

On Sunday, Wilson (8-3, 3.14 ERA) tries to keep that stretch going in the the finale of a three-game series against the Marlins and right-hander Javier Vazquez (4-8, 5.83) at 7:05 p.m. CT at Rangers Ballpark.

Although he hasn’t been putting up numbers like Wilson, Vazquez has been impressive in his last three starts. After owning a 7.09 ERA through his first 13 outings, Vazquez has lowed that mark in each of his last three, posting a 1.04 ERA in that span.

In Vazquez’s last two starts, the right-hander has allowed zero earned runs in 12 1/3 innings, but was a hard-luck loser in his last outing against Oakland. Despite being saddled with the loss, Vazquez said he’s been feeling much better.

“About the last six starts, seven, even though the results weren’t there, I really felt much better,” Vazquez said. “My arm feels better, my velocity’s there. I think I’ve been more aggressive. I’ve had some tough games during that stretch. I think it was mainly that I didn’t mix my pitches well, I wasn’t’ aggressive enough. The last three games I’ve tried to be more aggressive and mix my pitches up better.”

Vazquez is 2-2 with a 6.64 ERA in seven career starts against Texas.

Marlins: Petersen to play every day Prior to Saturday’s game, the Marlins designated infielder Jose Lopez for assignment and recalled outfielder Bryan Petersen from Triple-A New Orleans. Petersen has played with the Marlins before in a utility role, but came to the park Saturday and was told he will start most every day.

“I love to start,” Petersen said. “I think I’ll be able to help the team. I’m going to take advantage of it and make the best of it, taking it one day at a time.”

Skipper Jack McKeon told Petersen to play the way he was in Triple-A, where he was hitting .351 with 11 homers.

“I know he feels he’s got to get a hit and he’s got to make an impression. But I told him, ‘You’re not going to impress me if you go 5-for-5 or if you 0-for-5,’” McKeon said. “I just want you to relax, have fun and do whatever it takes to help us win a game.”

• The Marlins also placed right-hander Ryan Webb on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 27, with right shoulder inflammation. Left-hander Brad Hand, who started Saturday, was recalled from Double-A Jacksonville.

• After starting at designated hitter Saturday, McKeon said Mike Stanton would be back in the outfield Sunday.

Rangers: Webb hits snag in comeback Right-hander Brandon Webb felt shoulder discomfort prior to his scheduled rehab start Friday for Triple-A Round Rock and was scratched. His immediate diagnosis was unknown, but the Rangers aren’t ready to give up on a potential return this season.

“I don’t think, at this point, that he’s not going to help us this year,” manager Ron Washington said. “We just want to get him to see the doctor, then see what the next step is.”

• The Rangers reinstated right-hander Darren O’Day from the 60-day disabled list prior to Saturday’s game, optioning left-hander Michael Kirkman to Round Rock. O’Day pitched 1 1/3 innings Saturday, giving up two runs on three hits, including back-to-back homers to Hanley Ramirez and Logan Morrison.

Worth noting • The Rangers have won eight of their last 11 games against the Marlins.

• In 10 games as Florida’s cleanup hitter, Ramirez is hitting .385 with nine runs scored, two doubles, two home runs and 12 RBIs.

• Wilson made his only career start against the Marlins on June 15 last year, allowing two runs on two hits in six innings. He also has made two relief appearances against Florida.

• Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre is hitting .432 (16-for-37) with four doubles and two homers in his career against Vazquez, while Michael Young is batting .348 (8-for-23) against the right-hander.

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