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It has been a long time since the Texas Rangers endured a three-game losing streak, something they will try to avoid Friday night in the opener of a three-game series against the Twins in Minnesota.In fact, before losing their past two games, Texas (51-29) hadnt dropped back-to-back games since their past three-game skid, a May 16-18 three-game sweep at Oakland.The Rangers fell to the New York Yankees on Wednesday and Thursday to split a four-game set. On Thursday, Texas lost in a particularly painful fashion: on a passed ball.Chase Headley scampered home after a 1-1 pitch with two outs in the ninth skated under catcher Robinson Chirinos glove to the backstop, giving the Yankees a 2-1 walk-off win. Shin-Soo Choos leadoff homer to open the game provided the Rangers with their only run.The Rangers are no strangers to walk-off losses -- they have a league-leading nine this season.On the whole, things are looking up for Texas. The Rangers have an 8 1/2 game lead atop the American League West after going 20-7 in June, one win shy of matching a single-month franchise record, and their 51 wins are tied for the most in the majors with the Chicago Cubs.The same cant be said for Minnesota, which also enters the series on a two-game skid -- but the Twins problems go much deeper.Minnesota (25-53) dropped two of three against the Chicago White Sox, including a 6-5 setback Thursday. The league-worst Twins went 10-17 in June and have settled comfortably into last place in the American League Central.Were giving up too many runs early in the ballgame, Minnesota second baseman Brian Dozier said. Were still making some mistakes on the bases that (go) unseen but that (would) create more runs to get over the hump.A pair of hot pitchers will toe the rubber Friday as Rangers left-hander Martin Perez (7-4, 3.44 ERA) opposes Twins righty Ervin Santana (2-7, 4.64 ERA).Perez has won six consecutive decisions, matching his career-best stretch from 2013. He has a 3.40 ERA in his past seven starts.Last time out, Perez held a powerful Boston Red Sox offense to one run on six hits and two walks over six innings in a 6-2 victory.Just keep going and continue to do my job, Perez told MLB.com. I dont want to stop. I just want to win and help the team.Perez has faced the Twins only once in his career, surrendering four runs over six innings in a 5-1 loss on July 6, 2012. Joe Mauer is 1-for-2 with two RBI against Perez, although he has hit .234 against the Rangers in his career -- his second-lowest mark against an AL opponent.Santana has allowed just three earned runs in his past two starts, including a five-inning no-decision against the Yankees last Saturday in which he allowed a run on six hits.However, the former Los Angeles Angels pitcher hasnt had much career success against Texas, going 13-11 with a 5.67 ERA in 30 starts against the Rangers.Adrian Beltre (.250, 15-for-60) has hammered Santana, smashing five home runs and driving in 15 runs against him. Prince Fielder (.389, 7-for-18) has hit three homers off Perez, and both he and Mitch Moreland (.320, 8-for-25) have driven in seven runs against him. Fake Flames Jerseys . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up. Calgary Flames Shirts . After dropping their final six games of December, the Wild opened the new calendar year with four consecutive wins. Following a loss to Colorado on Saturday, Minnesota rebounded the following night to blank Nashville 4-0, but then had the tables turned on them Tuesday. https://www.cheapflames.com/ . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. Stitched Flames Jerseys . No. 13-seeded John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber were among six players who dropped out of the tournament on Tuesday, joining No. 12 seed Tommy Haas and two other players who withdrew on Monday. Calgary Flames Pro Shop . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Reds have recalled right-handed pitcher Abel De Los Santos from Double-A Pensacola and promoted righty Matt Magill from Triple-A Louisville.The Reds also placed right-hander Alfredo Simon on the 60-day disabled list, retroactive to Sept. 6. Simon is scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery on Tuesday.Cincinnati claimed De Los Santos off waaivers from Washington on July 19.dddddddddddd He is a combined 2/3 with a 2.81 ERA and 11 saves in 46 games with Triple-A Syracuse and Double-A Harrisburg and Pensacola.Magill is 4-1 with a 4.85 ERA and 38 saves for the Bats this season. ' ' '