Site: Memorial Stadium

Dates and times: Today, 7:35 p.m.; tomorrow, 1:35 p.m; Sunday, 2:35 p.m.

Season series: The Orioles won 2 of 3 in Texas last weekend.

Pitching matchups

Tonight: Kenny Rogers (0-1, 33.75) vs. Jeff Robinson (0-1, 22.50)

Tomorrow: Nolan Ryan (1-1, 5.14) vs. Jose Mesa (1-1, 3.18)

Sunday: Kevin Brown (1-1, 5.06) vs. undecided

Rangers update

The Rangers are off to a slow start, but newly signed Brian Downing has been one of the hottest hitters in the major leagues since he joined the club for the second game of the series against the Orioles. Downing is hitting .667. He has an .800 on-base percentage (16-for-20). Nolan Ryan will try to end another long drought against the Orioles, going for his first victory at Memorial Stadium since 1975.

Orioles update

The Orioles are coming off a 3-3 road trip that included 2 victories in 3 games against the Rangers at Arlington Stadium. One of those wins was an 11-4 triumph in which the Orioles knocked out tonight's starter, Rogers, in the second inning. Right-hander Ben McDonald will rejoin the club today and throw on the side before a determination is made on when he will return to the starting rotation.