ARLINGTON, Texas — Blaze Alexander homered for the second consecutive game and the fourth time in the past nine, but the Texas Rangers pushed across a pair of runs against right-hander Anthony DeSclafani and lead the Diamondbacks, 2-1, after five innings at Globe Life Field.

Alexander, who continues to make the most of his opportunity to play regularly following the trade of third baseman Eugenio Suarez, turned around a fastball from right-hander Jack Leiter to lead off the top of the third.

DeSclafani threw 52 pitches over three innings and departed. He had been expected to throw another 20 pitches or so. He was averaging 92 mph, down a couple of ticks from his season average.

Both teams have struggled to come up with key hits. The Rangers are 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position, the Diamondbacks 0 for 4.

New lineup aims to exploit Carroll’s slugging

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo is juggling his lineup in an attempt to capitalize on Corbin Carroll’s hot hitting, moving Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte into the top two spots with Carroll batting third.

“I wanted maybe to get Corbin’s slug involved with men on base,” Lovullo said. “That’s really what it came down to. Two elite hitters hitting ahead of him between Marte and Perdomo.”

The timing makes sense with the tear Carroll has been on in recent days. In his past nine games, he is 11 for 36 (.306) with two doubles and five homers.

Lovullo feels that Perdomo’s patient approach will work well ahead of Marte and Carroll, both of whom might turn in quicker at-bats if they are aggressive early in counts.

“There’s a really good chance Corbin will come up with one of those two guys on base,” Lovullo said. “With the slug, I felt like I wanted to take advantage of that.”

This is Carroll’s first time hitting in the No. 3 hole this season.

Pavin Smith, Gabriel Moreno injury updates

First baseman Pavin Smith and infielder Ildemaro Vargas are scheduled to begin rehab assignments with Triple-A Reno on Tuesday night, Aug. 12, with catcher Gabriel Moreno set to follow them there two days later, Lovullo said.

Lovullo said he misspoke over the weekend when he told reporters all three would be with Reno on the same day. He said Moreno played in a minor league game in Arizona on Aug. 12 and will take a day off before playing for Reno.

Right-hander Ryan Thompson threw a 21-pitch bullpen session, Lovullo said, adding that Thompson likely will throw another before the club determines a next step as he works his way back from a scapular (shoulder) issue.

Diamondbacks at Rangers, 5:05 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34

Diamondbacks RHP Anthony DeSclafani (1-2, 4.20) vs. Rangers RHP Jack Leiter (7-6, 4.05)

At Globe Life Field: DeSclafani continues to be built up into a full-fledged starting pitcher. He’s been on pitch limits since joining the rotation after the MLB trade deadline, so it stands to reason that his limit will increase at least a little this time out after he threw 4 1/3 solid innings in his last start Aug. 6. Starting seems to be DeSclafani’s preferred role, though he has two saves this season. He’s been a starter for almost all of his 10-year career and has one win over the Rangers in his only career appearance against them. … Leiter is in his first full season in the big leagues and has not lost a game since July 6. However, he’s pitched 4 1/3 and 3 1/3 innings in his most recent two starts, games in which he got a no-decision. Walks have been a problem, as Leiter has 52 on the season and seven over his past two starts.

Coming up

Aug. 13: At Texas, 11:35 a.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (9-12, 5.31) vs. Rangers RHP Merrill Kelly (9-7, 3.38).

Aug. 14: At Colorado, 5:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (4-7, 5.68) vs. Rockies RHP Bradley Blalock (1-3, 7.89).

Aug. 15: At Colorado, 5:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (12-7, 5.03) vs. Rockies RHP Tanner Gordon (2-5, 8.37).

(This story has been updated to add new information.)