MINNEAPOLIS -- The Rangers’ midseason foray against two of the top teams in the American League is not off to a great start.

The Rangers fell behind the Twins early for the second straight game and had a late-inning comeback fall short in a 7-4 loss on Saturday afternoon at Target Field. The Rangers, who trailed 5-0 after four innings, have lost two straight to the AL Central leaders after dropping four of their previous six games against the Angels and Rays.

“I don't think it was in our plans losing, especially the way we were playing in June,” shortstop Elvis Andrus said. “But we can't start thinking [that] we're failing or we're going down. We're playing good teams. Right now, it's all around. It's our pitching. We're not hitting, especially early in the game. Like I said, turn the page from today, come back tomorrow and try to finish the second half win with a win.”

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The Rangers, 47-42 on the season, also start the second half by playing seven of nine against the Astros, who sit atop the AL West. They host Houston for four games starting on Thursday and, after two against the D-backs, play the Astros three more times on the road from July 19-21.

That would leave Texas 10 days away from the July 31 Trade Deadline. The Rangers’ stretch against the Twins and Astros could be a true indicator of how serious their postseason hopes are and what approach general manager Jon Daniels will take at the Trade Deadline.

“True,” manager Chris Woodward said. “I am definitely aware of that. We just have to play a little bit better. We are just off in certain areas. I know we are inching closer to the break. I’m not going to use excuses, but our guys have been grinding pretty hard physically, mentally. Hopefully we can come out tomorrow and finish on a really solid note.”

After losing 95 games last season, the Rangers have been surprise contenders to this point, but they will likely need reinforcements if they are going to stay in the postseason race down the stretch. Pitching is at the top of the list, both rotation and bullpen.

Starter Jesse Chavez allowed five runs (four earned) in five innings to take the loss on Saturday against the Twins. It was his third start since coming out of the bullpen to replace Drew Smyly in the rotation.

“Today … it’s one of these games you look back and [say], ‘How did this happen?’” Chavez said. “One extra-base hit, you give up five at the end of the day and you’re like, ‘Man.’”

If the Rangers could acquire another starter, it would allow Chavez to return to the bullpen. Chavez has been most effective as a reliever, combining with right-handers Shawn Kelley, Chris Martin and Jose Leclerc to give Texas a quartet of dependable veteran relievers. Kelley allowed two runs in the eighth on Saturday, but he was pitching for the first time in nine days because he hasn’t been needed in his typical closer role lately.

The other half of the bullpen has been a revolving door, as the Rangers have been swapping relievers in and out at a dizzying rate. Rookie right-hander Pedro Payano made his Major League debut on Saturday and pitched a scoreless seventh. He is the 20th reliever used by Texas this season, 10 of whom were in the big leagues for the first time.

The Rangers could also use offensive help, especially a right-handed hitter. They obviously miss Hunter Pence, their All-Star designated hitter who is sidelined with a strained right groin muscle. He is expected back shortly after the All-Star break.

Texas could also take the opposite approach at the break if this slide continues and drops them too far back in both the division and Wild Card races. The Rangers could do little at the Trade Deadline or become sellers if the focus shifts back to the long-term future. They aren’t eager for that to happen.

“Obviously, got to keep playing,” outfielder Joey Gallo said. “It happens, it’s baseball, you are not always going to play great. Best teams in baseball don’t always do that. It’s how it goes sometimes, the other team plays better than you.”