Los Angeles @ Texas preview

LA Angels at Texas

Last Meeting ( Jul 30, 2013 ) LA Angels 11, Texas 14

The Texas Rangers answered a four-game losing streak with a pair of spirited walk-off victories against the visiting Los Angeles Angels. The Rangers vie for the sweep of the Angels on Wednesday when the American League West rivals wrap up their three-game set. After Geovany Soto's homer in the ninth gave Texas a 4-3 triumph in Monday's series opener, Leonys Martin played the hero one night later with a three-run shot in the 10th inning as the Rangers claimed a wild 14-11 victory.

While Texas moved within five games of division-leading Oakland, Los Angeles has dropped five in a row to careen out of contention. Former Ranger Josh Hamilton highlighted his four-RBI performance with a three-run double in the seventh inning. The 2010 AL MVP is 4-for-9 with six RBIs in the series, but he'll be getting his first look at starter Martin Perez on Wednesday.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), FSN Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jerome Williams (5-7, 4.85 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Martin Perez (3-3, 4.37)

Williams has been in a tailspin since posting his last victory June 12. The 31-year-old lost his third straight start and fell to 0-5 in his last eight outings after yielding four runs in five innings against the Athletics on Friday. Williams, who was in a relief role, struck out two in three scoreless innings against Texas on April 24.

Perez has struggled since posting his last victory July 14. The 22-year-old Venezuelan has yielded 16 runs and 21 hits in 15 innings to suffer a pair of losses and one no-decision in his last three starts. Perez permitted four homers of his six homers in that stretch.

WALK-OFFS

1. Los Angeles CF Mike Trout, who went 4-for-4 with a pair of walks Tuesday, has reached base in 10 consecutive plate appearances.

2. Soto had four homers in 33 games before hitting one in each of the last two games.

3. The Rangers have won six of the eight meetings this season.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Angels 4