Texas @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2018 ) Texas 0, LA Angels 1

After flirting with history while evening the series, the Los Angeles Angels look to remain hot when they host the Texas Rangers on Wednesday for the rubber match of their three-game set. Six pitchers combined to work seven hitless innings Tuesday before the seventh, Blake Parker, yielded a one-out single in the eighth, but the Angels went on to post a 1-0 victory.

Parker allowed both of Texas' hits as eight Los Angeles hurlers teamed up to record the shutout in the team's fifth win in six games. The Angels also registered only two hits - including one by 30-year-old rookie Jose Fernandez, who belted his first career homer in the second inning to provide the team's fourth run in three contests. Isiah Kiner-Falefa broke up the no-hitter on Tuesday and Rougned Odor also recorded a single, giving him a hit in eight of his last nine games. The Rangers have lost six of their last eight contests, with half of the setbacks coming against Los Angeles.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), FS West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Yovani Gallardo (8-4, 6.22 ERA) vs. Angels RH Felix Pena (2-4, 4.04)

Gallardo, who won seven of his first eight decisions after joining the rotation, suffered his third loss in four decisions on Friday after surrendering five runs on six hits and five walks in 4 1/3 innings at Oakland. The 32-year-old from Mexico has worked more than five frames just once in his last five outings and more than six in one of his 14 turns this year. Gallardo has yet to defeat the Angels in his career, going 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA in four starts and one relief appearance.

In contrast to Gallardo, Pena has pitched at least six innings in each of his last five starts and seven in both of his last two outings, including a road victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday in which he allowed two runs and seven hits. The triumph was the first since June 29 at Baltimore for the 28-year-old Dominican, who did not issue a walk in either of his last two turns. Pena, who is 0-3 with a 6.17 ERA in nine games (seven starts) at home this season but owns a 2.21 road ERA, has yet to face Texas in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels recalled RHP Parker Bridwell, who made his lone appearance this season in a start against Oakland on April 6, from Triple-A Salt Lake.

2. Odor registered his 11th stolen base on Tuesday and is four away from matching the career high he set last season.

3. Los Angeles RHP Nick Tropeano has been shut down for the season due to inflammation in his right shoulder, which has not improved during his rehab.

PREDICTION: Angels 4, Rangers 3