Texas @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2018 ) Texas 4, LA Angels 5

The Los Angeles Angels turned on the power to end their five-game losing streak and hope the surge continues when they resume their season-ending six-game homestand on Tuesday with the middle contest of their three-game set against the Texas Rangers. Los Angeles belted four solo homers in the series opener, including a lead-off, pinch-hit blast by Jose Briceno in the 11th inning that produced a 5-4 victory.

Shohei Ohtani, Jefry Marte and Michael Hermosillo also went deep, with the latter's shot being his first in the major leagues, as the Angels posted their first win since last Tuesday at Oakland. Texas is looking to break out of its funk as it continues its season-ending seven-game road trip. The Rangers staged a two-out rally in the ninth inning on Monday as Ronald Guzman doubled before pinch-runner Delino DeShields scored on pinch-hitter Elvis Andrus' single, but the team went on to suffer its sixth loss in eight contests. Guzman also belted a solo homer to complete his second consecutive two-hit performance after going 1-for-17 over his previous seven games.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Yovani Gallardo (8-6, 6.59 ERA) vs. Angels RH Matt Shoemaker (2-2, 5.48)

Gallardo has struggled down the stretch, surrendering 14 runs on 20 hits and nine walks over 12 1/3 innings in his last three starts - all losses. The 32-year-old from Mexico suffered his fifth defeat in six decisions last Tuesday, when he yielded three runs on eight hits and three walks in five frames against Tampa Bay. Gallardo fell to 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) versus the Angels after yielding six runs and six hits in three innings at Los Angeles on Sept. 12.

Shoemaker lost his second straight start on Thursday as he was tagged for five runs and five hits in just 2 2/3 innings at Oakland. It was just the fifth outing of the season for the 31-year-old native of Michigan, who allowed three runs or fewer in each of the first four but has yet to last six frames. Shoemaker is 4-2 with a 4.91 ERA in seven career starts against Texas, including a no-decision on Sept. 3 in which he gave up two hits over five scoreless innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels CF Mike Trout drew two walks on Monday to raise his season total to a franchise-record 117, breaking the mark he set in 2016.

2. Texas INF Jurickson Profar belted his 19th homer in his 140th game of the season on Monday after going deep only 12 times over his first 206 major-league contests.

3. Los Angeles SS Andrelton Simmons (knee) sat out the series opener but could return to the lineup on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Rangers 7, Angels 3