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Angels looking to avoid sweep against Rangers

Sep 26, 2007 - 12:48 PM LA Angels (92-66) at Texas (74-84), 2:05 pm EDT

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will be looking to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the Texas Rangers when the teams meet Wednesday afternoon.

Texas has won the first two games of the series starting rookie pitchers Armando Galarraga and A.J. Murray, respectively. Both pitchers were making their first career starts and the Rangers will send out another rookie on Wednesday.

Luis Mendoza (1-0, 1.93 ERA) will be making the second start of his career when he takes the hill. The 23-year-old righthander got his first major league win on Friday against Baltimore, allowing one run and four hits over five innings with two strikeouts.

The Angels counter with Joe Saunders (8-4, 4.05). The lefthander has lost three of his last four decisions and was defeated in his last outing on Friday at Seattle.

In his only start against the Rangers this season, Saunders gave up four runs - two earned - on 10 hits in five innings. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision.

The Angels, who have lost four of five, are also in pursuit of the best record in the American League. Anaheim is currently 1 1/2 games behind the Boston Red Sox (93-64) and two games behind the Cleveland Indians (93-63).

The Rangers have won four straight against the Angels.