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Dodgers try to stay on track vs. Rangers

Jun 15, 2015 - 2:33 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers will start a four-game series Monday with the first two matchups taking place in Arlington.

The two clubs will close the set with two games at Dodger Stadium.

Los Angeles has won six of its last eight games and took two of three meetings from the San Diego Padres this weekend at Petco Park, including Sunday's rubber match by a 4-2 score in 12 innings. Adrian Gonzalez had a two-run single in the top of the 12th and Kenley Jansen worked around a hit in the bottom half for his ninth save.

Gonzalez had three RBI and Andre Ethier homered, while Josh Ravin threw two scoreless innings of relief and starting pitcher Mike Bolsinger gave up two runs in 4 2/3 innings.

"This game is going to go to our bullpen," Gonzalez said.

Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson made a great catch in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings, robbing Justin Upton on what would have been a game- winning hit. Pederson crashed into the wall with two on and two out. Upton originally thought he had won the game until watching the rookie track the ball down.

Carlos Frias will start on the mound Monday for the Dodgers, who are 3 1/2 games ahead of the slumping San Francisco Giants for the NL West lead. Frias is 4-3 with a 3.86 earned run average in 10 games (8 starts) and has a 1-3 record in his last four decisions. Frias did not factor in the outcome of a 3-1 win over Arizona on Tuesday and allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings.

Frias will face the Rangers for the first time.

Texas was aiming for a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins and dropped a 4-3 decision on Sunday. Eddie Rosario put the Twins ahead for good with an RBI double in the top of the ninth inning and Glen Perkins shut the door in the home portion of the frame.

Joey Gallo and Leonys Martin both homered and Rangers starting pitcher Nick Martinez was reached for three runs in seven innings. Martinez delivered the 10th straight quality start for the Rangers and Shawn Tolleson allowed Rosario's clutch hit in the ninth to take the loss.

"He did compete well," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said of Martinez. "He continued to pitch. It could have been a growth moment for Nick today in understanding what he needs to do, needs to stick to doing. I felt like he pitched well, but not as sharp as we've seen him in the past."

The Rangers are 2 1/2 games behind the Houston Astros for the AL West lead and have a solid 17-7 mark since May 20.

Yovani Gallardo draws the start for Texas Monday and the right-hander is 5-6 with a 3.45 earned run average in 13 starts. The first-year Ranger is 3-1 in his last four decisions, but hasn't recorded one in each of his last two starts. In Wednesday's 5-4 loss at Oakland, Gallardo allowed two runs in seven innings with 10 strikeouts and one walk.

Gallardo hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in each of his previous four outings and is 2-4 with a 5.23 ERA in eight career starts against the Dodgers.

The Dodgers and Rangers last met in 2009 and L.A. took two of three matchups in Arlington. Los Angeles has won six of the last eight games in this series.