OAKLAND -- Martin Perez will try to extend his four-game winning streak Tuesday night when the Texas Rangers face the Oakland A's and Eric Surkamp at O.co Coliseum.
The A's opened the four-game series Monday with a 14-5 victory, pounding out 17 hits. They moved into fourth place in the American League West but still trail first-place Texas by 11 1/2 games.
Perez (5-4) went 1-4 in his first nine starts this season with a 3.48 ERA, 31 strikeouts and 28 walks. But over his past four starts he's gone 4-0 with a 2.63 ERA, 12 strikeouts and eight walks.
In his previous start, Perez gave up two runs on four hits over six innings in a 5-3 victory against Houston. It was his fourth straight quality start.
"I'm just trying to keep the game close, do my job and trust my pitches," Perez said after beating Houston. "I tried to go out there with my best stuff and compete as hard as I could."
The left-handed Perez is 3-5 with a 5.81 ERA in nine career starts against Oakland. He took the loss on May 18 at the Coliseum in his only start vs. the A's this season, giving up four runs and hits over seven innings in an 8-1 defeat. Khris Davis went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, and third baseman Danny Valencia was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Davis had a three-run homer and drove in five runs on Monday against the Rangers.
Surkamp, also a lefty, will be recalled Tuesday from Triple-A Nashville and make his seventh start of the season in his fourth stint with the A's. He's still searching for his first victory as an Athletic.
Surkamp is 0-3 with a 6.41 ERA over 26 2/3 innings. He has 14 strikeouts and 15 walks.
The A's rotation has been ravaged by injuries. Left-hander Rich Hill (strained groin) was the latest starter to land on the disabled list.
Rookie left-hander Sean Manaea left his start Monday night against Texas after 4 1/3 innings because of a strain of his left pronator muscle in his throwing forearm. He'll have an MRI on Tuesday.
Struggling right-hander Jesse Hahn was sent down to Nashville on Friday.
Surkamp has had multiple chances to secure a spot in the rotation but so far has failed.
"He has to go out and be consistent and get some outs," Melvin told MLB.com. "He hasn't gotten deep into games for us. That's what he's looking to do come Tuesday. (Surkamp is) still trying to work his way into being a consistent part of the rotation, which he hasn't been yet."
Melvin said that any starter who performs well has a chance to earn a spot in the rotation.
"We've showed here that if you perform you stay," Melvin said. "If you don't, sometimes you get sent down."
Surkamp will face Texas for the first time in his career.
The Rangers had home runs Monday from Shin-Soo Choo, who was activated from the disabled list, Ryan Rua and Mitch Moreland.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.