"No one in the jubilant Texas Rangers clubhouse knew what was discussed at the pitcher's mound before Hank Blalock stepped into the batter's box in the ninth inning.

No one really seems to care, either.

Blalock launched the first pitch from reliever Justin Speier over the center-field wall for a two-out, two-run walk-off homer that gave the Rangers a 9-7 victory at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Wednesday.

The blast, Blalock's second of the game, helped the Rangers overcome a blown save by Frank Francisco in the top of the ninth and secure a series victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

A second straight victory moved the Rangers only a half-game behind the Angels in the American League West and improved their mark against division foes to 15-4 this season.

"I've never really had success off Speier, so I was just trying to get a base hit to win the game," said Blalock, who entered the game in a 7-for-46 slump. "The Angels have been dominating for a couple years now, so if you want to be the best team, you've got to beat the best team."

One of the first questions posed to manager Ron Washington after the Rangers' fifth walk-off victory this season was if he thought the Angels would pitch to Blalock, a left-handed hitter who had homered in the fourth and doubled in the sixth.

Rookie Julio Borbon, another lefty, waited on deck, but the Angels opted to let the right-handed Speier pitch to Blalock. His 16th homer of the season, and the first walk-off blast of his career, traveled 415 feet.

"I don't manage for Mike [Scioscia], but I'm certainly glad Speier threw it where he threw it," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "Hank was outstanding tonight. Three times he came through when we needed him.""