[0] HOLLINS LIFTS ANGELS IN 9TH : ANGELS 6, TEXAS 5.

Byline: Marc J. Spears Daily News Staff Writer

Maybe . . . just maybe, the name ``Angels'' really does have its advantages.

The Texas Rangers seemed destined for victory Monday night after hitting four homers, three in the eighth inning, to take a lead into the ninth inning.

But the Angels' lofty prayers were answered when Dave Hollins' clutch two-run, game-winning double with one out kept the team flying in a thrilling 6-5 comeback victory in front of 17,272 at Anaheim Stadium.

Texas' John Wetteland gave up two hits in the ninth before walking Darin Erstad to get to Hollins. The 1996 World Series MVP's decision wound up being a mistake and resulted in the Angels' 14th win on their final at-bat. With the game-winning hit, Hollins tied Jim Edmonds with a club-best 15 go-ahead hits this season.

Anaheim's stunner tied a season-best seven-game winning streak that was originally set May 12-18.

The victory kept the second-place Angels 2-1/2 games behind divisional front-runner Seattle while the Rangers dropped six games behind.

Before the Texas long-ball attack, a four-run, three-run second seemed to be enough for the Angels.

For the most part, Angels starter Allen Watson stymied the Rangers and was aided by plenty of great defensive plays. In seven innings, the left-hander allowed just four hits and two walks. But he also was pelted for a Juan Gonzalez solo homer in the fourth that cut the Angels' lead to 4-1.

After Watson left, so did the Angels' good pitching. In the eighth, reliever Rich DeLucia gave up a one-out solo homer to Billy Ripken and a two-out solo shot to sub Warren Newsom. After reliever Pep Harris replaced DeLucia and gave up a hit, the Angels brought in closer Troy Percival. The right-hander, who pitched in the last two games, gave up a two-run blast to Dean Palmer that put the Rangers on top, temporarily.

Notes: Watson reached a $12,000 out-of-court settlement with Willie Purse, the man he punched during an April 18 incident at a Liberty, Mo., riverboat casino. Watson settled despite a Clay County (Mo.) Prosecutor's statement that Purse, who was charged with misdemeanor peace disturbance, bothered the pitcher and teammate Chuck Finley with ``offensive and indecent language that is likely to produce an immediate and violent response from a reasonable recipient.''

``That's what happens,'' said Watson, 26, who was charged with a misdemeanor assault. ``I can't hit anybody even though he provoked me. I'm disappointed about how it ended, but I'm glad it is over.'' . . .Angels second baseman Luis Alicea, who has missed the previous four games with a stiff back, was eligible to play Monday but was not in the lineup . . .The Angels' Eddie Murray, who has been on the disabled list since June 12 with right wrist tendinitis, may be reactivated by Sunday or Monday. The 41-year-old designated hitter will likely have a rehab stint at Single-A Lake Elsinore . . .Angels reliever Mike James played catch, from 45 feet, for the first time since being put on the DL July 3 with an inflamed right elbow. The right-hander probably will be back next week . . .The Angels have signed five additional picks from the 1997 amateur draft. They included University of South Florida pitcher Dwayne Dobson, Cal State Fullerton pitcher Brian Tokarse, University of San Diego outfielder Jeb Dougherty, S. Shore High (N.Y.) center fielder Gilberto Pichardo and University of West Florida pitcher Ronald Ricks.