ANAHEIM, California (AP) — Martin Perez worked seven strong innings, Adolis Garcia, Ezequiel Duran and Jonah Heim had RBI doubles and the Texas Rangers broke open a close game in the ninth inning to win consecutive games for the second time this month, beating the Los Angeles Angels with 7-2 Friday evening.
Michael Owens / Getty Images
Luis Rengifo had an RBI-single for the Angels, who have a total of nine hits and two runs in the first two games of a four-game series.
Shohei Ohtani was 0 for 4, one night after pitching six innings and giving up two runs. The Angels lost for the eighth time in their last 11 games, as reports circulated that the club is at least listening to trade offers for their two-way superstar.
Still without Mike Trout, who hasn’t played since July 12 due to a back injury, the Angels didn’t hit Perez until Jo Adell doubled in the fifth inning.
“Honestly, I thought he would throw a perfect game, as he threw the ball early on,” said Rangers manager Chris Woodward of Perez. “Obviously he had a bit of a setback in the sixth and seventh (innings), but man, this guy has been special all year.”
The Rangers got on the board in the sixth with help from Adell. Marcus Semien doubled into the left corner of the field, with the ball bouncing off the wall and sliding down Adell’s legs. He then dropped the ball while trying to pick it up with his bare hand, allowing Semien to race all the way around the bases.
Two batters after Semien scored, Jonah Heim walked and came home on Adolis Garcia’s double to give Texas a 2-0 lead.
The Angels got one run back in their half of the sixth. Brandon Marsh walked with one out, finished in second place on David Fletcher’s single and scored on Rengifo’s two-out single to the left. But the Angels left a pair of runners in scoring position when Taylor Ward flew out to the left, ending the threat.
Perez (9-2) gave up one run on three hits over seven innings.
“You see him on the mound and it’s good stuff, really, and that’s why he’s an All-Star pitcher and he took good care of us tonight,” said Angels interim manager Phil Nevin. “We definitely had our chances. We had some guys every now and then, but it took a while to get to him and when we had it we didn’t get the big hit.”
It was the third consecutive start that gave Perez only one run and the second in a row that he gave up one run in seven innings. Perez avenged an April 17 loss against the Angels when he gave up four runs (three earned) in four innings.
An All-Star for the first time earlier this month, Perez would be a coveted award in the trading market, but he continues to make it known that his heart is in Texas.
“They know that, and it’s no secret,” said Perez, who is back in Texas after his first seven seasons with the club (2012-18). “You get that feeling when you come back home. I want to be part of this organization to end my career. Like I said, it’s something I have no control over. I just need to come back and be ready for my next outing. “
Angels-starter Patrick Sandoval (3-7) gave up two runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings with two walks and six strikeouts.
The Rangers put the game out of reach by scoring five runs in the ninth inning. Duran and Heim had RBI doubles and Leody Taveras had an RBI single, while Texas cashed two more Angels. Semien’s ground ball was misplayed by Rengifo, enabling Kole Calhoun to score, while Duran scored on one of Elvis Peguero’s two wild pitches.
“A 2-1 game going into the ninth inning and you know how games have been for us lately,” said Woodward. “… They make a mistake and we score five.”
TRAINERS ROOM
Rangers: SS Corey Seager was out of the lineup on Friday with a bruise on his left lower leg that forced him out of Thursday’s series opener. After Saturday’s game, Seager said he felt much better. Semien took over at short stop and Charlie Culberson started on second base.
NEXT ONE
Rangers: RHP Glenn Otto (4-7, 5.37 ERA) has lost five of six starts and will face a divisional opponent for the fourth time in a row on Saturday.
Angels: RHP Chase Silseth (1-3, 5.84) is expected to be recalled from Double-A Rocket City for his third stint with the club this season.
.
0 Comments