Angels 9, Rangers 6
ARLINGTON, Texas, Apr 15 — On Jackie Robinson Day, Globe Life Field filled up quickly. The fact that it was the second game between two division rivals paled in comparison to the significance of this day. However, despite the glory that surrounds such an occasion, there was still a ball game to play. On a pleasant Friday evening, the Texas Rangers played the second game of their four-game set against the Los Angeles Angels. Some thought that the momentum from the Rangers’ victory over the Halos on Thursday would carry over into Friday, but that was simply not the case. The Rangers would go on to lose by a final score of 9–6. Here is a recap of Friday night’s game
Tough Luck
Watching the Rangers struggle is never easy for their fanbase, especially when it’s against a divisional opponent. The thing that really had to get under their skin was the fact that the Rangers did have a 6–2 lead at one point in the contest. The Rangers got things started in the bottom of the second inning. Charlie Culberson grounded into a force out. It wasn’t the most glamorous way to bring in their first run, but it did the job. Nathaniel Lowe was able to score on the play. This put the Rangers on the board. They now trailed the Angels 2–1. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Culberson was at it again. This time, he doubled to left field to bring in Andy Ibanez and Nick Solak. This put them ahead 3–2.
A Strange Call
Here’s where things really got interesting. With the game still in the bottom of the fourth, the Rangers had the bases loaded, and Corey Seager was at the plate. All of a sudden, Angels’ manager Joe Maddon decides to give Seager the intentional walk with the bases loaded. This extended the Rangers’ lead, and it brought Mitch Garver to the dish. In fact, in that moment, Maddon became the first manager to order an intentional walk with the bases loaded since Jim O’Rourke on August 2, 1881. He was managing the Buffalo Bisons at that time. In present day, however, it’s quite obvious that the Angels wanted nothing to do with Seager, as he homered against them the night before. Garver, meanwhile, hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Eli White to make it 5–2 Rangers. They would score their final run in the fourth inning as well. It happen on a balk by Angels’ reliever Austin Warren. Adolis Garcia was the batter, and it was Marcus Semien who scored the run from third.
The Angels’ Surge
For awhile, it seemed that the Rangers would cruise to their second consecutive win, but the Angels had other designs. Even though they trailed in the middle innings, the Angels got started early. Shohei Ohtani homered on the very first pitch of the game, making it 1–0 in favor of the Angels. It was Ohtani’s first home run of the year, and it was his fifth career leadoff home run. It was enough to send Rangers’ starter Matt Bush in for an early shower. Reliever Albert Abreu would take his place. The Angels lead would grow to 2–0 in the top of the second inning. This run came on a solo shot to left by Jo Adell. They wouldn’t score again until the bottom of the fifth inning. Their third run came on yet another home run. This one came from Kurt Suzuki. Rangers’ lefty Kolby Allard was on the mound at the time.
The parade continued as Ohtani homered again in the fifth. This one was with Andrew Velazquez on base. It made the score 6–5, still in favor of the Rangers. They tied it at six all moments later on a single by Jared Walsh that brought in Mike Trout. Next came a sac fly by Brandon Marsh that put the Angels on top by a score of 7–6. The fly ball would bring in Walsh from third base. In the top of the seventh inning, the Angels bats would come to life one final time. This time it was Jared Walsh that hit the two-run shot. This gave the Angels their final score of 9–6.
Pitching Notes
As mentioned before, Matt Bush pitched only one inning. He gave up the home run to Ohtani, and that was it. He struck out three to finish the first inning, and then his night was done. The Rangers used seven pitchers on the night. Among them were Abreu, Allard, Greg Holland, Nick Snyder, Josh Sborz, and Spencer Patton. Allard took the loss for the Rangers (0–1, 19.29 ERA). Austin Warren got the win for Los Angeles (1–0, 2.25 ERA). Right-hander Raisel Iglesias got the save, his second of the year. The Angels and Rangers play the third game in this four-game set on Saturday evening at 6:05 PM Central Time. Noah Syndergaard will start for the Angels while Taylor Hearn gets the ball for the Rangers.
Main Photo:
Players/Managers Mentioned:
Charlie Culberson, Nathaniel Lowe, Andy Ibanez, Nick Solak, Corey Seager, Joe Maddon, Mitch Garver, Jim O’Rourke, Eli White, Austin Warren, Adolis Garcia, Marcus Semien, Shohei Ohtani, Matt Bush, Albert Abreu, Jo Adell, Kurt Suzuki, Kolby Allard, Andrew Velazquez, Jared Walsh, Mike Trout, Matt Bush, Greg Holland, Nick Snyder, Josh Sborz, Spencer Patton, Austin Warren, Raisel Iglesias, Noah Syndergaard, Taylor Hearn, Brandon Marsh
