Rangers 10, Angels 5
ARLINGTON, Texas, Apr 14 – On Thursday night, the Texas Rangers got their first win at Globe Life Field in 2022 against the Los Angeles Angels, and did so in convincing fashion. It was the first in a four-game set against the Angels. They won the first game of the series by a final score of 10–5. It was a much-needed win for the Rangers, as they now improve to 2-4 on the season. There is still a lot of work to be done, but this was a large step forward. What makes it even better is that it came against one of their division opponents. Manager Chris Woodward had to be pleased with that.
Trout Being Trout
Any opportunity to watch Angels’ outfielder Mike Trout isn’t advised to be missed. On this night, Trout hit a solo home run to center field to put the Halos up 1–0. A lot of people were still finding their seats when he hit said home run. With the game still in the top of the first inning, Brandon Marsh made it 2–0 Angels with an RBI single that drove in Jared Walsh. It also moved Anthony Rendon to second base, where he would stay for the remainder of the inning.
Their next two runs came in the top of the eighth inning on another two-run shot. This time, it was catcher Max Stassi at the plate. This made the score 10-4. So, it appeared that the Angels still had a little fight left in them. The Angels scored their next run in the top of the ninth inning. Brandon Marsh drove in Rendon and Ohtani with an RBI single.
Grand Old Heim
It was a pretty special night for Rangers’ catcher Jonah Heim. In the bottom of the second inning, Heim blasted a grand slam to put the Rangers ahead 4-2. It was first for members of both the offense, and the defense. Offensively, it was the first grand slam of Heim’s career. On the defensive side, it was the first grand slam that Angels’ two-way star Shohei Ohtani had ever given up in his career. Heim drove in another run in the bottom of the fourth inning. This base hit went to left field, and it scored Willie Calhoun. Then Corey Seager got in on the fun later in the inning. With the score 5-2, Seager belted yet another two-run home run. It was hist first as a member of the Texas Rangers. Moments later, Nathaniel Lowe tacked on another run with a double to right field that scored Mitch Garver.
Rangers Scoring in Bunches
With an already sizeable lead, Seager scored the ninth run of the evening for the Rangers in the bottom of the fifth inning. A Seager single, say that five times fast, brought in Heim and moved Marcus Semien to third base. The Rangers’ final run came on an error by Angels’ shortstop Andrew Velazquez. This miscue brought home Semien and moved Seager to second base. The score was now 10–2 in favor of the Rangers. This series opener between the Rangers and Angels was very entertaining.
Rangers Pitching Notes
The aforementioned Shohei Ohtani pitched three and two third innings for the Angels. He gave up six runs, all of them earned, on six hits. Ohtani walked two and struck out five. He also gave up the grand slam to Heim in the first inning. On the Rangers’ side, starter Dane Dunning also went three and two third innings. He gave up two earned runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out seven. Dunning also gave up one home run. Reliever John King got the winning decision for the Rangers (1–0), and Shohei Ohtani took the loss for the Angels (0–2).
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
Players/Managers Mentioned:
Chris Woodward, Mike Trout, Brandon Marsh, Jared Walsh, Anthony Rendon, Max Stassi, Jonah Heim, Shohei Ohtani, Willie Calhoun, Corey Seager, Nathaniel Lowe, Mitch Garver, Marcus Semien, Andrew Velazquez, Dane Dunning, John King
