Texas scored five runs in the first three innings and added three more for insurance later on, but they had more than enough to eventual prevail over the Los Angeles Angels 8-3. The Rangers moved up to 4-5 on the season while the Angels took a step down to 6-4. The action started quickly as Carlos Gomez torched one out of the park on just the second pitch of the game. It was his third home run of the season. Angels pitcher Ricky Nolasco was able to bounce back with two consecutive strikeouts. His team was able to get two players on bases in the bottom of the first, but they weren't able to bring a run home.
More bad news for the Angels
In the second frame, Rougned Odor got a leadoff single for Texas. After two outs were recorded, Robinson Chirinos nearly sent one over the wall but instead had to settle for a ground-rule double. That was still able to bring Odor in for a score. Jurickson Profar was able to line one to center field to bring in Chirinos to make it 3-0 after two innings. The Angels couldn't do anything with a leadoff walk in the next half inning.
More offense for Texas: Shin-Soo Choo was able to get another leadoff hit, and Nomar Mazara picked one out of the park to make it 5-0 Rangers. That slam was Mazara's third home run of the season. Again, Los Angeles wasn't able to respond. The had two strikeouts to start of the bottom of the third; then Mike Trout was able to get on base with a single.
Albert Pujols couldn't back him up and had a pop out.
Rangers continue to pile on
Not much happened in the contest with the exception of many strikeouts until the sixth inning. Like Texas has done most of the contest, they delivered another leadoff hit from Elvis Andrus. Joey Gallo backed him up with a walk. Chirinos singled a ball to center field, and that was able to bring home the base runners to make it 7-0.
Choo delivered again with a single to bring in Chirinos, and the Angels now faced a brutal 8-0 deficit.
Something was wanting to brew up in the bottom of the frame for Los Angeles. Mike Trout and Andrelton Simmons delivered singles that were sandwiched around Albert Pujols striking out. After a coaching visit to the opposing pitcher, Cameron Maybin ended the threat by grounding into a double play.
After that, the Angels looked to kick the rest of the game on a cruise with consecutive outs.
The ninth inning was a little more active. After two players had got on base, Danny Espinosa hit a two-out slam to center field to cut the lead down to 8-3. It was a beautiful moment, but it was over very quickly afterward. Carlos Perez would ground out on his third pitch to end the contest.
