The Los Angeles Angels entered a four-game series against the Texas Rangers looking to build some momentum following their first series win since June 28-30.
Prior to the start of their previous series against the Kanas City Royals, the Angels were 3-14 in the month of July. But despite taking two out of the three games against the Royals, the Angels began to falter again and dropped the series to the Rangers by losing three of the four games.
With the MLB trade deadline approaching on Aug. 2 at 3 p.m. PT, the Angels should be active sellers with players such as Noah Syndergaard, Raisel Iglesias, Aaron Loup and Ryan Tepera. However, it remains to be seen how open they actually are to a Shohei Ohtani trade.
Game 1: Rangers def. Angels 2-0
Ohtani started the series opener for the Angels and did nearly everything he could to help the club win. The right-hander pitched six innings while giving up just two runs and striking out 11 hitters while walking none.
Jaime Barría followed with three shutout innings of his own to help keep the Angels in the game. However, the Rangers pitching staff was able to blank the Angels’ offense.
Spencer Howard pitched five shutout innings while giving up just three hits before Brock Burke pitched two innings, which was followed by Matt Bush and Matt Moore pitching the final two innings to complete the shutout.
The Rangers scored on a solo home run from Nathaniel Lowe in the fourth inning and added an insurance run on an RBI double from Corey Seager in the fifth.
Game 1: Angels def. Rangers 9-7
In their only win of the series, the Angels relied on a late-inning comeback with a five-spot in the eighth.
Leading 7-4 entering the inning, the Rangers were not able to hold the lead. The comeback was started with a David Fletcher double to drive in Max Stassi and Brandon Marsh. They then tied the game on a wild pitch that allowed Fletcher to score.
Rengifo then put the Angels up with a two-run double to drive in Ohtani and Taylor Ward. Ohtani also hit a three-run home run earlier in the game and Stassi drove in Ward with a single.
The game was started by Chase Silseth, who went just four innings and gave up five runs before Touki Toussaint entered and allowed two runs over four innings. Iglesias earned the save with a scoreless ninth.
Game 1: Rangers def. Angels 5-2
Reid Detmers turned in one of his best outings of the year by pitching seven innings and giving up just two runs (one earned) while striking out 12, however, it wasn’t enough to lead the Angels to victory.
Jose Quijada gave up three runs in the ninth to allow the Rangers to break a 2-2 tie and earn the victory. The game was broken open when Duran doubled to clear the bases, driving in Taveras, Heim and Garcia.
The Angels scored their runs on a single from Rengifo and a sacrifice fly from Andrew Velazquez. The Rangers’ two other runs came on a single from Lowe and a sac fly from Elier Hernandez.
