The Los Angeles Angels halted the Texas Rangers’ six-game winning streak on Monday night with a 6-4 victory, fueled by home runs from Kevin Newman, Taylor Ward, and Luis Rengifo.
The Angels took advantage of a rare off night from Jacob deGrom (10-3), who had been unbeaten in his previous 10 starts. The veteran right-hander allowed five runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings, striking out eight. Notably, deGrom has now surrendered at least one homer in five straight outings — the first time in his 12-year career.
Newman got the Angels on the board in the third inning with a two-run blast, and Zach Neto followed up with an RBI double in the fifth. In the sixth, Ward broke a 3-3 tie with a solo shot, and Rengifo followed later in the inning with a two-run homer off reliever Jacob Webb to extend the lead to 6-3.
Rangers starter deGrom was charged with the loss, while Angels right-hander Connor Brogdon (2-1) earned the win after allowing one run in 1 2/3 innings of relief. Jack Kochanowicz, recalled from Triple-A earlier in the day, started for Los Angeles and gave up two unearned runs over 4 2/3 innings.
Texas capitalized on a defensive miscue in the fifth when Adolis García reached on an error by Angels outfielder Gustavo Campero, who misplayed a routine fly ball. That mistake allowed Josh Smith and Corey Seager to score. Josh Jung added a solo homer, and Jonah Heim contributed an RBI single.
Kenley Jansen sealed the win with a flawless ninth inning for his 19th season save. The 37-year-old has now gone 16 consecutive appearances without giving up an earned run — the longest active streak in the American League and the third-longest of his career.
Key Moment:
Taylor Ward’s leadoff homer in the sixth gave the Angels a 4-3 lead, and Rengifo followed with a two-run shot later in the inning to provide crucial insurance.
Key Stat:
The Angels have won back-to-back games for the first time since July 11–12, when they defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks in consecutive contests.
Up Next:
Texas sends Patrick Corbin (6-7, 3.78 ERA) to the mound Tuesday night against Angels lefty Yusei Kikuchi (4-7, 3.23 ERA) in the second game of the three-game series.
