Wyatt Langford hit a game-tying RBI double and scored the winning run on an error as the Texas Rangers rallied past the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 in 10 innings Friday night.
Neither team scored through nine innings before Denzer Guzman gave Los Angeles the lead with an RBI double in the top of the 10th. Texas responded with two runs in the bottom half, with Guzman’s throwing error allowing Langford to score the winner.
The game marked the eighth time in Major League Baseball this season that a contest entered extra innings scoreless. Strong outings from Reid Detmers and MacKenzie Gore kept the offenses quiet through the first six innings.
Guzman Gives Angels Lead in 10th
After nine scoreless innings, the Angels finally broke through against Texas reliever Tyler Alexander.
Guzman drove a double into the left-center gap to bring home the automatic runner and put Los Angeles ahead 1-0.
Alexander avoided further damage, striking out two during the inning and keeping the Rangers within one run.
Texas then answered against Ben Joyce in the bottom half.
Langford delivered the first big hit, driving an RBI double that tied the game at 1-1.
The Rangers kept the inning alive, and an intentional walk eventually set up a two-out opportunity for Ezequiel Duran.
Duran hit a ground ball toward third. Guzman made a difficult backhanded stop and attempted to get the inning-ending forceout at second base.
His throw went wide, allowing Langford to race home with the winning run.
Both runs charged against Joyce were unearned. He took the loss and fell to 0-1, while Alexander improved to 4-2.
Detmers Continues Strong Second Half
Detmers gave the Angels six scoreless innings and continued his impressive run since the All-Star break.
The left-hander struck out five and worked around several Texas opportunities. He has recorded a 1.56 ERA across seven starts since the break.
His biggest test came in the fifth.
The Rangers loaded the bases, putting Detmers in danger of surrendering the first run. He escaped by striking out Corey Seager, who took a 93-mph fastball for strike three.
Detmers kept the game scoreless through his six innings before turning it over to the Los Angeles bullpen.
His performance continued a strong stretch for an Angels pitching staff that has improved significantly in recent games.
Gore Matches Detmers
Gore was equally effective for Texas.
The Rangers left-hander allowed only two singles over six scoreless innings and struck out seven.
Los Angeles had one of its best early scoring opportunities in the second inning.
Jose Siri reached third base before Josh Lowe hit a hard ground ball that appeared capable of bringing him home.
Texas second baseman Cody Freeman made a diving stop, recovered and threw Lowe out at first. Siri had to remain at third.
Travis d’Arnaud then flied out to end the inning, allowing Gore to escape without surrendering a run.
The Angels failed to create enough offense against Gore after that opportunity, and both starters left with the game still scoreless.
Watson Escapes Ninth-Inning Trouble
Texas had a chance to win the game before extra innings.
Duran opened the bottom of the ninth with a double against Ryan Watson. A wild pitch then moved him to third with nobody out.
Watson responded with an impressive escape.
The rookie reliever struck out the next three Rangers hitters, stranding Duran at third and sending the game to the 10th.
That effort gave the Angels an opportunity to take the lead, which Guzman did with his RBI double.
Los Angeles could not protect the advantage in the bottom half.
Angels Pitching Remains Effective
Despite the loss, the Angels received another strong performance from their pitching staff.
Los Angeles has posted a 1.81 ERA over 10 games since pitching coach Mike Maddux and two assistants were dismissed on August 11.
The Angels have allowed two runs or fewer in eight of those 10 games.
Friday continued that trend.
Detmers provided six shutout innings, and the bullpen kept Texas scoreless through the ninth. Watson’s escape after allowing a leadoff double was particularly important.
The only two Rangers runs came in the 10th, and both were unearned.
Los Angeles simply could not produce enough offense to turn the pitching performance into a win.
Rangers Capitalize on Late Opportunity
Texas also relied heavily on pitching and defense.
Gore set the tone with six shutout innings, while Freeman’s diving stop in the second prevented the Angels from scoring early.
The Rangers’ bullpen then kept Los Angeles off the board until Guzman’s extra-inning double.
Even after falling behind, Texas responded immediately.
Langford tied the game with his double and then used his speed to score when Guzman’s throw sailed wide of second base.
Alexander earned the win despite allowing the Angels’ only run, while Joyce was charged with the loss.
The Rangers needed only two runs to secure the series-opening win after both pitching staffs controlled the first nine innings.
Up Next
The series continues Saturday night in Arlington.
The Angels are scheduled to start right-hander Ryan Johnson, who enters with a 2-7 record and a 6.41 ERA. The Dallas-born pitcher was drafted out of Dallas Baptist two years ago.
Texas will counter with left-hander Cody Bradford, who is 0-1 with a 2.93 ERA.
