The Los Angeles Angels played a great game for seven innings, but a late collapse by the bullpen essentially handed the game to the Texas Rangers. They won 7-4 as the Angels fell to 9-7 and lost their second series of the year.
After a perfect first inning from Jose Quintana, Mike Trout got things going offensively for the Angels with a 384-foot solo home run off of Mike Foltynewicz. That gave them a 1-0 lead over the Rangers after the first inning.
Quintana allowed his first hit of the game in the second to Adolis Garcia, who has had a solid series. However, he was caught stealing to allow Quintana to face the minimum number of batters.
The Angels starter saw his first sign of trouble in the top of the third, when back-to-back walks put men on first and second with only one out. The Rangers had a real opportunity to tie the game up, but failed to do so as Quintana forced an Isiah Kiner-Falefa lineout and a Nick Solak strikeout.
In the bottom half of the third, Shohei Ohtani got in on the home run game, hitting a 402-foot solo shot to give the Angels a 2-0 lead. Quintana finally broke his scoreless streak in the fourth inning, as a pair of walks, a single, and a sacrifice fly brought the Rangers to within one. Quintana was able to limit the damage their to keep the Angels lead at 2-1.
Justin Upton became the third Angel to hit a solo home run in this game in the fourth inning, making it 3-1 by hitting a ball just over the left field wall.
After a long stretch of scoreles innings, the top of the eighth was when the momentum of the game changed. Mike Mayers had by far his worst outing of the season thus far. He allowed two straight walks with one out, then gave up a three-run home run to Garcia. Then, Nate Lowe hit a solo shot immediately after. All of a sudden, the Angels trailed 5-3 in a game they had full control of.
Tony Watson came in to clean up the damage, but the Angels now had work to do in the eighth and ninth innings.
Upton was removed from the game in the top of the ninth and replaced by Jose Rojas after feeling some discomfort during his at bat. There was no immediate update on the reason or his status moving forward.
The Angels had another ugly inning in the top of the ninth, as Junior Guerra could not get control of his pitches. He allowed two walks and a double to load the bases with one out. Then, he walked Joey Gallo to bring home a run, as Garcia found his way to the plate once again.
A balk by Guerra made it 7-3 before the half-inning mercifully came to an end, and the Angels would have to score at least four to keep the game alive.
Jose Iglesias started the bottom of the ninth off with a solo home run, the fourth of the game for the Angels. That was all they were able to get, and the Angels lost 7-4.
Looking ahead
The Angels begin a four-game set on the road against the Houston Astros on Thursday. Alex Cobb is currently slated to be the starting pitcher, but the Angels have made last minute changes during this season. The games against the Astros are four of a 10-game road trip that will include the Rangers and the Seattle Mariners.
