Los Angeles Angels vs Texas Rangers Match Player Stats On Jun 15, 2023

Shohei Ohtani starred on the mound and at the plate, Mickey Moniak delivered the tying hit and the go-ahead home run, and the Los Angeles Angels held on to beat the Texas Rangers 5-3 on Thursday in Arlington, Texas.

The Angels, who are in third place in the American League West, won three of four in the series over the first-place Rangers.

Ohtani (6-2), who hadn't won since May 15, got the decision over Rangers ace Nathan Eovaldi (9-3). Ohtani allowed two runs on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts over six innings.

Then, after his mound duties were over, Ohtani as the designated hitter belted his 22nd home run in the eighth inning, sending a first-pitch slider from Rangers reliever Brock Burke over the center field fence. The two-run shot provided some much-needed insurance for the Angels' bullpen.

The Rangers threatened in the ninth, loading the bases on three straight walks from Angels closer Carlos Estevez, who was removed in favor of Jacob Webb. Webb got the next two hitters, walked in one run, but preserved the victory by striking out Adolis Garcia. It was Webb's first save of the season.

The Angels jumped in front in the seventh, taking a 3-2 lead on a solo shot by Moniak, his sixth homer of the season.

The Rangers had a chance to tie it in the bottom of the seventh with a runner on third and one out against Angels reliever Chris Devenski. Facing a full count, though, Marcus Semien struck out swinging on a failed check-swing ruling from first base umpire Ramon De Jesus for the second out. After the Angels intentionally walked Corey Seager, Nathaniel Lowe bounced into an inning-ending groundout.

Between innings, the Rangers expressed their displeasure with De Jesus' call. Semien, pitching coach Mike Maddux and manager Bruce Bochy were all ejected.

Eovaldi gave up three runs on five hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out nine.

Despite the win, the Angels leave Texas with a couple of injury concerns.

First baseman Gio Urshela got hurt trying to beat out a double play in the first inning. He played the bottom half of the first in the field before being replaced by Jared Walsh. The Orange County Register reported that Urshela was on crutches with a hip issue and would be evaluated in Kansas City, where the Angels travel next.

Third baseman Anthony Rendon was hit on the left wrist by a first-inning pitch. Rendon played the full game, although he did not take a full swing his final two at-bats. He tried to bunt both times. The Register reported that he was undergoing X-rays after the game.

--Field Level Media