Field Level Media
Sep 26, 2018
The Los Angeles Angels scored four runs in the sixth inning and turned it into a 4-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night in Anaheim, Calif.
The Angels got three hits in the key inning, including a broken-bat RBI single by Shohei Ohtani that drove in the first run. Los Angeles also benefited from a throwing error by Rangers third baseman Jurickson Profar.
The Angels (77-81) also got two walks in the inning, one of them intentional to Mike Trout, and a sacrifice fly by Kaleb Cowart.
In all, the Angels had just five hits in the game, but that was enough. Los Angeles starter Matt Shoemaker gave up one run on four hits in five innings. He struck out seven and did not walk a batter but received a no-decision.
Noe Ramirez (7-5), the first of four Angels relievers, pitched one scoreless inning to get the win. Hansel Robles pitched the ninth for his first save.
Rangers left fielder Joey Gallo snapped a scoreless tie with a solo homer leading off the third inning against Shoemaker. It was Gallo's 40th homer of the season, coming off last year's 41-homer output.
In doing so, Gallo became the fourth Rangers player to have consecutive 40-homer seasons, going Alex Rodriguez (2001-03), Rafael Palmeiro (2001-02) and Juan Gonzalez (1992-93).
Gallo also struck out in the fifth inning, No. 200 for the season, a Rangers record.
The Angels wasted an opportunity to get even or go ahead against Rangers starter Yovani Gallardo (8-7) in the fourth inning. Jose Fernandez led off with a single and went to second on a single by Trout. When center fielder Delino Deshields booted Trout's ball for an error, Fernandez moved to third and Trout to second with no outs.
Ohtani followed with a grounder to shortstop Elvis Andrus, who threw out Fernandez trying to score from third. Justin Upton struck out for the second out of the inning, and Andrelton Simmons lined out to DeShields to end the threat.
Gallardo gave up two runs on three hits and three hits in 5 1/3 innings for Texas (66-91). He struck out two.
Before the game, the Angels announced that Ohtani will have Tommy John surgery next week once the regular season is over. Ohtani will not pitch in 2019, but he is expected to be able to play as a designated hitter.
--Field Level Media