Texas @ Los Angeles preview
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Last Meeting ( Sep 6, 2013 ) Texas 5, LA Angels 6
The Texas Rangers watched sole possession of first place in the American League West disappear as their late-inning comeback in the series opener fell a run short. Texas attempts to regain it Saturday when it visits the Los Angeles Angels for the second contest of their three-game set. The Rangers began Friday one-half game ahead of Oakland in the division but find themselves trailing by the same margin after dropping a 6-5 decision.
The defeat was the fourth in five games for Texas, which is in danger of losing its third straight series. Mark Trumbo capped a five-run fourth inning with a three-run homer as the Angels overcame an early 3-0 deficit and snapped their seven-game losing streak against the Rangers. Los Angeles improved to 3-10 in the season series and 4-11 in its last 15 home contests.
TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), FSN West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Derek Holland (9-7, 3.07 ERA) vs. Angels RH Garrett Richards (5-6, 4.06)
Holland's winless streak reached five starts Monday, when he yielded four runs - three earned - on five hits and five walks over 4 2/3 innings of a loss at Oakland. The 26-year-old has recorded only one victory in his last nine outings despite allowing three or fewer runs seven times in that span. Holland is 7-5 with one shutout and a 5.61 ERA in 19 career games - 16 starts - against the Angels.
Richards escaped with a victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday as he allowed just one run and two hits but issued a career-high seven walks in five innings. The 25-year-old is 3-2 with a 3.88 ERA in 21 home contests - six starts - but has not lost at Angel Stadium since June 18, when he yielded one run in an inning of relief against the Seattle Mariners. Richards won his only career decision versus the Rangers but has posted a 5.40 ERA in eight games - four starts - against the division rivals.
WALK-OFFS
1. Los Angeles 1B Mark Trumbo hit his team-leading 30th home run Friday. He is two blasts shy of matching his career high set last season.
2. Rangers SS Elvis Andrus returned to the lineup and recorded a home run and two RBIs. Andrus missed Texas' previous four games with tightness in his lower back.
3. Trumbo became the sixth player in Angels history to post consecutive 30-homer seasons, joining Vladimir Guerrero, Troy Glaus, Mo Vaughn, Tim Salmon and Don Baylor.
PREDICTION: Rangers 8, Angels 3