Texas Rangers pitcher Cal Quantrill throws a fastball during a game against the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 23 at Globe Life Field. Quantrill pitched six innings and recorded six strikeouts while giving up zero runs.
Photo by Treyson Abe
The Texas Rangers (65-66) won the rubber match against the Los Angeles Angels (52-79) 5-3 Sunday at Globe Life Field to finish off a three-game series after back-to-back defensive duels.
The Rangers entered Sunday a game back from the Houston Astros for the lead in the American League West, but after the win in Arlington and a Houston loss, the interstate rivals are tied perfectly on record.
“It’s such a hard thing to predict because of where everybody is at right now,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said about securing a playoff spot. “It’s going to come down to the last week or 10 days. That’s for sure.”
Texas Rangers infielder Cody Freeman runs to home plate during a game against the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 23 at Globe Life Field. The Rangers won 5-3.
Photo by Treyson Abe
The Rangers won Friday’s matchup in 10 innings off a walk-off throwing error and a stellar six-inning, two-hit, scoreless outing by starter MacKenzie Gore, while the Angels countered on Saturday with a victory via a seven-inning, one-hit, scoreless performance by starter Ryan Johnson.
“I wish I could tell you the messaging was different or the work was different,” Schumaker said. “The guys just swung at strikes and didn’t chase a ton today.”
Ezequiel Duran, Rangers center fielder and third baseman, opened Sunday’s scoring in the second inning, driving the series’ first home run over the left field wall. The shot was his 14th of the season, tying a career high.
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager swings at the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 23 at Globe Life Field. Seager had three at bats.
Photo by Treyson Abe
A couple of batters later, Rangers infielder Cody Freeman hit his first career triple, scoring designated hitter Logan O’Hoppe. O’Hoppe was making his team debut after being traded to Texas by the Angels last month. Freeman tagged up on a sacrifice fly to center field, making the game 3-0.
Texas catcher Elias Díaz opened the bottom of the fifth similar to Duran in the bottom of the second, sending a solo home run over the left field wall. Later in the inning, shortstop Corey Seager scored on a sacrifice fly to center field, putting the score at 5-0 after five innings.
Rangers starter Cal Quantrill (6-4) was rewarded with the win after six innings of work, in which he tossed 96 pitches, struck out six and allowed no runs on zero walks and six hits.
“We’ve found some rhythm. I know what I need to do between starts to be prepared,” Quantrill said. “We’ve become a little more creative with how we’re getting outs as we’ve gone. It hasn’t been so reliant on one pitch or one location.”
The Texas Rangers celebrate after securing a win over the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 23 at Globe Life Field. The Rangers have won 36 games at home and secured their 65th win of the season.
Photo by Treyson Abe
The Angels finally found their offensive voice in the eighth inning, with a solo home run from shortstop Zach Neto. Two more Angel runs then came across the plate on a sacrifice fly and a no-man’s-land pop single in right field.
In the ninth inning, the Angels had the tying run on first base with two outs, but Rangers closer Jacob Latz was able to coax a checked strike three to send the Arlington crowd home happy.
The Rangers enter a week-long road trip, where they’ll play three games each against the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers, both of whom lead their respective divisions. The first game of the road trip is set for 6:40 p.m. Monday at Rate Field in Chicago.
@TyRoland06