The Texas Rangers scored two runs but the Anaheim Angels scored three runs.
The Rangers had two paths they could take tonight. They could win tonight’s game and inch a smidge further from being a .500 ballclub or they could lose and be right back at .500. It’s pretty easy to guess which direction they took.
Despite leading 1-0 just three pitches into the game against a starter with a 7+ ERA on the year, the Rangers only scored one more run all game against a team so broken half their pitching staff have like single-digit big league careers and the entire pitching coaching staff was just fired.
The Rangers had plenty of chances to score, and indeed eight opportunities with RISP, but capitalized on just one of them when they had to send in Jarred Kelenic to pinch hit, a guy they didn’t think was as good as Jonah Bride like four days ago.
Despite leadoff man Joc Pederson reaching in each one of his PAs tonight, Wyatt Langford and Corey Seager went a combined 0-for-8 with several missed chances to plate runs. When the Angels got a runner on from the bottom of their lineup, the top of the order capitalized and that was ultimately the difference.
Scoring only two runs mattered because the Angels scored three of them. All three of them came in the bottom of the third when tonight’s starter Cody Bradford had one of those MacKenzie Gore-esque innings that got away from him with three of Anaheim’s five hits on the night coming in the frame.
Despite the three-run third, Bradford ultimately went seven innings on just 75 pitches. Allowing three runs to the Angels shouldn’t be demoralizing but for the Rangers, it apparently is.
The Rangers have now lost four of five games in Anaheim this season and five of eight games overall against the Angels. If they don’t make the playoffs, getting manhandled by a team the rest of the league wipes their shoes on is as good a reason as any for why.
Player of the Game: Pederson hit the lead off home run and then drew three walks. He only scored one run. You do the math.
Up Next: The Rangers and Angels will play again tomorrow night and hey, at an even later hour this time. RHP Cal Quantrill will make the start for Texas in Nathan Eovaldi’s stead while the Anaheims will turn to RHP George Klassen.
The Wednesday night first pitch from the Big A is scheduled for 9:10 pm CT and will be aired nationally on ESPN.
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