Yoán Moncada delivered a key pinch-hit single in a four-run sixth inning as the Los Angeles Angels overcame a deficit to defeat the Texas Rangers 8-5 on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. Despite being outhit 14-6, the Angels made the most of their opportunities to even the series heading into the finale.
Los Angeles entered the game as slight underdogs with moneyline odds near +110, while Texas was favored at approximately -130. The projected run total was set at 8.5, a number that was surpassed by the end of the sixth inning.
Trailing 4-3 after the Rangers scored twice at the top of the sixth, the Angels responded with a decisive rally in the bottom half. Texas reliever Jon Gray issued two walks to start the inning, which set the stage for Los Angeles to regain control. Gustavo Campero tied the game with a double to shallow left-center that dropped in front of a sliding Sam Haggerty. Moncada followed with a two-out, two-run single to right, giving the Angels a 6-4 lead. Zach Neto added an RBI double to extend the margin to three runs.
Campero finished with two runs batted in, while Kyle Higashioka led the Angels offensively with three hits, including solo home runs in the fourth and eighth innings. It was his sixth career multi-homer game, and he scored three times.
The Rangers opened the scoring early but were hurt by missed opportunities and defensive miscues. Adolis García dropped a routine fly ball in the fourth, leading to an unearned run. He later made a highlight-reel leaping catch to rob Nolan Schanuel of a potential two-run home run in the fifth, keeping the game close at the time.
Texas starter Patrick Corbin overcame a 30-pitch first inning to complete five innings. He allowed three runs, two of which were earned, on three hits while striking out four. The loss was charged to Gray, who fell to 1-1 after allowing three runs without recording an out in the sixth.
Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi allowed four runs, three earned, on 10 hits over 5 1/3 innings. He did not factor into the decision. Reid Detmers earned the win, improving to 4-2 after pitching a scoreless seventh. Kenley Jansen closed the game in the ninth with a clean inning, earning his 20th save of the season. Jansen has now made 17 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run, the longest active streak in the American League, and tied the longest streak of his career.
Tensions briefly escalated in the eighth inning when Rangers reliever Shawn Armstrong hit Neto and Mike Trout with pitches. Both benches and bullpens emptied, and an animated exchange occurred between Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery and Rangers manager Bruce Bochy. No physical altercations occurred, and play resumed without ejections.
The series concludes Wednesday night. The Angels will send right-hander Jose Soriano (7-7, 3.79 ERA) to the mound, while the Rangers are scheduled to start right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (8-3, 3.50 ERA).
