The Los Angeles Angels ended the Texas Rangers’ six-game winning streak Monday night with a 6-4 victory at Angel Stadium, powered by home runs from Kevin Newman, Taylor Ward, and Luis Rengifo. The result marked back-to-back wins for the Angels for the first time in more than two weeks.
Texas entered the game as moderate favorites with moneyline odds near -140, while the Angels were priced as home underdogs around +120. The projected total runs line was set at 8.5, which was surpassed midway through the contest.
The Angels jumped ahead in the third inning on Newman’s two-run home run off Rangers starter Jacob deGrom. Los Angeles extended the lead in the fifth when Zach Neto doubled to bring in another run, making it 3-0. Texas responded in the top of the fifth with a solo home run by Josh Jung and added two more runs when a routine fly ball was mishandled in right field by Gustavo Campero, allowing Josh Smith and Corey Seager to score and tie the game at 3-3.
Angels starter Jack Kochanowicz, recalled earlier in the day from Triple-A Salt Lake, pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing two unearned runs on four hits. He did not figure in the decision. Reliever Connor Brogdon won after giving up one run across 1 2/3 innings, improving to 2-1 on the season. Kenley Jansen recorded the final three outs for his 19th save, completing a clean ninth inning. Jansen has not allowed an earned run in his last 16 appearances, the longest active streak in the American League and the third-longest of his career.
DeGrom, who entered the game 6-0 over his previous 10 starts, took the loss and dropped to 10-3 on the year. The two-time National League Cy Young Award winner allowed five earned runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings, striking out eight. He also gave up multiple home runs for the fifth consecutive start, marking a first in his 12-year major league career.
Ward gave the Angels the lead for good in the sixth inning with a leadoff home run off deGrom. That blast was followed later in the frame by a two-run shot from Rengifo off reliever Jacob Webb, pushing the Angels’ lead to 6-3.
Texas added a run in the seventh inning on an RBI single by Jonah Heim, but the Rangers could not generate further offense against the Angels’ bullpen. Despite tallying nine hits, Texas left several runners on base and could not capitalize in key moments.
The victory improved the Angels’ recent form following a 4-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. It marked the first time since mid-July that Los Angeles has posted consecutive victories.
The three-game series continues Tuesday night. Texas will send Patrick Corbin (6-7, 3.78 ERA) to the mound, while the Angels will counter with Yusei Kikuchi (4-7, 3.23 ERA).
