Angels top Texas for sixth straight win
June 30, 2009
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)—Sean O’Sullivan(notes) threw the pitch Marlon Byrd(notes) wasexpecting. And the Los Angeles Angels rookie starter still prevailed.
Byrd, who had already doubled and homered to help Texas to a one-run lead,was too far ahead of a changeup and grounded into a double play to end theRangers’ fifth inning.
“That was a big momentum shift,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.
The first five Los Angeles hitters then reached to start the sixth,including back-to-back homers by Juan Rivera(notes) and Kendry Morales(notes), and the ALWest-leading Angles won their sixth straight game, 5-2 over the strugglingRangers on Monday night.
O’Sullivan (2-0) allowed consecutive homers to David Murphy(notes) and Byrd in thethird. The Rangers were still up 2-1 when Byrd came up again with two runnerson.
Byrd hit a grounder to third baseman Chone Figgins(notes), who started theinning-ending double play.
“I believe it changed the game. … I’ve got to get those runs in, at leastone,” Byrd said. “They came back out and do what they do. They just capitalizeon mistakes and they don’t make many mistakes.”
Series at a Glance LA Angels 5 Texas 2 Mon, Jun 29 – Final LA Angels at Texas Tue, Jun 30 – 8:05 pm ET LA Angels at Texas Wed, Jul 1 – 8:05 pm ET
After Vladimir Guerrero’s(notes) leadoff single in the sixth, Rivera and Moraleshomered to put Los Angeles up 4-2 against Vicente Padilla(notes) (6-4). Figgins drovein another run with a sacrifice fly.
The Rangers have lost eight of 11, a slide that cost them the division leadthey had held since May 5—by 5 1/2 games four weeks ago. Los Angeles, which haswon 13 of 16 overall, took over first place Saturday and now leads by 2 1/2 games.
Brian Fuentes(notes) worked the ninth for his major league-best 22nd save in 25chances.
After being swept in a three-game series at Texas in mid-May, the Angelswere 4 1/2 games back. But that was when they were still without Guerrero, and theRangers were still hitting.
“Over the last month, we’ve been playing better defense, our pitchers havebeen getting the job done and timely hitting,” Torii Hunter(notes) said. “We’re onall cylinders right now.”
Texas is 10-15 in June and has scored two runs or less in 10 of those games.The Rangers had one hit in a 2-0 loss to San Diego on Sunday night, the secondtime they have been one-hit this season.
Los Angeles Angels' Vladim… AP – Jun 29, 10:02 pm EDT
The Rangers doubled that total in the first against the Angels with hitsfrom Michael Young(notes) and Byrd, but didn’t capitalize. Nelson Cruz(notes) wasintentionally walked to load the bases with two outs and Julio Borbon struck outin his first major league at-bat hours after being called up.
Murphy and Byrd hit 400-foot homers with two outs in the third. After Murphyhomered to straightaway center, Byrd hobbled out of the batter’s box when hefouled a pitch off his left knee. Byrd got a visit from manager Ron Washingtonand a team trainer before stepping back in and hitting the next pitch into theleft-center seats.
“I didn’t feel like I was doing my job to keep our team in it,” O’Sullivansaid. “I was a little frustrated with that, and really had to bear down.”
O’Sullivan, in his third major league start since coming up when ErvinSantana(notes) went on the disabled list for the second time this season, struck outfive and walked two. The right-hander has allowed six runs over 18 innings (3.00ERA) and could remain in the rotation even when Santana, an All-Star lastseason, returns to the rotation.
“He’s a young kid who pitched like a vet,” Scioscia said.
Texas Rangers' Julio Borbo… AP – Jun 29, 10:00 pm EDT
Santana, out since June 12 with an inflamed right triceps, had no problemsduring a 45-pitch rehab assignment Sunday night in the Arizona Summer League.Scioscia said the right-hander will throw a bullpen session Wednesday and couldreturn as early as Friday.
Padilla gave up five runs and 10 hits in five-plus innings, with fivestrikeouts and two walks. The right-hander had allowed only six runs over 19innings in his previous three home starts.
NOTES: Rangers CF Josh Hamilton(notes), recovering from abdominal surgery, was 1for 4 in a rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco. He had an RBI single, a stolenbase and a run scored. … Guerrero, who missed 35 games with a torn pectoralmuscle, is closer to returning to the outfield. He is making longer throws fromthe outfield during pregame drills, and made some before Monday’s game. He hasbeen limited to DH duties since being activated May 25. … The Rangers agreedto contract terms with 3B Tommy Mendonca from Fresno State, their second-rounddraft pick earlier this month. … Morales has extra-base hits in 11 of his last13 starts.
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