Nelson Cruz drove in a pair of runs and the Texas Rangers rode a four-run inning to snap a three-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday.
The Rangers built a 4-0 lead off Angels starter Scott Kazmir in the third inning. Julio Borbon and Elvis Andrus led off the frame with singles before Michael Young had a sacrifice fly, Ian Kinsler had an RBI double and Cruz added a two-run double.
That would be just enough for Texas starter Derek Holland, who nearly surrendered the lead despite not allowing a hit until the fifth inning.
The Angels scored a pair of runs in the fifth with a two-run homer from Mike Napoli and pulled to within 4-3 on Torii Hunter’s solo shot to lead off the sixth.
Holland (2-0) earned the win, going 5 1/3 innings and allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts.
Two relievers got the ball to Neftali Feliz, who didn’t allow a base runner in recording his 10th save.
Kazmir (2-4) took the loss in a season-high seven innings, allowing nine hits and striking out four for the Angels, who snapped a three-game win streak.
LA Angels | Texas | |
Scott Kazmir | Player | Derek Holland |
Loss | W/L | Win |
7.0 | IP | 5.1 |
4 | Strikeouts | 3 |
9 | Hits | 5 |
5.14 | ERA | 5.06 |
LA Angels | Texas | |
Mike Napoli | Player | Elvis Andrus |
1 | Hits | 2 |
2 | RBI | 0 |
1 | HR | 0 |
4 | TB | 2 |
.333 | Avg | .667 |