The Texas Rangers scored four runs in the eighth inning to complete a comeback from a five-run deficit and beat the Los Angeles Angels 8-6 Thursday night in Arlington, Texas.
The Angels scored five runs in the top of the first inning, but the Rangers inched their way back. Texas also helped keep Los Angeles at bay by completing a triple play in the fourth inning.
The Rangers entered the eighth inning trailing 6-4 but got an RBI double by Joey Gallo and a bases-loaded walk by Shin-Soo Choo to tie the game. With a chance to take the lead, the Rangers had the bases loaded with two outs for Rougned Odor.
Odor hit a ground ball to the right side of second base, which, because of the shift, was fielded by shortstop Andrelton Simmons. Simmons threw to first and Odor was called out, but a replay challenge reversed the call, allowing Gallo to score from third with the go-ahead run.
The Rangers added another run on a wild pitch by Osmer Morales, the Angels' eighth pitcher of the game in what was a "bullpen game" for the staff.
The Angels led 6-3 in the fourth inning when they had a chance to add to their lead. They loaded the bases with no outs against Rangers starter Ariel Jurado.
David Fletcher hit a one-hopper that appeared headed down the left field line, but third baseman Jurickson Profar backhanded the ball on a short hop and stepped on third for the first out.
Profar then tagged Taylor Ward, who began the play on third base but was unsure if Profar caught the ball or not and retreated back to third base. Profar then threw to Odor for a force at second base to complete the triple play, the sixth in franchise history and the first since May 20, 2009, against the Seattle Mariners.
It was the first triple play in 106 years in which the batter was not retired, according to STATS. The last was turned by the Brooklyn Dodgers against the Cincinnati Reds on June 3, 1912.
The Angels took a 5-0 lead in the first inning after the first five hitters of the game all singled and eventually scored. Leadoff hitter Kole Calhoun led Los Angeles' offense with three hits, including his 17th home run of the season in the second inning.
The Rangers had just seven hits, including two each from Profar and Gallo. Nomar Mazara hit his 16th homer, a two-run shot in the first inning, and Gallo belted his 32nd leading off the second inning.
Rangers reliever Matt Moore (2-6) got the win over Justin Anderson (3-3). Jose Leclerc pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save.
--Field Level Media
LA Angels | Texas | |
Taylor Cole | Player | Ariel Jurado |
No Decision | W/L | No Decision |
1.0 | IP | 6.0 |
1 | Strikeouts | 3 |
2 | Hits | 9 |
27.00 | ERA | 9.00 |
LA Angels | Texas | |
Kole Calhoun | Player | Jurickson Profar |
3 | Hits | 2 |
1 | RBI | 1 |
1 | HR | 1 |
6 | TB | 5 |
.750 | Avg | .667 |