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 The Los Angeles Angels beat Texas 8-1 to claim their seventh
straight win and hand the Rangers their ninth loss in the last 10
games.
"When we start tomorrow's game it doesn't matter what we did in the
last week," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We've got to build
momentum and keep going."
The Rangers (54-91) fell 36 games behind the American League
West-leading Angels (90-55).
An early lead, stellar pitching from right-hander Matt Shoemaker
(15-4) and the bullpen combined for the Angels' 12th win over Texas
in 2014. Los Angeles leads the season series 12-3.
After Thursday's game, the two teams will face off in one more
series, Sept. 19-21 in Anaheim.
Shoemaker posted his 15th win of the season, a club rookie record,
after throwing 92 pitches in 6 2/3 innings. He allowed one earned
run and seven hits.
"Shoe is one of the big reasons we are even contending," Scioscia
said. "He started in our bullpen; and, as the season went on, to do
what he did is spectacular."
The game marked Tim Bogar's fifth as interim manager of the Rangers
and, despite the losses, many project he could be the manager next
season.
"The comfort level is really (good) because he has been here all
year and everyone is familiar with him," outfielder Michael Choice
said.
The Angels, who came into the game extremely hot on offense, quickly
got on the scoreboard. In the first inning, a triple by baseman
Albert Pujols scored center fielder Mike Trout, who had reached base
when he was hit by a pitch. Second baseman Howie Kendrick singled to
center, scoring Pujols for a 2-0 advantage.
In the fifth, Trout led off with a walk. Pujols singled, bringing
him within a home run of the cycle. Kendrick grounded into a double
play, but Trout scored to boost the Angels' lead to 3-0.
Rangers right-hander Nick Tepesch was removed after throwing 93
pitches and giving up 10 hits and three runs in 4 2/3 innings.
"He got the balls over the middle of the plate, but they didn't miss
any," Bogar said.
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With the bases loaded in the top of the sixth inning, Pujols stepped
into the box needing just a home run to complete the cycle for the
first time in his career. For the first time all night, Pujols was
put away, as he grounded into a double play to end the inning and
nullify the potential scoring chance. Pujols was 3-for-5 with a
double, triple and RBI.
"He had a great night," Scioscia said. "In the big picture, (the
cycle is) not something he needs on his shelf, but it would have
been nice to see."
The Rangers got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the seventh
inning when left fielder Ryan Rua's single scored third baseman
Adrian Beltre.
Los Angeles scored three runs in the eighth inning to open a 7-1
lead. Pinch hitter Efren Navarro tripled, scoring Pujols and
Kendrick. Third baseman Gordon Beckham crossed home on a wild pitch
from Scott Tolleson.
Right fielder Kole Calhoun homered to right field in the ninth
inning for the Angels.
NOTES: Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre was 3-for-3 with a walk Tuesday
night, the seventh time this season he reached four or more times in
a game. ... Texas' Tuesday lineup featured six rookies for, the
first time that occurred for the franchise since October 1982. ...
The Angels achieved their first 90-win season since 2009. With 17
games left, they have a chance to top the franchise record of 100
wins, set in 2008.
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