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 The last time he faced the Los Angeles Angels, less than three weeks
ago, he gave up a season-worst 10 runs and 12 hits in just four
innings. But Friday night at Angel Stadium, Lewis flipped the
script.
The right-hander posted his 10th win of the season, holding the
Angels to two runs and five hits in 7 2/3 innings of the Rangers'
4-2 win.
With the win, the Rangers moved within 7 1/2 games of first place in
the American League West. The Angels and Houston Astros tied for the
top spot.
Lewis not only had trouble against the Angels the last time he faced
them, but he had lost six consecutive starts, going 0-6 with an
11.35 ERA. His 10 career losses against the Angels are the most vs.
any opponent.
But he was a different pitcher Friday, striking out nine and
allowing only a solo homer to center fielder Mike Trout in the
fourth inning. Lewis was charged with a run in the eighth after he
had left the game.
"I really don't worry about all that stuff, the last time I faced
guys," Lewis said. "I've got to do my job when the bell rings, and
everything worked out tonight."
The big inning for Lewis was the sixth, when Angels left fielder
Daniel Robertson and second baseman Johnny Giavotella had
back-to-back singles, setting the table for the middle of the
Angels' order.
But Lewis (10-4) struck out right fielder Kole Calhoun, Trout and
first baseman Albert Pujols in succession to end the threat.
"That was the inning that I think kept him going," Rangers manager
Jeff Banister said. "It's a situation where worked through the heart
of the lineup, made some real good pitches and kept these guys off
the scoreboard with the strikeouts."
In the eighth, Lewis was removed with two on and two outs. Banister
went to his bullpen, summoning right-hander Keone Kela, who allowed
an RBI single to Trout.
But Kela escaped when he struck out Pujols on a called third strike
with the potential tying runs on base. Shawn Tolleson pitched the
ninth for his 16th save.
For Lewis, it marked the fifth time he has won at least 10 games in
a season for the Rangers, joining four others -- Charlie Hough,
Kenny Rogers, Ferguson Jenkins and Bobby Witt.
"He pitched night and day from where we saw him in Texas (July 5) a
couple weeks ago. He pitched a good ballgame," Angels manager Mike
Scioscia said. "He was ahead in the count, had a good slider working
and we weren't able to pressure him. Mike got us on the board, but
for the most part, any opportunities we had, he made some pitches
for sure."
The Texas offense was led by left fielder Josh Hamilton and
shortstop Elvis Andrus, who each had two hits. It was the first game
back at Angel Stadium for Hamilton, who was traded to the Rangers on
April 27 after two disappointing seasons in Anaheim.
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Hamilton, booed throughout the game, doubled and scored in the fifth
and singled and scored in the seventh, both at-bats coming against
Angels starter Nick Tropeano.
"It was expected," Hamilton said of the boos. "I told (Angels
catcher Chris) Iannetta when I went to the plate, it's just like
when I played here. They booed when I was here, and they boo me when
I'm not here. It's all good."
Tropeano was making a spot start because the Angels needed a starter
for the game because of last Sunday's rainout. He pitched well early
but gave up four runs, seven hits and one walk in six-plus innings.
"I thought he pitched really well," Scioscia said of Tropeano, who
was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake after the game to make room on
the roster for newly acquired third baseman Conor Gillaspie. "A
couple breaking balls got away from him, he missed a couple spots,
but for the most part, he gave us a chance to win.
"I think he showed his stuff here, good life on his fastball, real
good changeup and threw some good breaking balls. Unfortunately,
those guys executed with guys in scoring position."
NOTES: The Angels acquired 3B Conor Gillaspie from the Chicago White
Sox for cash considerations. With 3B David Freese expected to miss
at least three weeks with a fractured right index finger, Gillaspie
figures to get most of the starts at third. Gillaspie, who had been
designated for assignment by the White Sox, hit .237 (41-for-173)
with 10 runs scored, 11 doubles, one triple, three home runs and 15
RBIs in 58 games this season. ... LHP Adam Wilk was designated for
assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Gillaspie, who is
expected to join the Angels on Saturday. ... Rangers LF Josh
Hamilton returned to Angel Stadium for the first time since he was
traded by the Angels on April 27. "Any time you spend time in a
place, having put some sweat and work in a place, it always means
something coming back," Hamilton said.
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