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Angels rally, end Rangers' 12-game winning streak

Jul 21, 2011 - 6:06 AM Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - The Rally Monkey was out in full force Wednesday night, and the Rangers couldn't stop the Angels' momentum in the sixth inning.

Howie Kendrick hit the go-ahead two-run single to cap a six-run frame, boosting Los Angeles to a 9-8 win and ending Texas' 12-game winning streak.

It was the second-longest winning streak in Rangers history (14 games in 1991) and the best for any major league club since Boston captured 12 straight in 2006.

Kendrick totaled three hits, including two in the sixth inning, and drove in four runs. Torii Hunter homered to finally snap a huge drought at the plate, as the Angels took the middle portion of this series and climbed within four games of the AL West-leading Rangers.

"That was great baseball," Hunter said. "The Texas Rangers are a hot team and we were able to stop their winning streak. We played small ball. We got some timely hits. We played our game."

Derek Holland, who had thrown shutouts in each of his last two starts, gave up three runs through the first three frames, but was in prime position to get a win as Texas held an 8-3 lead going to the sixth. Holland gave up hits to four of the five batters he faced in the decisive inning and Tommy Hunter (1-1) couldn't stop the bleeding as he was charged with three hits and two runs.

"We had a lot of good at-bats in the sixth inning," Kendrick said. "We had a lot of guys playing hard to get back on track. It was fun to see what we did tonight. Hopefully we can carry this win over."

Despite the sixth-inning collapse, the Rangers had a chance to tie the game in the ninth. Michael Young doubled on a ball that deflected off third base. Pinch-runner Craig Gentry scooted to third on Jordan Walden's wild pitch, but the Angels closer fanned Nelson Cruz to lock up his 22nd save of the year.

"Give those guys credit, they came out in the sixth inning and they showed what they are made of," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "We had opportunities. They won the game, give it to them. They won it."

Hunter, who entered Wednesday hitless in his first 18 at-bats to start the second half of the season, went deep to lead off the third inning.

Both starters were charged with nine hits and seven runs, but the Angels got Dan Haren off the hook with their big sixth inning.

After Texas scored five times in the fifth, the Angels sent 11 men to the plate in the sixth. Kendrick led off with a double and scored on Mark Trumbo's single to center. Mike Trout's RBI infield hit and Erick Aybar's run-scoring double to the gap in left-center made it 8-6.

Hunter then spelled Holland and got Hunter on a groundout, but Bobby Abreu made it a one-run margin with a two-out ground single to right field. Abreu stole second and the problems continued for the Rangers, as Vernon Wells walked and Alberto Callaspo reached safely on another infield hit -- this one deep in the hole to shortstop Elvis Andrus. The throw to first arrived at the same time as the runner. Kendrick then hit the first pitch he saw to left- center.

Hisanori Takahashi (3-2) gave way to Scott Downs, who retired the side in order in the seventh and eighth innings.

The Rangers came into Wednesday pitching four shutouts in the past six games, but there were plenty of early offensive fireworks. Adrian Beltre hit an RBI double in the top of the first before Kendrick hit a two-run single in the bottom half.

Hunter led off the third with his 12th homer of the year, but David Murphy countered with a two-run shot in the fourth.

Then came Texas' big push in the fifth, highlighted by two-run doubles from Young and Yorvit Torrealba.

Game Notes

The Angels snapped a three-game skid in which they were outscored 20-4, including a 7-0 loss Tuesday...Jered Weaver, who has made 11 consecutive quality starts, the longest active streak in the majors, will start Thursday for the Angels...C.J. Wilson, who has won six straight decisions over his last 10 starts, gets the ball for Texas.