Final
Streaking Angels go for sweep of first-place Rangers
Jun 3, 2012 - 2:45 PM (Sports Network) - The LA Angels of Anaheim will try for a much-needed sweep as they host the American League West divisional rival Texas Rangers for the final segment of their three-game series at Angels Stadium of Anaheim.The Angels managed to escape Saturday's contest with a 3-2 victory due to six scoreless innings from C.J. Wilson and a crucial two-run seventh inning that features two controversial calls. Mike Trout was called safe at the plate much to the dismay of the Texas dugout. Trout provided the only extra base hit for the home team in the pitching duel, which saw LA down heralded Rangers starter Yu Darvish.
Darvish and the Texas bullpen did force the Angels to go 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position and leave 19 runners on base. Albert Pujols was very patient in the victory and improved his on-base percentage by reaching base on balls twice.
Mark Trumbo has not seen the success he would have liked in this series after hitting a home run in four straight games coming into the series. The left fielder is 0-for-8 in the first two games. Trout has picked the slack by going 4-for-8 with three RBI.
Dan Haren will be on the mound tonight as the Angels try to sweep the Rangers for the first time since 2008. The right-hander comes in with a 3.52 ERA after winning each of his last two starts. Haren threw a shutout against Seattle on May 24 before he followed it up with a one-run performance against the Yankees.
"This is how we expected to play," Haren said after outdueling New York's Andy Pettitte his last time out. "It's not like we're playing out of our minds. This is what we expected coming out of spring."
The Angels have won 10 of 11 coming into the series finale and will look to build on that as Haren faces Texas for the first time this season.
Matt Harrison will take the mound for Texas, which still holds a 3 1/2-game lead in the standings. Harrison is 6-3 with a 4.62 ERA this season and has picked up back-to-back wins in his last two starts. Harrison is 2-3 with a 4.62 ERA in five starts and the same number of relief appearances in his career versus the Angels.
Although the Rangers were upset with a few of the calls made on Saturday, the team is accepting the blame.
"We're a better baseball team than we've been showing," Texas Manager Ron Washington said. "It's up to them to show it."
Josh Hamilton, who is having one of the best seasons at the plate by any player in recent history, was unable to convert with the based loaded and two outs in the ninth inning. The Rangers were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position as a team.
"A very ugly performance and we lost by one run," Washington said.
Anaheim lost two of three meetings with Texas from May 11-13 and six of the past seven matchups between the teams heading into the series. The Rangers now have a two-game losing streak in the Angels' home stadium after enter the series with a three-game winning streak.
- TEXAS: 7
LOS ANGELES: 3
Final
Jun 3 6:47 PM - Elvis Andrus single to left scored Mike Napoli with two out. On the play, Ian Kinsler advances to third. Runners on first and third and Josh Hamilton due up.
Rangers 7, Angels 3 Top 9, 2 OutsJun 3 6:37 PM - Mike Napoli single to left scored pinch-runner Craig Gentry with one out. Runner on first and Mitch Moreland due up.
Rangers 6, Angels 3 Top 9, 1 OutJun 3 6:31 PM - Mike Trout single to center scored Peter Bourjos with two out. On the play, John Hester advances to second. Runners on first and second and Alberto Callaspo due up.
Rangers 5, Angels 3 Bot 7, 2 OutsJun 3 5:55 PM - Nelson Cruz none-out, two-run Home Run (8) to left scored Michael Young. David Murphy due up.
Rangers 5, Angels 2 Top 7, 0 OutsJun 3 5:33 PM - John Hester lead-off Home Run (1) to left. Mike Trout due up.
Rangers 3, Angels 2 Bot 6, 0 OutsJun 3 5:22 PM - Ian Kinsler ground out short to first scored David Murphy with two out. Runner on second and Elvis Andrus due up.
Rangers 3, Angels 1 Top 6, 2 OutsJun 3 5:13 PM - Erick Aybar double to left scored Mark Trumbo with two out. On the play, Erick Aybar advances to third on the throw. Runner on third and Peter Bourjos due up.
Rangers 2, Angels 1 Bot 5, 2 OutsJun 3 5:01 PM - Michael Young infield single to second, deflected by first scored Ian Kinsler with two out. On the play, Adrian Beltre advances to third. Runners on first and third and Nelson Cruz due up.
Rangers 2, Angels 0 Top 5, 2 OutsJun 3 4:49 PM - Elvis Andrus double to center scored Mike Napoli with one out. On the play, Mitch Moreland advances to third. Runners on second and third and Josh Hamilton due up.
Rangers 1, Angels 0 Top 3, 1 OutJun 3 4:13 PM - TEXAS: 0
LOS ANGELES: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jun 3 3:38 PM
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