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ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Martin Perez worked seven strong innings, Adolis Garcia, Ezequiel Duran and Jonah Heim had RBI doubles and the Texas Rangers broke open a close contest in the ninth inning and won consecutive games for the second time this month, beating the Los Angeles Angels 7-2 Friday night.
Luis Rengifo had an RBI single for the Angels, who have a total of nine hits and two runs in the first two games of a four-game series.
Shohei Ohtani went 0 for 4, one night after he pitched six innings while giving up two runs. The Angels lost for the eighth time in their last 11 games as reports circulated that the club is at least listening to trade offers for their two-way superstar.
Still without Mike Trout, who hasn’t played since July 12 because of a back injury, the Angels did not have a hit against Perez until Jo Adell doubled in the fifth inning.
The Rangers got on the scoreboard in the sixth with the help of Adell. Semien doubled into the left-field corner, with the ball rebounding off the wall and slipping through Adell’s legs. He then dropped the ball while attempting to pick it up with his bare hand, allowing Semien to race all the way around the bases.
Two batters after Semien scored, Jonah Heim walked and came home on Adolis Garcia’s double, giving Texas a 2-0 lead.
The Angels got a run back in their half of the sixth. Brandon Marsh walked with one out, went to second on David Fletcher’s single and scored on Rengifo’s two-out single to left. But the Angels left a pair of runners in scoring position when Taylor Ward flew out to left, ending the threat.
Perez (9-2) gave up one run on three hits over seven innings. It was the third consecutive start he has given up just one run, adn the second in a row that he has allowed one run over seven innings. Perez avenged an April 17th loss to the Angels when he gave up four runs (three earned) in four innings.
Angels starter Patrick Sandoval (3-7) gave up two runs on four hits over 5 2/3 innings with two walks and six strikeouts.
The Rangers put the game out of reach by scoring five runs in the ninth inning. Duran and Heim had RBI doubles and Leody Taveras had an RBI single, as Texas cashed in two more Angels gifts. Semien's ground ball was misplayed by Rengifo, allowing Kole Calhoun to score, while Duran scored on one of two wild pitches by Elvis Peguero.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rangers: SS Corey Seager was out of the lineup Friday with a contusion on his lower left leg that forced him out of Thursday’s series opener. He is considered day to day moving forward. Semien took over at shortstop and Charlie Culberson started at second base.
UP NEXT
Rangers: RHP Glenn Otto (4-7, 5.37 ERA) has lost five of six starts and will face a division opponent for the fourth consecutive time Saturday.
Angels: RHP Chase Silseth (1-3, 5.84) is expected to be recalled from Double-A Rocket City for his third stint with the club this season.
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