ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his third home run in two games, Noah Syndergaard won a matchup of local pitchers and the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Texas Rangers 7-2 on Saturday night.
The game featured two starters from opposite sides of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in Syndergaard and Rangers lefty Taylor Hearn. It also became the latest showcase for Ohtani, the two-way superstar who won the AL MVP award last year.
Syndergaard (2-0) allowed two runs and five hits over six innings. Hearn gave up three runs in 3 2/3 innings.
Both threw 82 pitches, but Syndergaard was more economical. He needed just five pitches to get through the first inning and did not walk anybody. The right-hander retired the last 10 batters he faced after giving up two runs in the third.
Ohtani finished 2 for 5 with a two-run homer into the Rangers' bullpen in right-center. He scored three runs and drove in three more.
The Angels peppered Hearn (0-1) in the third inning. Four batters singled and sent teammates to third base, beginning with Tyler Wade's infield hit and a throwing error by second baseman Marcus Semien that sent Andrew Velazquez to third.
Max Stassi's single scored Mike Trout and sent Taylor Ward to third. Ohtani and Anthony Rendon each had an RBI in the inning.
Ward, coming off the injured list for his first game this season, went 2 for 3 with a solo home run in the ninth. He also walked twice and stole a base.
Texas scored against Syndergaard on Semien's run-scoring double and a groundout by Corey Seager. Syndergaard then struck out Adolis Garcia, gave up an infield hit and ended the inning with a groundout by Willie Calhoun.
The Rangers' beleaguered bullpen gave up four runs in the last three innings.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: Ward (strained left groin) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and played right field, batting cleanup. He filled a roster opening created Friday, when INF Jose Rojas was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake.
Rangers: RHP Josh Sborz (right elbow soreness) went on the 10-day IL, a day after allowing a two-run homer to Jared Walsh. Taking Sborz's place on the roster was LHP Matt Moore, who last pitched for Texas in 2018. Moore pitched two innings Saturday and gave up one run.
WORDS FROM THE BOSS
Angels general manager Perry Minasian supported manager Joe Maddon’s decision to walk Seager intentionally with the bases loaded during Friday’s game. “He’s got a pretty good track record,” Minasian said.
Research by members of the Society for American Baseball Research found just seven occurrences of bases-loaded intentional walks going back to Adner Dalrymple of the Chicago White Stockings in 1881.
Minasian was asked whether he had had discussions with Ohtani’s representatives on a contract extension. The GM smiled and said, “That’s an everyday question. Catch me on the right day.”
UP NEXT
Angels: LHP Jose Suarez (0-1, 4.15 ERA) is scheduled to pitch Sunday in the finale of the four-game series.
Rangers: LHP Martin Perez (0-1, 6.75) gets the ball as Texas wraps up a seven-game homestand.
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