Halos back Ramirez's 9 K's to tackle Texas

ARLINGTON -- Jefry Marte drove in three runs and JC Ramirez racked up a career-high-tying nine strikeouts as the Angels clinched a series win over the Rangers with a 5-2 victory on Sunday.
Ramirez allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings to help the Angels finished April with a winning record for only the second time since 2012, now sitting at 14-13. It was Ramirez's first Major League win as a starter since moving to the rotation earlier this month, and his second straight strong performance. 
"There's no doubt he wasn't as crisp, but he still spun the ball well and got into the sixth inning," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Rangers left-hander Martín Pérez allowed four runs over 5 2/3 innings, including eight hits and four walks. The Rangers, who had a season-high 14 strikeouts on Sunday, finished 6-4 on this 10-game homestand.
Three of the four runs Perez allowed came with two outs, including Marte's two-run single in the fifth inning that snapped a 2-2 tie.
"I'm trying to pitch for contact and my sinker was good all day," said Perez, whose one strikeout matched the fewest he's had in a game since July 15, 2016. "They don't swing a lot at that pitch. I was attacking the zone in the third inning, the fourth and the fifth. They didn't hit a lot of balls hard. That's just part of the game. I'll just keep working and be ready for my next start."
The Rangers didn't help Perez offensively, finishing 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and setting a new season high with 15 strikeouts. The 15 strikeouts are the most by the Rangers since they had 16 strikeouts June 30, 2016, against the New York Yankees.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Marte's redemption: In the first inning, Marte lined into a double play with the bases loaded. With the score tied at one in the fifth, he came up again with the bases loaded and two outs. This time, Marte singled to center to drive home two runs and give the Angels a 3-1 lead. He added a solo homer in the ninth.
"This is a difficult sport, and you have to battle," Marte said through a team translator.

Odor squanders late chance: The bottom of the eighth appeared to end when Rangers outfielder Nomar Mazara was caught stealing, but the call was overturned on replay. Carlos Gómez then walked, and first baseman Rougned Odor came up with two on, two outs, trailing 4-2. Odor worked a full count, but struck out.
QUOTABLE
"Today it was a situation where we had the 15 strikeouts on offense. They had their game plan. They were only going to show fastball really and utilize the secondary stuff to keep our guys off balance. There were some situations today where we chased some stuff outside the zone." -- manager Jeff Banister
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Kole Calhoun's leadoff homer in the third inning was the first by a left-handed hitter off Perez in Arlington in almost three years. The last lefty to take Perez deep in Texas? Boston's David Ortiz on May 10, 2014.

REPLAY REVIEW
There were back-to-back replay reviews in the eighth inning. Mazara reached first on a fielder's choice that was nearly a double play, and the Angels challenged a call of slide interference by Delino DeShields at second base. The call was upheld after an 18-second review.

When Mazara stole second, but was called out, the Rangers challenged, and that call was overturned after a one-minute, 29-second review.

WHAT'S NEXT
Angels: The Angels are off Monday and then head to Seatte for a three-game series beginning on Tuesday. Matt Shoemaker takes the mound for the Angels. He allowed seven runs (six earned) against the Mariners on April 9.
Rangers: Right-hander Andrew Cashner is looking for his first win of the season as the Conroe, Texas native gets the start in the series opener Monday in Houston. He is 2-2 with a 3.97 ERA in 10 starts against the Astros.
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