Angels score early, often in Texas sweep
ARLINGTON -- The Angels once again struck early and completed a three-game sweep of the Rangers with a 12-6 victory on Sunday night. The Angels, who led, 12-1, after five innings, outscored the Rangers, 33-8, during the series, including a combined 22-1 over the first four innings of the three games.
Angels starter C.J. Wilson out-pitched former teammate Colby Lewis, holding the Rangers to three runs in six innings. He allowed six hits and two walks while striking out four. The Angels have won seven of their last eight and are now six games over .500 for the first time this season.
"We really broke out this series, no doubt," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think what I'm going to carry away from this series is really how well we pitched against a team that can really swing it. I thought we pitched really well this series and gave us a chance, and our offense blossomed."
Video: LAA@TEX: Giavotella on his big game, Angels' sweep
Lewis allowed 10 runs in four-plus innings. It's the fourth time in Lewis' career that he has allowed 10 runs in a start, and the second time this season. He allowed 10 runs over 2 2/3 innings in a 12-3 loss to the Indians on May 27, but was 4-0 with a 3.29 ERA in his next six starts before Sunday night.
"I guess you could chalk this up to having good days and bad days," Lewis said. "You hope to have more better ones than bad ones. They were aggressive early in the count and swung the bat well. I can't elaborate any more on what was working and what wasn't."
The Rangers have lost six straight at home as well as 11 of their last 15 overall.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Cron comes through: Scioscia said he wanted to keep C.J. Cron's bat in the lineup after he had a six-RBI game Saturday. Cron, who has been in and out of the lineup this season, made the most of his opportunity by going 4-for-5 with a double and an RBI. His four hits matched a career high, and Cron finished this three-game series 8-for-14 with a home run and eight RBIs.
"We talked about C.J. yesterday, and he followed it up with another great game," Scioscia said. "Much more comfortable in the batter's box right now than he has been at any point in the season." More >
Video: LAA@TEX: Cron pads lead with double into the gap
Gott's run ends: Angels right-hander Trevor Gott had his streak of nine consecutive scoreless innings pitched end. Gott was the first player in Angels history to start his Major League career with nine scoreless outings of at least one inning pitched. The only other pitcher to do so since 1914 is Joba Chamberlain, who threw shutout outings in 11 straight games for the Yankees in 2007. Gott allowed a two-run home run to Rougned Odor in the seventh.
Video: LAA@TEX: Odor hits a two-run shot to right-center
Fielder goes deep: Prince Fielder tied a Texas legend with a two-out home run in the first inning. It was his 13th home run of the season and also the 301st of his career. That ties him with Hall of Famer and Texas native Rogers Hornsby for 137th all-time.
Lewis tries for five: Lewis allowed eight runs in the first four innings. The Rangers had long reliever Anthony Ranaudo ready for the fifth, but manager Jeff Banister sent Lewis back out for more. Lewis walked Matt Joyce and allowed an RBI double to Cron before Banister brought in Ranaudo.
"Given where we were in the bullpen and how taxed our bullpen was over the past couple of days, put that one on me," Banister said. "I felt like if we could get one more inning out of Lewis and then turn it over to Ranaudo, we would be in shape not to have to use guys we didn't want to use. That was a little bit of a challenge. Colby is a true veteran. ... There are times when you have to let the veteran go out and do what [he] can."
QUOTABLE
"There is an element to be able to flush a game like this out, and also an element to allow these games to sting. You can also close ranks and pull together. These are gut-check times. We have been through this situation earlier this year. You have to find a way to regroup, continue to play and challenge each other to get better." -- Banister on the Rangers getting swept by the Angels.
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Albert Pujols hit his 25th home run of the season. He is now one of 10 players with 14 career seasons with at least 25 home runs. It was also his 1,134th career extra-base hit. That is 13th all-time, two behind Ty Cobb.
Video: LAA@TEX: Pujols hammers a home run to left field
Replay Review
A successful challenge helped the Rangers put a stop to the Angels' first-inning rally. The Angels led, 3-0, with a runner at first and one out when David Freese hit a grounder to third baseman Adrian Beltre. Freese was ruled safe at first on the around-the-horn double-play attempt, but the Rangers challenged the call and got it overturned.
Video: LAA@TEX: Rangers turn two on overturned call in 1st
WHAT'S NEXT
Angels: After an off-day on Monday, the Angels travel to Coors Field, where left-hander Andrew Heaney will start against the Rockies on Tuesday at 5:40 p.m. PT. Heaney (1-0, 1.38 ERA) has allowed only six hits in 13 innings pitched this season.
Rangers: Yovani Gallardo takes a 29 1/3 consecutive-scoreless-innings streak into his 7:05 p.m. CT Tuesday start against the D-backs. The club record is 39 innings. This is the first of a two-game set against the D-backs.
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