Angels ride 6-run 2nd to rout of Rangers
ARLINGTON -- The Angels drove Rangers starter Chi Chi Gonzalez out of the game with six runs in the second inning on their way to an 8-2 win on Friday night.
Five of the six runs came across after two were out, on a three-run double by Kole Calhoun and a two-run single by Erick Aybar. Calhoun also had a run-scoring double in the third to give him four RBIs, tying his season high. Aybar went 5-for-5, the first five-hit game of his career.
Video: LAA@TEX: Aybar collects first career five-hit game
"He waited for some good pitches to hit," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Got into some good counts and just had a terrific offensive night. It was good to see Erick contribute."
Angels starter Garrett Richards picked up his ninth win of the season by holding the Rangers to one run in 7 2/3 innings. He allowed six hits, walked one and struck out six while winning his fourth decision in his past five starts.
Gonzalez is 0-3 with a 10.13 ERA in his past three starts.
"He didn't nail the bottom part of the strike zone like he normally does," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "It got away from him in the second inning and when he had to come over the plate, they were able to drive the baseball." More >
Video: LAA@TEX: Banister on Gonzalez's rough start in loss
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Right on time: The Angels finally got timely hitting after entering Friday having stranded 88 runners in their past nine games. They were hitless in their past 25 at-bats with runners in scoring position. In the second, that changed with RBIs from C.J. Cron, Calhoun and Aybar. The Halos scored more than four runs for the first time since June 19.
Video: LAA@TEX: Calhoun drives in Perez with a double
"When you got a little bit of run support, you can go out there and you don't have to be as fine," Richards said. "You can start battling again against guys and going right at them."
Video: LAA@TEX: Aybar on his five hits, 8-2 win over Rangers
Staying grounded: Richards got 12 ground-ball outs and six strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings as he sailed to his sixth consecutive win against Texas. Richards entered his start with a 55.3 ground-ball percentage -- 10th best in the Majors. Richards allowed only one run, giving the Angels eight straight games in which the starter has allowed two or fewer runs.
"That lineup is going to let you know if you miss spots," Scioscia said. "They've got some guys that really drive the ball, and Garrett really was on top of it. Pitched ahead a lot. Kept the ball down. Elevated what he wanted to. Had his good breaking stuff going." More >
Video: LAA@TEX: Richards fans six, holds Rangers to one run
Chirinos just misses: Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos came to the plate with two on and two out in the second inning. Texas trailed, 6-0, at the time and Chirinos just missed cutting the lead in half. He got under a 2-1 cut fastball and flied out to left to end the threat.
Beltre delivers: Adrian Beltre drove in a run with a single in the sixth for Texas. It was just his third RBI in 11 games since coming off the disabled list. He was 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position before bringing home Prince Fielder from second base.
Video: LAA@TEX: Beltre drives in Fielder with single in 6th
QUOTABLE
"Without what our pitchers are doing and our defense, there's no way we're even four games over .500. It's a good sign if we can start swinging our bats like we did tonight." -- Scioscia
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
The Rangers are 15-20 at home, a .429 winning percentage. Right now, that would be the fourth lowest home winning percentage in club history. The Rangers have lost four straight at home.
WHAT'S NEXT
Angels: Left-hander Hector Santiago makes his third start against the Rangers this season Saturday at 6:05 p.m. PT. Santiago has allowed one or fewer earned runs in nine of his past 14 starts.
Rangers: Left-hander Wandy Rodriguez pitches for the Rangers at 8:05 p.m. CT on Saturday and will be looking for his first win at home. He is 0-3 with a 7.11 ERA in five starts in Arlington.
Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV.