Anaheim, CA. — The Los Angeles Angels powered their way past the red-hot Texas Rangers on Monday night, using three home runs to secure a 6–4 victory and snap the Rangers’ six-game winning streak.
Kevin Newman, Taylor Ward, and Luis Rengifo all went deep for the Angels, who’ve now won back-to-back games for the first time since mid-July. Ward’s solo blast in the sixth inning broke a 3–3 tie, and Rengifo followed with a two-run shot off reliever Jacob Webb that gave Los Angeles a cushion they wouldn’t surrender.
Closer Kenley Jansen shut the door with a clean ninth inning to earn his 19th save of the season. The 37-year-old veteran has now gone 16 straight appearances without allowing an earned run — the longest active streak in the American League and the third-longest of his career.
Connor Brogdon (2–1) picked up the win in relief after taking over for rookie Jack Kochanowicz, who was called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Salt Lake. Kochanowicz tossed 4 2/3 innings, allowing two unearned runs and striking out three in his MLB debut.
Newman started the scoring in the third with a two-run homer to left, followed by an RBI double from Zach Neto in the fifth. The Angels’ offense took full advantage of a rare off night from Rangers ace Jacob deGrom (10–3), who allowed five runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings. DeGrom, who had gone 6–0 over his previous 10 starts, has now surrendered at least one home run in five straight outings — a career first for the two-time Cy Young winner.
Texas got solo efforts from Josh Jung (home run) and Jonah Heim (RBI single), and briefly tied the game at 3–3 in the sixth thanks to a defensive miscue. An error by Angels right fielder Gustavo Campero, who bobbled a routine fly ball, allowed Josh Smith and Corey Seager to score.
Game-Changer
Ward’s solo homer to lead off the sixth sparked a three-run inning that gave the Angels the lead for good.
Notable Stat
This marks the first time the Angels have won consecutive games since defeating the Diamondbacks on July 11 and 12.
Next Up:
The series continues Tuesday night:
Patrick Corbin (6–7, 3.78 ERA) gets the nod for Texas, while the Angels send Yusei Kikuchi (4–7, 3.23 ERA) to the mound for Game 2.
