Angels 0-12 Rangers (August 14, 2023) Game Recap – ESPN

ARLINGTON, Texas — — Max Scherzer allowed just an infield single and a walk while striking out 11 in seven innings to record his third win in three starts in Texas as the Rangers beat the Los Angeles Angels 12-0 on the night of Monday.

Marcus Semien had two hits and a game-high five RBIs, including a three-run home run in the seventh inning. Three batters later, Adolis Garcia increased his AL-best RBI total to 91 with a two-run shot that was his 30th of the season.

Scherzer’s hits included his first two career home runs against Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani.

Scherzer (12-4) has given up a run in his last 19 innings since starting his career with the Rangers, allowing three runs in the first inning on Aug. 3 against the Chicago White Sox.

“You enjoy them — don’t get me wrong — but I know what it takes to win at this level,” said Scherzer, whose 3,340 career hits are two shy of tying Phil Niekro for 11th all-time. “You have to be on your A game every time. There is no time to ever let off the gas. You don’t just start your season. It’s the entirety of it.”

Mike Moustakas led off Los Angeles’ second inning with a pitch that second baseman Semien dropped to his left to make the stop, but his throw was not in time.

Scherzer’s only walk came in the second as well, to Hunter Renfroe with one out. Matt Thaiss then grounded into a double play as Scherzer retired the final 16 batters he faced.

Martin Perez followed Schercher to end the combined with one hit, extending his final streak to 22.

Scherzer threw 100 pitches with only one inning in which he gave up more than 15.

He struck out all three batters he faced in the first and sixth innings. In the first, he appeared upset when Brandon Drury was called out for three on a clock violation to end the Angels’ inning.

Scherzer had nine wins with the New York Mets before being traded to Texas on July 30. His 12 wins ties him with Tampa Bay’s Zach Elfin for the most of any AL player.

Texas won in the third and seventh innings. Angels pitchers allowed 12 hits, walked eight — one intentional — and threw two wild pitches in seven innings before infielder Eduardo Escobar pitched the eighth and gave up an unearned run.

Los Angeles also committed three errors.

Angels manager Phil Nevin said his team lacked focus starting in the first at-bat. Nevin attributed his lineup’s poor performance to struggles on the mound and in the field.

“When you have to stand on the field for 25, 30 pitches every half on defense, believe me, it’s hard to go up and have a good at-bat, especially against a guy who’s going to the Hall of Fame. he said.

In Texas’ two-run second inning, Semien had an RBI single with a second run to score when Angels center fielder Mickey Moniak hit the ball.

In the Rangers’ third inning, one run scored on a bases-loaded walk by Patrick Sandoval (6-9) – his final hit – and another scored on a wild pitch by Griffin Canning, making his first appearance in 25 After July he is on the injured list.

ONCE IS ENOUGH

Nevin reiterated that he expects Ohtani to miss just one shift in the starting rotation with arm fatigue and return next Tuesday or Wednesday in Cincinnati.

His rationale? “That’s what he told us,” Nevin said.

PERSTELA PROGRESS

Angels OF Mike Trout said he is progressing but has no date for his return from a fractured left hamate bone that has sidelined him since July 3. Nevin said the next step will be for Trout, who started swinging against a machine last Friday, to face live pitching.

THE ROSTER IS MOVING

Rangers OF Travis Jankowski has been reinstated from MLB’s paternity leave list. In the corresponding move, INF Jonathan Ornelas was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock.

NEAR LEKUS

Texas hit 11 homers, breaking the major league record set by Atlanta in 2021. … Semien has a 21-game on-base streak. … The Rangers’ 71-48 record is the franchise’s best through 119 games. … The Angels are 59-61, matching a season-worst two games under .500.

NEXT

The middle game of the series will match the trade deadline pitching acquisitions as Angels RHP Lucas Giolito (7-8, 4.37 ERA) faces Rangers LHP Jordan Montgomery (7-10, 3.38).

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb