Rangers @ Angels: July 13th-15th

[Molina00]

Interesting little development in the first series back from the all-star. I believe Millwood made the last start before the break and here he is making the first start after the break. The Rangers also faced the same team they faced in just their 2nd to last series before the break. Anyway, on to the recap.

Millwood pitched an excellent game going 7 innings and allowing just 1 run on 5 hits and striking out 7. Joaquin Benoit couldn't hold the Angels however as they scored their 2nd run of the game which ended up being enough for the win.

Kelvim Escobar dominated the Ranger hitters giving up just 1 run over 8 innings as he dealt the Rangers a 2-1 loss in the first game back from the all-star break.

[Molina00]

After a disappointing 0-2 return from the all-star break, the Rangers notched their first wi of the 2nd half in yesterday's 5-4, 11 inning win over the Angels.

Brandon McCarthy started for Texas. He got roughed up a bit for 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits over 6 innings and was outdueled by Jered Weaver, who gave up only 2 runs over 7 innings (none of which were earned). The Ranger pen was on fire however pitching a combined 5 scoreless innings to finish out the game. The Angels pen did not pitch as well giving up 3 runs over 4 innings of work.

The Rangers trailed 4-2 going into the 8th inning when they broke out for 2 runs against Angels setup man Scot Shields, giving him his 3rd blown save of the season and ballooning his ERA to 1.99.

The game would stay tied until the 11th inning when Mark Teixeira leadoff the inning with his 13th homerun of the year against Justin Speier. The blast gave the Rangers a 5-4 lead and Gagne set down the Angels in order in the bottom of the inning to nail down the win for Texas and notch his 13th save of the year.