By Pete Zarustica/Garden Grove Journal/with wire service reports
The eyes of Texas are looking, somewhat nervously, on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Zack Greinke
After Tuesday’s 6-2 win by the Halos in Arlington, the Rangers’ lead in the American League West had shrunk to just three games. That win, combined with Monday’s 15-8 bombing. meant that the Angels have won four of the last five games between the two teams.
The win improved the Angels’ mark to 57-47 and leapfrogged them into second place in the ALW thanks to Oakland’s 8-0 loss to Tampa Bay.
The series continued Wednesday (results too late for our deadline) and will conclude today (Thursday).
This uptick couldn’t have come at a better time for the Halos. Posting a 7-9 record after the All-Star break, the Angels looked pretty limp being swept in three by the Tampa Bay Rays, despite the addition of pitching star Zack Greinke, who pitched well in defeat Sunday.
But against the Rangers, the sleeping Halo offense came alive Monday. Kendrys Morales homered from both sides of the plate during a nine-run sixth inning, capping the rally with a grand slam home run.
He connected with a two-run shot in the sixth that gave the Angels a 5-3 lead, then followed it from the right side later to drive in four.
On Tuesday night Jered Weaver improved his record to 14-1, giving up two earned runs in six and one-third innings.
The Angels got two home runs from Albert Pujols and another from Mark Trout. The Angel phenom had two hits and a walk, putting his league-leading batting average at .353.
Torii Hunter also had two hits and two RBIs. After a slow start, his average is up to .284. Pujol is at .286.
After the series in Texas wraps up today, the Angels move to Chicago for three against the White Sox Friday through Sunday, then visit Oakland Monday through Wednesday.
