25-20 - Tropeano torpedoes Rangers in opener against Angels

For all the grousing about Derek Holland this season, it was the offense who let Dutch down today. The team that scored nine runs against Houston just yesterday was unable to plate a run against Nick Tropeano and the Angel bullpen.

The Rangers had their chance in the 8th with the bases loaded and just one out when Johnny Giavotella made a diving catch on a broken bat liner behind the second base bag off the bat of Adrian Beltre. Mitch Moreland followed with a blistering shot that looked like it would easily tie the game but Angels reliever Fernando Salas blocked the ball from going up the middle and finished the inning unscathed.

Which one of you forgot to feed the luck dragons?

Player of the Game: Holland pitched 6 2/3 stellar innings with the only blemish in the entire game for either team coming on an Albert Pujols two-out, two-run home run on an inside fastball which is unfortunately the one pitch Pujols hits anymore. Holland was able to get his fastball up to 94-95 MPH a few times as he had some of his best stuff of the year, so that's promising.

Up Next: Martin Perez gets the start against RHP Jhoulys Chacin in his third appearance for the Angels. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm CT.