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62-83 - No no-no for bullpenning Halos, Rangers still fall 1-0

“You see a base hit is a fair ball struck such that the batter can advance safely to a base without being eliminated via a catch or putout.”

By ghostofErikThompson
MLB: Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Jim Johnson made his MLB debut in 2006 with a start for the Baltimore Orioles. Between that night and tonight’s game, Johnson made 666 relief outings before starting tonight’s game as the starter in a scheduled bullpen game for the Angels.

Of course, having summoned that evil on the Rangers, for 7 1⁄3 innings, Texas was bedeviled by Johnson first and five subsequent relievers until they finally collected their first hit off the Angels’ seventh pitcher Blake Parker in the top of the eighth.

Even though Texas followed with another hit to tempt a possible comeback win, they were not able to plate a run and the first career home run by Anaheim’s Jose Fernandez off Rangers starter Adrian Sampson was the lone run either team would score in a 1-0 Angels win.

Player of the Game: I would like to thank Angels fans for starting the wave in the stands during a no-hitter literally exactly the moment Isiah Kiner-Falefa stepped into the batter’s box. Three pitches later and the no-hitter was dead. Never do the wave.

Up Next: Yovani Gallardo will make the start for the Rangers in tomorrow night’s rubber match against RHP Felix Pena for the Angels. First pitch in the finale from Angels Stadium is scheduled for 9:07 pm CT.