61-65 - Game 1 goes to Angels as Rangers get blistered 5-1

Joe Palumbo might have exited today’s game with a nasty looking blister on his thumb after just 40 pitches but I would have believed you if you told me it was from a snake bite.

Despite earning PCL pitcher of the week honors and tossing nothing but no-hit innings in his final tuneup, Palumbo ran face first into Mike Trout and the Angels before a blister ended his afternoon.

This makes a second time Palumbo has neared a permanent audition in the rotation only to see a nagging injury halt his progress immediately.

At least this one came in under three hours in the 100+ degree heat as these two clubs will look to finish a third game in basically 24 hours and the Rangers will seek to avoid going 0-for-Monday after losing today’s first game 5-1.

Player of the Game: Willie Calhoun smacked another dinger but in an otherwise forgettable game, Nick Solak will always remember this one for making his debut and collecting his first big league hit.

Up Next: More baseball in just a bit as LHP Brock Burke will make his MLB debut for the Rangers against RHP Jaime Barria for the Angels. The second game of this doubleheader will begin at 7:05 pm CT.