9-14 - Rangers let Ohtani off the hook in 9-4 series opening loss to Angels

The Texas Rangers scored four runs and the Anaheim Angels scored nine runs.

After the Angels scored a run in the opening frame, the Rangers put four runs on Anaheim starter Shohei Ohtani in the first inning with a chance to potentially knock him out of the game and cause havoc in the Angel lineup as Ohtani was also batting for Anaheim tonight.

Instead, Ohtani wiggled out of danger and lasted another four innings where he didn’t allow another run and struck out nine Rangers. At the plate, the two-way Japanese star went 2-for-3 with a walk, two RBI, and three runs scored.

Up 4-1 early, Rangers starter Jordan Lyles immediately coughed up the lead in the next inning and eventually allowed seven Angels runs in just 2 ²⁄₃ innings as he looked more like Pittsburgh Pirates Jordan Lyles than Milwaukee Brewers Jordan Lyles.

Before this one concluded, the Angels scored the game’s final eight runs.

Things are pretty ugly in Arlington right now as the Rangers have tied their season-worst losing skid at four games.

Player of the Game: Nate Lowe hit his team-leading sixth donger of the year, a three-run shot off Ohtani in the first inning that made things appear quite promising for the Rangers early in this one but was ultimately the loudest that Texas would get offensively.

I therefore nominate 33-year-old Hyeon-Jong Yang who was making his Major League debut tonight after the Rangers signed him to a minor league deal out of the KBO over the winter. In his first action in the Majors, Yang provided some quality bullpen-saving action after Lyles’ short outing.

Overall Yang tossed 4 ¹⁄₃ innings and allowed two runs on five hits, zero walks and a strikeout.

And, yes, Joey Gallo reached base tonight.

Up Next: The Rangers and Angels are back at it tomorrow night with RHP Mike Foltynewicz ready to make the start for Texas opposite LHP Jose Quintana for Anaheim. Tuesday’s first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 7:05 pm CT.