MLB: Hurting Texas Rangers Take Two of Three from Angels

Injured, limping and bloodied - yet the Texas Rangers somehow pulled off their first series win in five tries against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this weekend.

Playing without a single starting outfielder due to injuries and still missing key people from their bullpen, the Rangers managed to take two of three games over the weekend. As a result, Texas (21-19) gained back some lost ground and now trail Los Angeles (22-19) by only half a game.

The Halos came to town Friday, in what was expected to be, a dogged, determined fight between these long time rivals. They did not disappoint.

After splitting the first two games, C.J. Wilson (4-2, 3.36 ERA) took the mound for the Rangers In the rubber match Sunday afternoon. The Angels had Ervin Santana (1-4, 4.81) on the hill.

Despite struggling with his command, particularly with his fastball, Wilson was able to pitch well enough to limit the Angels to four runs, two un-earned, on six hits through six innings. 

Wilson's day was cut short, however. By the sixth inning, he had already thrown over 100 pitches and was pulled by manager Ron Washington.

Santana's day was better than the last time he faced the Rangers, but still gave up four runs on eight hits, including two home runs.

The first came off Adrian Beltre who went deep in the third inning with Elvis Andrus and Ian Kinsler on base. It was Beltre's 10th home run of the season. The next inning, Chris Davis muscled an opposite field solo shot that just cleared the left field wall to give Texas a three run lead.

Davis, who barely missed a home run earlier in the game, would have more to show later in the game.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles would come back.

In the top of the fifth, Eric Aybar homered to make the game 4-2. He would also knock in two more in the sixth with a single to right field that brought in Albert Callaspo and Mark Trumbo to tie the game at four apiece.

Three innings later, it was Davis who came through in the clutch (something he's not known for) that put the Rangers on top for good. In the bottom of the eighth, with nobody out and the bases loaded, Davis hit a soft line drive to right field off relief pitcher Hisanori Takahashi. Adrian Beltre scored from third to give Texas a 5-4 lead.

It would be all the Rangers would get in the inning - and all they would need.

Davis, who is considered by some to be one of the best defensive first basemen in the game, has had serious issues with his swing at the plate since his rookie season. Today's game could be a major confidence boost for him.

"Wash told me right before I came up when I was standing on deck to just do what the situation asks you to do," Davis said according to MLB.com.

"I feel like today was a great shot of redemption and I was able to get it done."

The Angels had a chance to tie it up. With one out and a runner on third following an Alexi Amarista triple, Beltre was playing up on the grass when he fielded a hard-hit ground ball by Peter Bourjos. Beltre threw home to Mike Napoli who caught Amarista in a rundown - he was tagged out to effectively end the Angel's scoring threat.

But it was the end of this contest that truly put an exclamation point on this series for Texas.

In the bottom of the ninth, Neftali Feliz was brought in to close it down. With one out and Howie Kendrick on first, Alberto Callaspo struck out swinging on a high 90's fastball. Catcher Mike Napoli then quickly fired the ball to second to gun down a running Kendrick.

Game over. Rangers 5, Angels 4.

“We didn’t play our best ball game. With some guys in scoring position, they made some pitches and minimized some damage,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said according to the AP. “We didn’t do enough.

It was an exciting end to an exciting series that, at times, was sloppy...but overall, everything we've come to expect between these two clubs.

And, for the Rangers, they can take solace in the fact they got the better of the Angels despite missing so many starters from the lineup.

They're going to need their new-found confidence because the injury situation doesn't get any better as Texas prepares for a seven game road trip.

The Rangers visit the Chicago White Sox for a two game set before heading off to Kansas City. 

* Note: Ian Kinsler had four hits in the game, including one double. Kinsler was also awarded a hit (I've no idea how) after an infield pop-up in the first inning landed between first basemen Mark Trumbo and second baseman, Howie Kendrick - following some confusion over who was calling the ball.