ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Taylor Ward hit a three-run homer in the first inning and had a career-high five RBIs, leading Los Angeles over the Texas Rangers 9-8 on Wednesday in the finale of a 10-game homestand that saw the Angels lose Mike Trout to an injury for at least eight weeks.
Ward hit a drive to right-center on a slider from Dane Dunning (2-4) in a five-run first and drove in a pair of runs with a bloop single to left in a four-run fifth that boosted the lead to 9-1. Ward had the third three-hit game of his big league career, his second against the Rangers.
Plagued by among the major leagues’ worst bullpens, the Angels allowed Texas to close. Nate Lowe had a two-run homer in sixth, and Texas scored five times in the eighth off three relievers. Joey Gallo had a two-run homer, Brock Holt doubled in a run and Willie Calhoun hit a two-run double.
Lowe led off the ninth with an infield single, but Raisel Iglesias struck out Adolis García, Joey Gallo and Khris Davis for his eighth save in 10 chances.
Garcia tied Toronto’s Vladimir Guerriero Jr. for the major league with his 16th homer, a solo shot in the fourth.
Griffin Canning (4-3) won for the third time in five starts. allowing three runs and four hits in six innings.
Los Angeles has won three straight for only the second time this season, going 5-5 on a homestand that included Trout’s strained right calf.
Pitching coach Mickey Callaway, initially suspended Feb. 2., was fired on Wednesday after he was suspended by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred through at least the end of the 2022 season following an investigation of sexual harassment allegations.
UPTON TAKES TO LEADOFF ROLE
Justin Upton became the first Angels player to homer leading off back-to-back games since Trout as a rookie in 2012. In his 15th big league…
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