The Rangers defeated the Angels on Tuesday in Surprise by a 6-4 score, improving the team’s record in home games to 8-2-1. The club never trailed in snapping a brief 2-game losing skid, as Texas is now 7-3-1 in its last 11 games.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa finished with a 3-for-4 day, scoring twice. The shortstop is now 10-for-22 (.455) over his last 7 games to raise his batting average to a spring-high .371. Leody Taveras had 2 hits, and he has hit safely in 6 straight ‘A’ games at .409 (9-22). Brock Holt went 2-for-2 with a walk, as his 2-run double in the first inning would give Texas a lead for the duration of the game. It was Holt’s first ‘A’ game since Thursday after missing time with back stiffness. Jonah Heim had a 2-run double in the 4th inning.
Adolis García hit a solo home run in the 5th inning to give Texas a 5-1 lead at that point, and added a sac fly in the 6th to provide the final 6-4 margin. With 2 RBI today, García is now tied for 2nd on the club with 9 RBI this spring. García pinch ran in the first inning for Khris Davis, who exited with a left quad strain after legging out a bunt single. Davis will continue to be evaluated.
Starter Jordan Lyles (4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R-ER, 0 BB, 4 SO) earned the win for Texas, as his lone run allowed came on a Turner Ward home run to open the 2nd inning. Lyles now has a 2.57 ERA over 3 ‘A’ outings this spring. Joe Palumbo recorded the save with a scoreless 9th inning, benefiting from a nifty game-ending double play turned by Andy Ibáñez, Anderson Tejeda, and Curtis Terry. It was Palumbo’s first game action since March 4 after missing time due to lower back tightness.
On Wednesday, the Rangers will begin a stretch of three consecutive night games, starting with an 8:05 p.m. CT road contest tomorrow night against Cincinnati in Goodyear. LHP Hyeon-jong Yang (0-0, 3.00) will make his first start of the spring for Texas, facing Reds RHP Tony Santillan (0-1, 0.00).
From Rangers PR staff reports