Peter Bourjos had a night to remember for the Angels. Bourjos went 4-for-5 and drove in four runs to help the Angels give the Rangers their first home loss of the season by the score of 15-4. The Halos (11-6) have won 10 of their last 13 and 6 out of 7 games putting them in a tie with Texas for the AL West lead. The Angels had at least one base runner every inning except the third, and totaled 25 men on base in the game (15 hits, 6 walks, 4 Ranger errors).
Adding to the Angels onslaught were rookie Mark Trumbo and leadoff hitter Maicer Izturis. Both contributed home runs, while Trumbo drove in 4 runs. The bottom four hitters in the Angel batting order -- Callaspo, Trumbo, Conger, and Bourjos -- went a combined 11-for-16 with 11 runs scored and 11 RBI. In what looks like an end to his season long slump, Vernon Wells collected two hits giving him 7 in his last 17 at-bats (.412) and extending his hit streak to 6 games (.346).
Matt Palmer (1-0, 4.22 ERA), making his second start for injured Scott Kazmir, went 6 innings, giving up one run on 3 hits.
The Angels and Texas complete their 3-game series tomorrow at 5:05 (Pacific) when Jered Weaver (4-0, 1.30 ERA) will square-off against Matt Harrison (3-0, 1.23 ERA).
Recently, it has been a series of streaks for the Angels. Prior to heading out on the road, the Angels stopped the Indians' 8-game win streak. In Chicago, their 7-game losing streak at the hands of the White Sox was ended. Their own small 5-game win streak ended last night with a 7-1 loss in Arlington during the first of their 3-game series against the Rangers. Tonight, the Angels look to end Texas' perfect record at home since the beginning of this season.
Matt Palmer (0-0, 7.71 ERA) will make his second start of the season. In his first start Palmer went 4.2 innings against Toronto. In that game he surrendered 5 runs (4 earned) and 10 hits, while walking one and striking out two. His only start against the Rangers was during the 2009 season when he pitched one-hit ball over five innings.
The Rangers will be starting Colby Lewis (1-1, 5.25 ERA). Lewis also gave up 5 runs in his last start, a 5-0 loss facing the Orioles. He is 3-2 in seven starts against the Halos, with a 4.35 ERA. Last season in two starts, Lewis was 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA.
Game time is 5:05 (Pacific) and will be broadcast on FSW. For more information, be sure to check Halos Heaven.
