Angels and Rangers: Fireworks on the Diamond and Red-Hot Emotions
Anaheim, California – The game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night ended with a score of 8-5 in favor of the home team, but the result was secondary to the tension that was experienced on the field. The eighth inning was the epicenter of a confrontation that ignited tempers, although fortunately it did not escalate. The situation heated up when Rangers reliever Shawn Armstrong hit Zach Neto and Mike Trout with consecutive pitches, loading the bases. This provoked the reaction of the Angels’ interim manager, Ray Montgomery, who went to the plate visibly upset and confronted Texas manager Bruce Bochy.Montgomery explained that his reaction was partly because Neto was hit by Patrick Corbin in the first inning and Luis Rengifo by Caleb Boushley in the seventh. However, he did not accuse the Rangers of intentionally trying to hit the Angels players. The Angels’ manager added: “When that happens, everyone gets angry at the moment. I was frustrated because our guys were getting hit, and I wanted him to control the ball better.” Montgomery’s reaction was well received by his players. “I think the guys loved it. He’s defending his players,” Trout said. “We’ve been saying from day one that we’re a close-knit group and we play for each other.”“I only heard the screams, and that was enough,” Bochy declared. “The last thing we were trying to do was hit someone. I put Armstrong in to prevent them from scoring runs. But I guess we hit someone, and it’s considered intentional, but when they hit the Rangers’ shortstop, Corey Seager, it’s not. I just thought enough was enough.”
Bruce Bochy, Manager of the Texas Rangers
Regarding the game, the Angels rallied in the sixth inning, scoring four runs with two outs. Gustavo Campero hit a run-scoring double to tie the game at four runs, Yoán Moncada hit a two-run single to give the Angels a 6-4 lead, and Neto added a run-scoring double to make the score 7-4.
Despite being outhit 14-6, the Angels secured their fourth win in five games, improving their record to 53-55 and moving within four games of an American League Wild Card spot before Thursday’s trade deadline. Texas (56-52) is one game out of playoff contention. Veteran closer Kenley Jansen, who has been in trade rumors, pitched a scoreless ninth inning, earning his 20th save and extending his scoreless streak to 17 games. “I still believe in this team, man,” Jansen said about the Angels, who are looking to break a 10-year playoff drought. “It’s up to the front office to determine which direction to take, but if they can find a way to improve, we have an offense that can win games. I like this group of players. I want to be part of the transformation of this franchise.”
