7th inning surge overpowers Rangers

ALBERT PUJOLS had three hits, including a home run in the Angels’ 11-7 win over the Rangers (Flickr/Keith Allison).

The Los Angeles Angels won a slugfest Saturday at a soggy diamond at Globe Life Field, besting the Texas Rangers 11-7. The seventh inning was key, in which the Angels scored five runs, three on a pinch-hit home run by Shohei Ohtani.

Saturday’s victory slipped the Halo record back above .500 at 63-62, while the Rangers fell to 55-70.

The contest was tied 6-6 when the Angels broke loose with a hitting barrage in the seventh which included Taylor Ward’s first career home run. Overall, Albert Pujols was the heaviest hitter with three hits, four RBIs and one home run, his 19th of the season.

For the game, the Angels had 16 hits, with Eric Young, Jr. collecting three, and two each for David Fletcher, Justin Upton, Jefry Marte and Ward.

Starter Andrew Heaney had a bumpy night, giving up 10 hits and six runs in 5.1 innings. He struck out five and walked two. The win – in relief – went to Cam Bedrosian (5-2).

The series finale is Sunday with Jamie Barria (8-7) starting for the Orange County team, while the Rangers counter with Yovano Gallardo (7-2).