Heaney returns, and so do the rallies

ANDREW Heaney struck out eight batters as the Angels defeated the Texas Rangers 7-6 in Anaheim on Sunday (Angels photo).

The way the 2019 season has been going for the Los Angeles Angels, a 5-1 deficit late in the game didn’t look too promising. But for the second time in two games, the Halos rallied late and posted a win, this one a 7-6 victory over the Texas Rangers on Sunday afternoon in Anaheim.

Andrew Heaney made his season debut as a starter and impressed all. He worked five innings and gave up two earned runs, while striking out eight batters.

But the Rangers came back against the bullpen, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth.  That set up a strong reply for the rally monkey and the Angel lineup.  Six runs poured across the plate in the bottom of the seventh. The blaze was lit by key hits by Luis Rengifo and Mike Trout, and the visitors poured gasoline on the fire with two throwing errors and two wild pitches.

The Angels outhit the Rangers 11-7 and were led by David Fletcher with three hits. Rengifo, Tommy La Stella and Mike Trout each had two hits. Trout and Rengifo each had two RBIs.

Sunday’s win improved the Halo record to 24-28 and dropped Texas to 25-25. With the victory the home team tightened its grip on fourth in the American League West. The Angels are 10 games back of the AL West-leading Houston Astros and two games out of third place.