Angels knock off Rangers behind Tyler Anderson, 14-hit attack – Orange County Register

Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. Anderson allowed one run in seven innings and won 9-3. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

ARLINGTON, Texas – Every time the Angels put together a solid game during this disappointing season, manager Ron Washington expects to ultimately see those performances with more consistency.

That is a beginning. They have now managed a two-game winning streak in each of the last two weeks.

The Angels defeated the Texas Rangers 9-3 on Friday night with an impressive all-around performance after beating the St. Louis Cardinals by five runs on Wednesday. Last week’s two-game winning streak, the first since the opening week of the season, came against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

On Saturday, the Angels have a chance to snap their first three-game winning streak since they won their fourth straight on April 3.

None of this means much at this point, but the angels (17-28) will take every encouraging sign they can get.

“I hope so,” Washington said when asked if this could be the start of consistently better baseball. “And it all starts with pitching.”

Angels starter Tyler Anderson gave up one run in seven innings, beating the defending World Series champions.

Zach Neto and Taylor Ward hit home runs. Overall, the Angels had 14 hits, with eight of their nine starters scoring at least one. Five players drove in runs.

“The guys start swinging the bat,” Washington said. “We don’t have to field nine players every night, but we’re at least giving ourselves an opportunity by swinging those bats.”

Neto’s two-run home run in the fourth inning put the Angels on top to stay. He started the season slowly but has hit .319 with an OPS of .907 since May 4th. He hit three of his five home runs during that span.

“He feels good,” Washington said, “and he should feel good because he’s done some good things on the offensive side and he’s started to improve. “And we need it.”

Ward hit his ninth home run of the season.

In between home runs, the Angels opened the game with a three-run fifth that included RBI hits from Willie Calhoun and Kyren Paris.

Calhoun posted a career-best four hits and improved to .365 with a .959 OPS in 13 games with the Angels.

“He works every day,” Washington said of Calhoun. “He applies things he should do in the box. And it was just great to watch him swing the bat. He’s finally swinging the bat with consistency. He keeps up the beating. And that’s what we have to do. We just have to keep the innings going.”