ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Corey Seager hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning, helping the Texas Rangers top the Los Angeles Angels 5-3 on Thursday.
Seager drove a 1-1 fastball from José Quijada (0-5) deep to left for his 32nd homer, extending his career best in his first season with Texas. Quijada came in to pitch the eighth and walked leadoff hitter Marcus Semien before Seager went deep.
Matt Moore (5-2) got three outs for the win, and Jose Leclerc handled the ninth for his seventh save in eight opportunities.
Angels star Shohei Ohtani was held out of the starting lineup, but he pinch-hit with one out in the ninth. Ohtani doubled into the right-field corner, but Luis Rengifo and Mike Trout struck out swinging.
Angels right-hander Michael Lorenzen was charged with three runs and two hits in five-plus innings. He struck out seven and walked two.
The Angels led 3-1 before the Rangers rallied in the sixth. Leody Taveras walked and Semien singled before Lorenzen was replaced by Aaron Loup.
After Seager bounced into a forceout, Nathaniel Lowe and Adolis Garcia hit consecutive RBI singles. Jonah Heim followed with another base hit, but left fielder Jo Adell cut down Lowe at the plate.
Los Angeles scored three times in the third against Martín Pérez. Mike Trout, serving as the designated hitter with Ohtani out of the lineup, hit a two-run double with two out and scored on Taylor Ward’s single to right.
Pérez allowed five hits, struck out five and walked three in six innings. The left-hander won each of his previous two starts.
SITTING SHOHEI
Ohtani was held out of the starting lineup for the ninth time in 151 games this season. It was the first time since Sept. 4.
“We like to think he’s Superman and can do it every day and all that, but he’s human,” Angels interim manager Phil Nevin said. “We’ve got to give him days of rest once in a while. I like to do that either the day before or after he pitches.”
Nevin said other factors were the lefty-lefty matchup against Perez and getting Trout off the artificial turf for a day.
UP NEXT
Angels: Ohtani (13-8, 2.43 ERA) pitches on Friday against Minnesota. He is 3-0 in his last four starts with a 0.67 ERA and 29 strikeouts.
Rangers: RHP Jon Gray (7-7, 3.80 ERA) will oppose Cleveland RHP Cody Morris (0-2, 2.30 ERA) in the opener of a three-game home series on Friday night.
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