(April 15, 2008)--Gary Matthews Jr. snapped out of a slump with a tiebreaking, three-run double, and the Los Angeles Angels rallied to beat Texas 7-4 on Tuesday as the Rangers ended their first homestand of the season with their fifth straight loss.
Matthews was in a 3-for-27 slide before his double to left-center in the sixth inning off Josh Rupe (0-1) broke a 4-all tie.
Rupe took over to start the sixth for Kevin Millwood, who left after 70 pitches due to a bruised left shin sustained when he was hit by a batted ball in the second. The Rangers said Millwood came out because his leg started to stiffen up on him. The problem didn't appear to be serious.
Rupe walked two batters and allowed a single, with a sacrifice bunt in between, before Matthews cleared the bases.
Darren Oliver (1-0), like Matthews a former Ranger, threw 2 2-3 scoreless innings in relief of starter Dustin Moseley. Francisco Rodriguez worked the ninth, overcoming two walks for his fifth save in six chances.
There was no indication that Millwood was hurt after a ball hit by Maicer Izturis ricocheted off the pitcher's left leg and rolled to first base, where Ben Broussard picked it up and tagged the bag for an easy out. Millwood was even smiling when manager Ron Washington came out to check on him.
Millwood was also hit on the throwing hand by a batted ball, when he reached up attempting to grab a ball in the fourth that turned into a groundout. That play came between a single by Garrett Anderson and Casey Kotchman's two-run homer.
Millwood then snagged another comebacker by Izturis for an out before allowing three straight singles, the last by Chone Figgins driving in a run. Vladimir Guerrero and Anderson had consecutive doubles in the fifth to tie the game at 4.
The Rangers finished their first homestand 2-6, sweeping a doubleheader from Baltimore for their only victories. They were swept in a three-game set by Toronto and lost both games in the short set against the Angels, who dropped two of three to Texas in their first homestand.
Josh Hamilton drew a two-out walk in the first and scored on Milton Bradley's double. Bradley went 2-for-5, extending his hitting streak to 10 games, and hit .444 (12-for-27) in his first homestand with the Rangers.
After a single by David Murphy and two walks in the second, Ian Kinsler had a sacrifice fly and Michael Young an RBI single to make it 3-0. Bradley had a leadoff single it the third and scored on Murphy's sac fly for a 4-0 lead.
Every player and coach for both teams wore No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. ... Anderson has 147 career RBIs vs. Texas. The only Rangers opponent with more is George Brett (155). ... Young made a backhand stab of Guerrero's hard short-hopper to start an inning-ending double play in the third, right after Young was charged with an error for failing to cover second on a stolen base that let catcher Adam Melhuse's throw into center field. ... Washington is still being cautious with Bradley, who had knee surgery in September. Bradley will play only one of two games on the artificial turf in Toronto, and that will be as the DH.
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