Angels at Rangers
The Los Angeles Angels welcomed franchise player Mike Trout back to the lineup for the series opener, but his return wasn't enough to propel them to victory. The Angels attempt to even the three-game set when they visit the Texas Rangers on Tuesday.
Trout returned on Monday from a strained groin that sidelined him for three games and the superstar went 0-for-2 as the designated hitter but drew three walks and scored twice in Los Angeles' 12-7 loss. Kole Calhoun and Brian Goodwin combined to go 4-for-8 with two homers and five RBIs for the Angels, who held a 3-0 lead after one inning but went on to suffer just their second defeat in nine contests. Shin-Soo Choo and Joey Gallo both went deep during their three-hit performances for the Rangers, who have won three of their last four games. Eight of the nine players in Texas' lineup recorded at least one hit and one run scored, while seven notched at least one RBI.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jaime Barria (1-0, 3.38 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Mike Minor (1-1, 3.86)
Barria gets the call a day after being summoned from the minors for the second time in less than a week. The 22-year-old Panamanian was promoted on Wednesday and picked up a victory after allowing one run and four hits over 2 2/3 innings against Milwaukee but was returned to Triple-A the following day. Barria made five starts versus the Rangers as a rookie last season and fared well, going 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA.
Minor has bounced back nicely from a rough season debut, allowing two runs and 10 hits over 14 innings in his last two starts. Both of the runs and half of the hits were yielded in Arizona last Tuesday, when the 31-year-old Tennessean settled for a no-decision after working seven frames. Minor has yet to lose to the Angels in his career as he is 2-0 with a 3.63 ERA in three starts and two relief appearances.
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels DH Shohei Ohtani (elbow) was cleared on Monday to begin facing live pitching in approximately one week.
2. Gallo, who missed Sunday's game with an inner ear infection, homered in the third inning of the series opener to end an 0-for-16 drought.
3. Los Angeles recalled Barria and fellow RHP John Curtiss from Triple-A Salt Lake after placing LHP Tyler Skaggs (ankle) on the 10-day injured list and optioning 3B Taylor Ward to the Bees.