Angels at Rangers (2nd game)
The Los Angeles Angels got off to a good start as they returned to Arlington for the first time since the untimely death of Tyler Skaggs, but the contest spiraled downward and ended in disappointment. The Angels will have two chances to redeem themselves on Tuesday as they visit the Texas Rangers for a day-night doubleheader.
Los Angeles had the opener of its series at Texas in early July pushed back a day after Skaggs was found unresponsive in his hotel room and pronounced dead at 27. The team sprinted out of the gate in its first return to Arlington since the tragedy, scoring five runs in the first inning en route to a 7-1 lead, but fell apart and dropped an 8-7 decision in 11 innings. Albert Pujols belted a three-run homer in the loss and registered his third two-hit performance in four contests as the Angels lost for just the second time in six games. Jose Trevino went deep while Hunter Pence registered his second straight three-hit performance and drove in a run as the Rangers halted their four-game slide.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Andrew Heaney (2-3, 4.76 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Joe Palumbo (0-1, 11.00)
Heaney ended his four-start winless streak on Thursday as he allowed three runs and four hits in a season-high seven innings against the Chicago White Sox. The 28-year-old Oklahoman gave up fewer than three runs in each of his previous three outings but lasted five frames just once in that span. Heaney is 1-3 with a 6.21 ERA in eight career starts against Texas, including a no-decision on May 26 in which he permitted two hits - both solo homers - over five innings in his season debut.
Palumbo is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Nashville to make his third start and fourth appearance of the season. The 24-year-old New Yorker worked three scoreless innings of relief at Minnesota on July 7 after beginning his major-league career the previous month with a pair of ineffective starts at home. Palumbo also has pitched for the Sounds and Double-A Frisco this year, posting a 3-0 record and 3.01 ERA in 17 combined games (16 starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rangers could be without a pair of regulars on Tuesday as OF Nomar Mazara (oblique) and 3B Danny Santana (hamstring) both exited the series opener with injuries.
2. Los Angeles OF Justin Upton drove in two runs on Monday, giving him 14 RBIs in his last nine games.
3. Texas on Monday placed RHP Adrian Sampson (back) on the 10-day injured list, designated David Carpenter for assignment and recalled fellow RHP Phillips Valdez and OF Scott Heineman from Nashville.