Rangers, Allard Bitten By Ohtani Homer In Third Straight Loss

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Rangers
By Chris Halicke | Last updated 9/4/21

The 2021 season is winding down, and it is looking more and more like the first 100-loss season for the Texas Rangers since 1973.

The Rangers dropped their third straight game on Saturday night to the Los Angeles Angels by a score of 4-1. The Texas lineup was thwarted by Angels starter José Suarez, who pitched a complete game for the Halos.

The only run of the game for the Rangers came on an RBI groundout by Adolis García in the ninth inning. Even the Rangers' hottest hitter, Nick Solak, saw his 11-game hit streak come to an end, as he went 0-for-3 with two ground outs and a pop out. Leody Taveras continued to hit out of his slump, registering two of the Rangers' five hits.

Rangers starter Kolby Allard matched Suarez blow for blow early on, as both pitchers made quick work of their opposing lineups in the first couple of innings. The first hit of the game belonged to Angels outfielder Juan Lagares, who took Allard deep with one out in the third inning to break the scoreless tie.

The solo homer was the only blip on the radar through the first five innings with the exception of just a few scattered hits between both sides. However, Shohei Ohtani — as he's done so many times for the Angels this season — changed the game with one swing.

After Allard walked Luis Rengifo and David Fletcher reached on a crucial error by Charlie Culberson to lead off the sixth inning, Ohtani parked a no-doubter into the right field seats for a three-run homer.

What adds to the legend of Ohtani is his remarkable two-way ability. Just one night prior, Ohtani threw a career-high 117 pitches in the Angels 3-2 defeat of the Rangers. On Saturday, he went 2-for-4 with his 43rd home run of the season, which leads all of Major League Baseball and is just four shy of the Angels' all-time single season home runs record of 47, set by Troy Glaus in 2000.

All in all, Allard was solid for the Rangers for 5 2/3 innings, despite the three-run homer to Ohtani. He was effective and efficient through the first five innings, but saw his line ruined by the Angels two-way superstar in the sixth. Demarcus Evans and Spencer Patton followed with two solid performances out of the bullpen, shutting out the Angels for the remaining 2 1/3 innings of the ballgame.

What's Next

The Rangers (47-88) and Angels (68-68) play the third game of their four-game series on Sunday afternoon in Anaheim. Taylor Hearn (4-4, 3.96 ERA) will look to continue his fine form for Texas, while the Angels call up Janson Junk (0-0, -.-- ERA) to make his MLB debut.