Ohtani’s 2nd HR Leads Off 12th as Angels Rally for 9–6 Win at Rangers

Shohei Ohtani (17) of the Los Angeles Angels reacts after hitting a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers in the 12th inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on June 12, 2023. (Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

ARLINGTON, Texas—Shohei Ohtani homered on the first pitch of the 12th inning, going deep for the second time in the game as the Los Angels Angels beat the AL West-leading Texas Rangers 9–6 on Monday night, June 12.

Los Angeles was down 5–1 after three innings, but Ohtani’s solo homer in the seventh inning extended his hitting streak to nine games and tied it at 5–5.

The two-run shot in the 12th off Cole Ragans (2–3), the fifth Texas pitcher, was Ohtani’s 20th homer of the season. The opposite-field shot to left provided the 10th career multihomer game for the two-way star, who was the designated hitter in the series opener and is scheduled to pitch in the finale Thursday night.

Chad Wallach also hit a two-run homer in the 12th off Ragans.

Ohtani finished with four RBIs, pushing his season total to 50. He also had a sacrifice fly in the Angels’ three-run fifth, when the other runs came in on a throwing error and a wild pitch.

Rookie right-hander Sam Bachman (1–0) worked two scoreless innings for his first big league victory. Aaron Loup worked the bottom of the 12th, allowing an unearned run.

Ezequiel Duran hit a three-run homer in the second inning for the Rangers (41–24), who have lost three of four. They were coming off their first series loss in nearly a month, dropping two of three at Tampa Bay in a matchup of the teams with the two best records in baseball.

Mike Trout had an RBI single in the Angels third, but the Rangers stretched their lead to 5–1 in the bottom of that inning on an RBI single by Josh Jung before he scored on Mitch Garver’s double.

Mike Trout (L) (27) of the Los Angeles Angels congratulates Shohei Ohtani (17) of the Los Angeles Angels after his home run in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on June 12, 2023. (Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

The Angels, who have won six of their last seven games, needed a pair of standout of defensive plays to get out of the 10th inning.

Runners were at second and third with their infield playing in when second baseman Luis Rengifo fielded Leody Taveras’ short-hopper and threw home to get out Josh Smith. There was then hard grounder to the right of shortstop Zach Neto, who initially dropped it before recovering with a strong throw to retire Marcus Semien at first for the third out.

Will Smith, the fourth Rangers pitcher and their usual closer, retired all six batters he faced in his two innings. That included striking out Ohtani on four pitches and getting Trout on a routine flyball to start the ninth.

For Starters

Angels lefty Tyler Anderson matched his season high with seven strikeouts, but allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks while throwing 105 pitches over six innings. ... Dane Dunning, in his seventh start in the rotation spot of injured ace Jacob deGrom, struck out three and matched a career high with five walks in five innings.

Neto in the Net

Angels SS Zach Neto made a spectacular leaping catch in foul territory to start the Texas sixth. He ran a long way to catch Garver’s foul pop, and held on as he went into the railing and netting protecting a field-level seating area beyond the visiting dugout.

Trainer’s Room

Angels: INF Gio Urshela was out of the start lineup for the third time in four games because of back soreness, but entered the game in the 10th inning.

Rangers: RHP Jon Gray, who is coming off a complete-game 100-pitch loss last Wednesday, will miss his scheduled start Tuesday while dealing with a blister. Gray is 5–1 with a 0.84 ERA in his last six starts. ... DeGrom had reconstructive surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow Monday. The typical recovery time after the operation, commonly known as Tommy John surgery, is at least 12–14 months.

Up Next

Angels right-hander Jaime Barria (2–2, 1.85 ERA) has allowed only four earned runs over 35 1/3 innings (1.02 ERA) since April 8. His 15th appearance of the season Tuesday night will be only his fourth start. The Rangers didn’t immediately announce who will pitch in Gray’s spot.

By Stephen Hawkins