The Texas Rangers repeatedly tried to hand Sunday's baseball game to the Angels. The Halos declined like a champion dieter turning down free donuts.
Mike Trout broke out of an 0 for 18 slump with a base hit only to be picked off first base. When he walked to lead off the eighth inning he was decoyed at 2B on a booming Albert Pujols double and only made it to 3B. Gary DiSarcina declined to send him home even though the LF was lobbing the ball back. Walking the next batter led to three straight outs with the bases loaded - the Halos were 0 for 5 with the bases juiced in this game and they blew plenty of other opportunities.
A gassed bullpen evidenced what might quickly become a dire situation with a strong Oakland club tied with them, a hot Seattle Mariners club behind them and four games in Fenway Park with a Red Sox team that is doing much better in August than the Anaheim nine. Kevin Jepsen got two quick outs on balls that were bashed into gloves - it could have easily been back to back doubles there. Then David Freese throws the ball away on an easy grounder and that is the runner that scores. It just wasn't meant to be. Joe Smith labored in a scoreless eighth and Huston Street obviously needed a day off.
It was just another Halos tragedy. The A's play later tonight - win and they are a game up on the Halos.