Angels Drop in Extra Innings as Lazy Play Proves Costly

Final score after 12 innings: Angels 1, Rangers 2

The Angels lose this one on a passed ball by Jeff Mathis in the top of the 12th inning allowing the second unearned run to score. The method of the loss typified the entire game as the first Ranger run was allowed on a Kevin Frandsen throwing error in the third inning, while the Angels had a chance to take the lead in the 7th except Torii Hunter forgot he was supposed to run hard after hitting the ball. With runners on first and third with one out, Hunter hit a routine double play grounder to the Ranger shortstop Andres Blanco who flipped the ball to second for the first out. Howie Kendrick barreled into Ian Kinsler at second causing Kinsler to have trouble making the throw to first. Had Hunter been running hard, he would have been safe at first with Reggie Willits scoring the go-ahead run from third. However, Hunter took his time getting down the line and was an easy out to end the inning.

The Halos waste another stellar Dan Haren start, one in which he allowed no earned runs on 3 hits in seven innings. Four Angel relievers followed Haren with 4 innings of no-hit ball, at one point retiring 16 straight Ranger batters. That all went to waste as Matt Palmer gave up a lead-off double to Jeff Francouer who would eventually score the go-ahead run on Mathis' passed ball.