ARLINGTON, Texas — After a brilliant seven-game span from the Angels’ starting rotation, the story changed quickly with a new week.
Noah Syndergaard failed to make it out of the first inning for the first time in 126 career starts, allowing six runs in the Angels’ 7-4 loss to the Texas Rangers on Monday night.
Syndergaard allowed two more runs than Angels’ starters did in seven games last week, when they combined for an 0.81 ERA. It was the fifth time in Syndergaard’s career that he’d allowed six or more runs. Only four of the runs were earned.
“When it rains, it pours,” Syndergaard said. “It’s simple. I didn’t get the job done. I really sucked it up out there. Kind of like Murphy’s Law. Anything bad that could happen did happen. I’ve got to have a short-term memory but also learn from mistakes. Learn from this and make sure that never happens again. It just feels bad when I let the guys down.”
The Angels still had a chance to win because they’d staked Syndergaard to a three-run lead in the top of the first. The bullpen then held the Rangers within striking distance. Jaime Barria did most of the heavy lifting with 4-1/3 scoreless innings.
The Angels left two runners on base in the fourth and sixth innings. They had the makings of a rally in the seventh when Taylor Ward led off with an infield single, but Mike Trout then hit into a double play – nicely turned by shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Marcus Semien – and Shohei Ohtani struck out.
It was one of four balls that Trout hit at least 100 mph, and he had just one single to show for it. Rangers center fielder Adolis Garcia also made two diving catches to rob Anthony Rendon and Taylor Ward of hits. Andrew Velazquez hit a line drive down the right field line with two on and two outs in the sixth, but Kole Calhoun tracked it down to end the inning.
“We hit some balls well with runners in scoring position in big moments and they made the plays,” Manager Joe Maddon said.
The Angels also managed two runs when a blooper by Brandon Marsh fell in left field in the first inning, which staked them to a 3-0 lead.
That disappeared quickly, though.
Syndergaard gave up a leadoff single and then he lost an 11-pitch duel with Semien, who walked. Seager then ripped a single into right, driving in the first run of the game. Garcia followed with a double. A third run scored on a sacrifice fly.
Jonah Heim then hit a bouncer that first baseman Jared Walsh couldn’t handle. It was the Angels’ first error in six games. Syndergaard struck out Nathaniel Lowe, but then he gave up a single to Sam Huff and he walked Brad Miller, ending his night.
“He just didn’t have his better stuff,” Maddon said. “From the first hitter on it was difficult.”
Syndergaard said it was complicated by the fact that the Rangers continued to run on him. They stole two bases and sent runners numerous other times. Holding runners has been an issue throughout his career, and the Rangers seemed intent on pressuring him.
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“It certainly doesn’t make things easier when you don’t feel very confident in your delivery,” Syndergaard said. “It’s just something I’ve got to continue to work on. There’s no excuses.”
There were four runs on the board when Syndergaard was pulled and two more scored on Eli White’s single against Barria.
After that, Barria was nearly perfect.
The success of the Angels’ rotation has left Barria – their long reliever – sitting unused most nights. He had pitched just five times in the Angels’ first 37 games. He’s been effective when they’ve called on him, though, posting a 1.50 ERA in 18 innings.
“Just one of those nights,” Maddon said. “We didn’t pitch the way we had been pitching. We swung the bats really good. It’s just one of those things.”