Andrew Heaney ended an eight-start winless streak as the Texas Rangers built an early five-run lead and secured a 7-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.
Heaney (5-13), who had been near the top of the major league leaderboard for losses, allowed four runs—three of which were earned—on three hits over six-plus innings. This win marked his first since July 21. He was supported by home runs from Marcus Semien, Nathaniel Lowe, and Ezequiel Duran.
This game provided Heaney with much-needed run support, a rarity for him this season. Prior to Sunday, the 33-year-old left-hander had received two runs or fewer in support during seven of his previous starts and in 18 of his 27 starts this season. His average run support of 3.55 runs per start was the fourth lowest in the American League.
Kirby Yates secured his 29th save in 30 opportunities after David Robertson left runners on the corners in the eighth inning with a one-run lead.
The Rangers won three of four games against the Angels, matching their season-best streak of winning four consecutive series, which had previously occurred from April 26 to May 8.
The Texas offense chased 20-year-old right-hander Caden Dana (1-1) from the game just 11 batters into his second major league start. Dana, who was called up from Double-A Rocket City on August 30, surrendered five runs on seven hits, including three home runs, and was removed with the bases loaded and no outs in the second inning.
Ryan Zeferjahn came in after Dana and managed to shut down the Rangers, striking out Wyatt Langford and inducing a double play from Adolis García.
Heaney retired the Angels’ first nine batters before Taylor Ward walked to lead off the fourth inning. Zach Neto followed with a double down the left-field line, and Charles Leblanc, recently recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on September 1, hit a 3-2 slider down the left-field line for his first home run with the Angels.
The Angels closed the gap to 5-4 in the seventh inning when Michael Stefanic’s sacrifice fly off José Leclerc brought in Matt Thaiss. Thaiss had reached base on a high fly ball down the left-field line that was initially ruled foul after being dropped by Langford but was later successfully challenged as fair, granting Thaiss second base.
Texas added two unearned runs in the eighth inning on a two-out single by Travis Jankowski that Jordyn Adams misplayed, allowing the ball to get past him in right field.