Published on September 28, 2023
ANAHEIM, Calif. – Dane Dunning’s stellar seven-inning performance led the Texas Rangers to a convincing 5-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night. Dunning, backed by a display of power hitting, helped the Rangers secure their seventh win in eight games.
Dunning (12-6) was in complete control, striking out seven while allowing just three hits and a single walk. His masterful outing marked a career-long scoreless streak, and he has now won three of his past four starts.
With this win, the Rangers (89-69) inched closer to clinching the American League West, maintaining a 2 1/2-game lead over the Houston Astros (87-72) and a four-game advantage over the Seattle Mariners (85-73), who fell to the Astros later in the evening.
On the other side, the struggling Angels (71-88) suffered their 11th loss in 14 games.
Rangers’ starter Griffin Canning (7-8) did his best to keep the Angels in the game, allowing just two runs and five hits over six innings. He recorded five strikeouts and issued two walks, but the Angels’ offense couldn’t provide any support.
The Angels’ top four hitters – Randal Grichuk, Zach Neto, Brandon Drury, and Mike Moustakas – were all held hitless, contributing to the team’s offensive struggles. In total, the Angels managed just three hits throughout the contest.
Texas’ batting leader, Corey Seager (.333), shook off a recent injury scare, going 2-for-5 at the plate. Seager had been struck in the right forearm by a pitch from the Angels’ Reid Detmers a day earlier.
The Rangers’ offensive surge began in the opening inning when Marcus Semien led off with a single, setting the tone for the evening. Adolis Garcia’s RBI double to left field soon followed, giving Texas an early lead.
In the third inning, Garcia engaged in an impressive 10-pitch showdown with Canning, ultimately crushing a full-count fastball over the center field fence for his career-high 38th home run of the season.
The ninth inning sealed the victory for Texas. Jonah Heim led off with a single, setting the stage for Evan Carter, who blasted a 2-2 changeup over the right-field fence for his fifth homer since his promotion to the majors. Marcus Semien then capped the offensive fireworks with his 29th homer of the season, elevating his RBI tally to 99.
Aroldis Chapman pitched a flawless eighth inning for Texas, and Jose Leclerc sealed the victory with a hitless ninth inning.
The Rangers’ strong pitching and power hitting proved to be a potent combination, helping them secure a convincing win over the Angels.
