Rangers Blank Angels in Series Opener

Photo by Cooper Neill/MLB Photos via Getty Images

April 15, 2025

Rangers 4, Angels 0

ARLINGTON, Texas (Apr 15) — The Texas Rangers were able to sneak back into the win column as they beat the Los Angeles Angels, 4–0, on Jackie Robinson Day. Kyle Higashioka came through with a big RBI double in the seventh, creating some distance between the Rangers and their recent dismal 1–5 road trip. They’ll try for the series victory on Wednesday, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm Central at Globe Life Field. Right-hander Jose Soriano (2–1, 2.70 ERA) will take the hill for the Halos, while lefty Patrick Corbin (0–0, 6.75 ERA) will get the ball for the Rangers.

Scoreless for Half

Both Teams traded zeroes for the first five and a half innings. In the bottom of the sixth with Yusei Kikuchi on the mound for the Angels, Leody Taveras singled on a soft bunt back to Kikuchi. He was a little slow getting to the ball, enabling Taveras to reach first.

With Marcus Semien at the plate, Taveras stole second for his sixth swipe of the year. He raced for third on a throwing error by Angels catcher Travis d’Arnaud. Taveras scored moments later on a sacrifice fly to left by Semien.

The Rangers stretched their lead to 2—0 in the bottom of the seventh off Angels reliever Reid Detmers. After Kevin Pillar led off by grounding to short, Jonah Heim reached on a double to left. In stepped Kyle Higashioka, who hit a sharp double to left, allowing Heim to cross the plate.

They had more good fortune in the bottom of the eighth against reliever Ryan Johnson. Semien led off by flying to short, bringing up Corey Seager. He doubled up the middle, bringing up Josh Jung on his bobblehead night. Seager scored on a single to center to make it 3–0 Rangers.

Two batters later, Pillar drove in Jung with an infield single and a throwing error by third baseman Luis Rengifo.

What Went Right for the Rangers

The Rangers had a lot of little things go their way on Tuesday. They found several ways to get on base, whether it was with a hit or an error. They also came up with some late-inning offense to pad their lead. On top of that, their pitching staff allowed no runs, completely shutting the door on the Angels. It was a much-needed win for the Rangers given their aforementioned road trip.

What Went Wrong for the Rangers

The Rangers improved to 10–7 on Tuesday, but there are always things you can work on. Scoring earlier in games is one of them. The Rangers have made a habit of scoring in the late innings, putting everyone in the ballpark on pins and needles for most of the evening. The season is young, and both the players and fans would like to see the team put pressure on their opponents earlier in each game.

Good Golly, Mr. Mahle

Rangers starter Tyler Mahle recorded a season-high nine strikeouts across six scoreless innings, earning the win to give him a 3–0 record with an ERA of 0.92. His final line was 3 H, 2 BB, 93 pitches/61 strikes. It was his highest single-game strikeout total since June 14, 2022 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, in which he fanned 12 in a complete game shutout as a member of the Cincinnati Reds. Mahle lowered his ERA to 0.92 on the year, which leads qualified pitchers in ERA at the conclusion of Tuesday’s game.

Tuesday marked the second time he’s won three-or-more consecutive starts in his career. Mahle fanned Mike Trout to end the top of the first for his 700th career strikeout, becoming the 88th active pitcher to achieve the feat. He has allowed eight hits through his first four starts of 2025, the lowest total by a Rangers pitcher through his first four starts of a season in franchise history and the lowest by any pitcher since Jakob Junis in 2024 with the Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers.

Kikuchi’s Evening

Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi shouldered his staff-leading third loss of the season, despite notching his team-high third quality start. His line was 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R-ER, 2 BB, 6 SO, 79 pitches/51 strikes. Kikuchi has pitched at least six innings in each of his three starts this season, and in nine straight starts dating back to August 31, 2024 – the longest active streak in baseball.

His four consecutive starts of six or more innings this season is the longest such streak by an Angels pitcher since Dylan Bundy from July 25-August 11, 2020. Kikuchi falls to 0–3 with a 4.13 ERA in four starts this season, all of which have come on the road. He now owns a 1-1 record with a 3.38 ERA in three career appearances at Globe Life Field.

Postgame Comments

After the game, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy discussed the differences between Tuesday and their recent road trip. “We did some little things well”, he said. “You look at Leo (Leody Taveras), and his great bunt. He stole second, and got to third and Marcus (Semien) gets him in. Things like that started clicking, and it was fun to watch. Hopefully we can carry those things into tomorrow’s game.”