Rangers Falter Against Angels in Series Opener

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

August 25, 2025

Angels 4, Rangers 0

ARLINGTON, Texas (Aug 25) — The Texas Rangers dropped their series opener against the Los Angeles Angels, 4–0, Monday night. Zach Neto and Logan O’Hoppe both homered, adding to the width of the Angels’ wingspan over the home nine. The Rangers will aim to even this three-game Series on Tuesday with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm Central at Globe Life Field. Southpaw Yusei Kikuchi (6–8, 3.42 ERA) will get the ball for the Angels, while fellow lefty Patrick Corbin (6–9, 4.61 ERA) will take the mound for the Rangers.

Ward Scores Two

The Angels broke the ice right away in the top of the first against right-hander Jacob deGrom. On the first pitch of the game, Neto parked one to left-center to give the Angels an immediate 1–0 lead, his 22nd of the year.

They scored again in the top of the fourth. With one out in the inning, deGrom issued a walk to Taylor Ward. After Jo Adell struck out swinging, Luis Rengifo moved Ward to second with a single to left. Travis d’Arnaud plated Ward moments later with a single to center. Rengifo moved to third and Ward moved to second on Wyatt Langford‘s throw to the plate from center.

In a flash of deja vu, the Angels scored their third run of the inning in the top of the sixth off reliever Luis Curvelo. Ward drew his second walk of the game. Three batters later, d’Arnaud drove him in, this time with a double to right.

The Angels scored once more in the top of the ninth off reliever Jacob Webb. On an 0–1 pitch, O’Hoppe belted one to deep center for his 19th home run of the season.

What Went Right for the Angels

When half of your runs on the evening come from home runs, you’re doing something right. This was the case for the Angels on Monday. Neto and O’Hoppe both flexed their muscles in helping the Angels nail down the series opener. Ward also came up big with his two runs scored. It’s always a nice surprise when there is a mix of power and average in your lineup.

What Went Wrong for the Angels

The one thing the Angels could have improved on was their 1-for-4 clip with runners in scoring position. They left six men on base. They scored two runs off deGrom, but it could have been more.

Sixth Loss for deGrom

Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom shouldered his fourth loss in his last five outings despite allowing two runs in five innings. This brings his record to 10–6 with an ERA of 2.79. The rest of his line was 3 H, 2 BB, 7 SO, 1 HR, 90 pitches/56 strikes. Monday marked his team-high 25th start of the year, first since August 15 against the Toronto Blue Jays. He skipped one turn in the rotation with right shoulder fatigue.

Soriano’s Evening

Angels starter Jose Soriano earned the win Monday, posting 5 2/3 scoreless frames. His final line was 5 2/3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 SO, 91 pitches/56 strikes. This game marked his fourth start against the Rangers this season, now owning a 1–3 record and 3.63 ERA against them in ‘25. Soriano faced the minimum through four innings for the third time in his career, first since June 12, 2024 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. His overall record sits at 9–9 with an ERA of 3.85.

Soriano induced a pair of ground-ball double plays in back-to-back innings, this after entering play Monday leading major league hurlers with 27 double plays turned behind him this season. He remained in the game after taking a 101-mph comebacker from Jonah Heim off his right leg in the sixth inning. With two outs in the sixth and runners on first and second, he departed in favor of Reid Detmers, who whiffed Corey Seager to end the threat.

Bochy’s Postgame Comments

After the game, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy commented on how the team would handle deGrom’s workload for the rest of the season. “He’ll keep making starts until we think he needs a break,” he said. He feels good. Again, the stuff was really good. He’s healthy, he feels good, as long as that’s the case, yeah, he’s gonna be out there.”