Max Scherzer Silences Angels as Rangers Roll

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Aug. 14, 2023. Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports via Field Level Media

Max Scherzer allowed one hit over seven shutout innings for the Texas Rangers in a 12–0 win against the visiting Los Angeles Angels in the opener of their three-game series on Monday night, August 14.

Scherzer (12–4) struck out 11 and walked one as the 39-year-old right-hander improved to 3–0 with a 1.80 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 20 innings in three starts since he was traded from the New York Mets on July 30.

Marcus Semien hit a three-run homer and drove in five runs for the Rangers, who have won 11 of 13. Adolis Garcia added a two-run homer and J.P. Martinez had two hits and scored three runs for Texas.

Angels starter Patrick Sandoval came in with a 2-1 mark and 1.86 ERA over his previous five starts, but struggled against the Rangers.

Sandoval (6–9) gave up five runs (four earned) and four hits in 2 2/3 innings. He walked six and struck out six.

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval, left, walks off the field while talking to catcher Matt Thaiss, right, as the two worked against the Texas Rangers in the first inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, on Aug. 14, 2023. Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo

The Angels are 3–10 in August after entering the month with the best record in the AL since the All-Star break (11–5).

Semien had an RBI single in the second inning and another run came home on an error by center fielder Mickey Moniak on the play to give Texas a 2–0 lead.

A bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Martinez in the third extended the lead to 3–0.

The Rangers reloaded the bases with two outs after Sandoval failed to cover first on a grounder to the right side. He then walked his sixth batter of the game to force in another run and give Texas a 4–0 lead.

Griffin Canning entered and threw a wild pitch for a 5–0 lead. He then gave up leadoff doubles in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

The Rangers capitalized in the sixth when Corey Seager came home on a two-out double by Mitch Garver to make it 6–0. Semien blasted his three-run homer in the seventh to make it 9–0.

Garcia hit a two-run homer later in the seventh to make it 11–0.

The Angels put infielder Eduardo Escobar on the mound for the eighth and the Rangers tacked on another run on a double by Leody Taveras for a 12–0 lead.

The Angels had runners on first and second with one out in the second against Scherzer, but Matt Thaiss lined into an inning-ending double play.

Scherzer then retired the next 15 batters in a row, striking out the side in the sixth and the final two batters of the seventh.