4-run 8th caps Rangers' come-from-behind win

ARLINGTON -- It hasn't been an easy season for the Rangers. But Thursday night's 8-6 win over the Angels should give the team a reason to be happy.
Texas rallied from an early five-run deficit to win with a four-run rally in the eighth inning. With veteran Adrián Beltré battling a left hamstring injury, it was the team's young players that led the way.
"I think this game is indicative of this group of players," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "They never hang their heads. They're never out of a game. They're going to continue to come after you."

With runners on first and second and no outs in the eighth, Joey Gallo doubled in a run to cut the Rangers' deficit to 6-5. After a walk loaded the bases, Angels reliever Justin Anderson found his control and struck out Ronald Guzmán and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. However, Shin-Soo Choo drew a walk on five pitches, plating the tying run.

Rougned Odor then drove in the go-ahead run in the next at-bat, legging out an infield single on a play in which he was originally called out. A replay review overturned the call and gave the Rangers a 7-6 lead.
Jurickson Profar, Beltre's replacement at third base, was a big reason why the Rangers were in position to rally. He had two hits, including a home run, and scored a pair of runs.

But Profar's biggest impact came on defense. With the Rangers down 6-3 in the fourth, the Angels had the bases loaded and David Fletcher at the plate with no outs. Fletcher hit a ground ball to Profar, who stepped on third, tagged Taylor Ward, who was leaning off of third base, and threw to Odor at second for a forceout to complete a historic triple play.
• This Rangers triple play was so weird that nobody even knew if it really happened
"I think that was the play that changed the game, because after that, we started coming back, and turned around the score," Rangers starter Ariel Jurado said. "It gave us a chance to win."

Jurado allowed six runs in six innings, but none after the second. He allowed five straight singles to open the game, leading to a five-run inning, and then gave up a leadoff homer to Kole Calhoun in the second.
"He really didn't have the feel [of his sinker] in the first," Banister said. "We wanted to give him an opportunity to go back out and see if he could regain the feel for it. He did give up the home run to Calhoun on a ball that seemed elevated, but he did continue to get better as the game progressed."

Matt Moore earned the win with two scoreless innings. It was Moore's second straight relief appearance in which he did not allow a run after he posted a 6.38 ERA in his 11 previous games since being moved to the bullpen in mid-June.
"His stuff was sharp," Banister said. "His fastball was sharp. His curveball was sharp. He did a great job."
José Leclerc earned the save, working around a leadoff double for a scoreless ninth.

SOUND SMART
According to STATS, the Rangers' triple play was the first in 106 years in which the batter was not retired. The last time that happened was June 3, 1912, when the Brooklyn Dodgers did it against the Reds.
YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
Rangers right fielder Nomar Mazara was activated from the disabled list before the game, and he quickly made an impact. After the Angels scored five runs in the top of the first, Mazara helped trim the early deficit with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning in his first at-bat off the DL. It was his first home run since June 29. More >

MITEL REPLAY OF THE DAY
The Rangers issued a challenge at a critical juncture in the game, and it helped them complete their comeback. With two runs having already scored to tie the game, Odor came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth. The Texas second baseman hit a grounder up the middle, but was called out at first. However, after the replay review, the call was overturned and the go-ahead run scored on the play.

UP NEXT
The Rangers take on the Angels in the second game of the series on Friday at 7:05 p.m. CT at Globe Life Park. Mike Minor was scratched with back stiffness, so Drew Hutchison (1-2 , 6.07 ERA) will get the start for Texas. Hutchison will be making his third start since being acquired from the Phillies. The right-hander went 0-1 with a 9.72 ERA in his first two starts for the Rangers. Hutchison will oppose Odrisamer Despaigne (2-0, 5.31), who is making his Angels debut after being acquired from the Marlins.