Rangers Win Slugfest Versus Angels

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The Texas Rangers evened the 4-games series with the Los Angeles Angels with a 15-9 victory on Thursday at the Ballpark in Arlington.

Every one of the Rangers starters got a hit in the game, including newly signed Mike Olt, who started his first game at first base.  Olt singled in his first major league at-bat off Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson.

Seven Rangers had extra-base hits in the game.   Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz each hit home runs, both off Wilson.

Ryan Dempster made his Rangers debut, allowing 8 runs in 4 2/3 innings.  Roy Oswalt, in his first relief appearance of the year, gets the credit for the win.

After losing the first two games of the series, the Rangers offense got on track to compile 35 hits in the last 2 games.  Texas manager Ron Washington says it is no surprise, “I don’t want you guys to forget it, but we’re the two-time defending American League champs.  They came up in here and took two games and we fought back like champs. They’re not going away. We’re not going away.”  The Rangers hold a 5-game lead over the Angels in the AL West.

Texas travels to Kansas City for a series against the Royals tonight.  Matt Harrison will be on the mound for the Rangers.