ARLINGTON, Texas -- JC Ramirez intrigued the Los Angeles Angels as a possible starter if the need ever arose.
It's more than intrigue now.
Ramirez got his first win as a starter on the right-hander's fourth try after 111 career relief appearances, and Jefry Marte homered and hit a tiebreaking, two-run single to help the Angels beat the Texas Rangers 5-2 on Sunday.
The 28-year-old Ramirez (3-2) matched his career high from two starts earlier with nine strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. He has been filling in for Garrett Richards, who hasn't pitched since leaving his first start with a right biceps strain.
"We knew he had definitely a terrific live fastball, he's got a good slider, he's got the curveball," manager Mike Scioscia said. "With that three-pitch mix, we thought that we would look at him to see if he was viable. There was a need, and he's getting his chance."
Ramirez threw seven scoreless innings in his previous start but got a no-decision. He had been a reliever for Philadelphia, Arizona, Seattle and Cincinnati in a span of four seasons when he joined the Angels on a waiver claim last June. Two of his six career wins in relief came this season.
Ramirez, who gave up four hits and two runs, struck out six of the last eight batters he faced, leaving after hitting Carlos Gomez with a pitch. Shin-Soo Choo had a solo homer during that stretch.
"I want to throw a lot of innings every time I go out there," Ramirez said. "Right now, my mind is not like, I want to get 20 wins. I don't want to get 10 wins. It's just, try to gain."
Bud Norris struck out four of the five batters he faced for his fifth save, including Rougned Odor with two on to end the eighth. The Rangers struck out a season-high 15 times.
Marte's two-out single in the fifth came after the Rangers gave Mike Trout a no-pitch intentional walk to load the bases and Texas starter Martin Perez (1-4) retired Albert Pujols on a popup. Marte had a solo homer in the ninth.
"We got beat today with two-out, run-scoring opportunities that they were able to capitalize on," Texas manager Jeff Banister said. "We don't do that and the other team does that, it's a challenge to win baseball games."
Kole Calhoun hit a solo homer in the third, had two hits, scored twice and saved Ramirez a run by throwing out the speedy Gomez trying to score from second on a single with Texas leading 1-0 in the first inning.
Calhoun's homer, his second, was the first by a left-handed hitter against Perez in Arlington since David Ortiz connected for Boston on May 10, 2014. Perez gave up eight hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings.
No. 9 hitter Martin Maldonado reached base all four times for the Angels with a double, a single and two walks.
Gomez singled in the first for his fifth straight hit and reached base three times a day after hitting for the cycle.
PROFAR DEMOTED
The Rangers claimed infielder Pete Kozma off waivers from the Yankees and sent slumping former top prospect Jurickson Profar to Triple-A Round Rock. Kozma was designated for assignment Friday when New York shortstop Didi Gregorius was activated from the 10-day disabled list. Profar has made 13 starts in left field and is hitting .135 (5 for 37).
PINNED BY PUJOLS
The 37-year-old slugger left the bases loaded in consecutive at-bats. After the popout for the second out preceding Marte's single in the fifth, Pujols struck out in the sixth after the second straight walk to Trout -- this one unintentional. Pujols was 0 for 4 and is hitting .231 with three homers in 104 at-bats.
SHINING SHORTSTOPS
Each shortstop made a standout play in the late innings, starting with Andrelton Simmons when he was playing behind the bag at second and snagged Choo's liner in the seventh. Elvis Andrus robbed Trout of a bloop hit with a sprinting grab in the ninth.
UP NEXT
Angels: RHP Matt Shoemaker (1-1, 4.73 ERA) faces Seattle for the second time this season in the opener of a three-game road series Tuesday. He allowed a season-high seven runs over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision April 9 at home.
Rangers: Houston-area native Andrew Cashner (0-2, 2.93) pitches the opener of a four-game series at the Astros on Monday. The right-hander walked six but allowed just two runs in an 8-1 loss to Minnesota in his previous start.
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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
Los Angeles Angels
It's more than intrigue now.
Ramirez got his first win as a starter on the right-hander's fourth try after 111 career relief appearances, and Jefry Marte homered and hit a tiebreaking, two-run single to help the Angels beat the Texas Rangers 5-2 on Sunday.
The 28-year-old Ramirez (3-2) matched his career high from two starts earlier with nine strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. He has been filling in for Garrett Richards, who hasn't pitched since leaving his first start with a right biceps strain.
"We knew he had definitely a terrific live fastball, he's got a good slider, he's got the curveball," manager Mike Scioscia said. "With that three-pitch mix, we thought that we would look at him to see if he was viable. There was a need, and he's getting his chance."
Ramirez threw seven scoreless innings in his previous start but got a no-decision. He had been a reliever for Philadelphia, Arizona, Seattle and Cincinnati in a span of four seasons when he joined the Angels on a waiver claim last June. Two of his six career wins in relief came this season.
Ramirez, who gave up four hits and two runs, struck out six of the last eight batters he faced, leaving after hitting Carlos Gomez with a pitch. Shin-Soo Choo had a solo homer during that stretch.
"I want to throw a lot of innings every time I go out there," Ramirez said. "Right now, my mind is not like, I want to get 20 wins. I don't want to get 10 wins. It's just, try to gain."
Bud Norris struck out four of the five batters he faced for his fifth save, including Rougned Odor with two on to end the eighth. The Rangers struck out a season-high 15 times.
Marte's two-out single in the fifth came after the Rangers gave Mike Trout a no-pitch intentional walk to load the bases and Texas starter Martin Perez (1-4) retired Albert Pujols on a popup. Marte had a solo homer in the ninth.
"We got beat today with two-out, run-scoring opportunities that they were able to capitalize on," Texas manager Jeff Banister said. "We don't do that and the other team does that, it's a challenge to win baseball games."
Kole Calhoun hit a solo homer in the third, had two hits, scored twice and saved Ramirez a run by throwing out the speedy Gomez trying to score from second on a single with Texas leading 1-0 in the first inning.
Calhoun's homer, his second, was the first by a left-handed hitter against Perez in Arlington since David Ortiz connected for Boston on May 10, 2014. Perez gave up eight hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings.
No. 9 hitter Martin Maldonado reached base all four times for the Angels with a double, a single and two walks.
Gomez singled in the first for his fifth straight hit and reached base three times a day after hitting for the cycle.
PROFAR DEMOTED
The Rangers claimed infielder Pete Kozma off waivers from the Yankees and sent slumping former top prospect Jurickson Profar to Triple-A Round Rock. Kozma was designated for assignment Friday when New York shortstop Didi Gregorius was activated from the 10-day disabled list. Profar has made 13 starts in left field and is hitting .135 (5 for 37).
PINNED BY PUJOLS
The 37-year-old slugger left the bases loaded in consecutive at-bats. After the popout for the second out preceding Marte's single in the fifth, Pujols struck out in the sixth after the second straight walk to Trout -- this one unintentional. Pujols was 0 for 4 and is hitting .231 with three homers in 104 at-bats.
SHINING SHORTSTOPS
Each shortstop made a standout play in the late innings, starting with Andrelton Simmons when he was playing behind the bag at second and snagged Choo's liner in the seventh. Elvis Andrus robbed Trout of a bloop hit with a sprinting grab in the ninth.
UP NEXT
Angels: RHP Matt Shoemaker (1-1, 4.73 ERA) faces Seattle for the second time this season in the opener of a three-game road series Tuesday. He allowed a season-high seven runs over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision April 9 at home.
Rangers: Houston-area native Andrew Cashner (0-2, 2.93) pitches the opener of a four-game series at the Astros on Monday. The right-hander walked six but allowed just two runs in an 8-1 loss to Minnesota in his previous start.
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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
| View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Los Angeles - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Martin Perez pitching for Texas | LAA | TEX |
| Escobar flied out to right. | 0 | 0 |
| Calhoun safe at first on error by first baseman Rua. | 0 | 0 |
| Trout singled to left, Calhoun to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Pujols walked, Calhoun to third, Trout to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Marte lined into double play, to second, Trout doubled off second. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 1 Errors | ||
| Texas - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
| JC Ramirez pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | TEX |
| DeShields walked. | 0 | 0 |
| DeShields stole second. | 0 | 0 |
| Mazara struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Gómez singled to left center, DeShields scored on error by left fielder Maybin. | 0 | 1 |
| Odor singled to right, Gómez thrown out at home, Gómez to third advancing on play. Odor to second advancing on throw. | 0 | 1 |
| Andrus flied out to right. | 0 | 1 |
| 1 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Errors | ||
| Los Angeles - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Martin Perez pitching for Texas | LAA | TEX |
| Simmons walked. | 0 | 1 |
| Espinosa lined out to left. | 0 | 1 |
| Maybin bunt grounded out to catcher, Simmons to second. | 0 | 1 |
| Maldonado walked. | 0 | 1 |
| Escobar lined out to left. | 0 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Texas - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
| JC Ramirez pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | TEX |
| Gallo singled to right. | 0 | 1 |
| Choo lined out to right. | 0 | 1 |
| Gallo stole second. | 0 | 1 |
| Rua grounded out to third, Gallo to third. | 0 | 1 |
| Chirinos flied out to left. | 0 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Los Angeles - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Martin Perez pitching for Texas | LAA | TEX |
| Calhoun homered to center (427 feet). | 1 | 1 |
| Trout flied out to right. | 1 | 1 |
| Pujols grounded out to third. | 1 | 1 |
| Marte grounded out to pitcher. | 1 | 1 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Texas - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
| JC Ramirez pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | TEX |
| DeShields struck out swinging. | 1 | 1 |
| Mazara struck out looking. | 1 | 1 |
| Gómez grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Los Angeles - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
| Martin Perez pitching for Texas | LAA | TEX |
| Simmons struck out looking. | 1 | 1 |
| Espinosa grounded out to shortstop. | 1 | 1 |
| Maybin flied out to center. | 1 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Texas - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
| JC Ramirez pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | TEX |
| Odor grounded out to second. | 1 | 1 |
| Andrus struck out swinging. | 1 | 1 |
| Gallo struck out looking. | 1 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Los Angeles - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
| Martin Perez pitching for Texas | LAA | TEX |
| Maldonado singled to left. | 1 | 1 |
| Escobar doubled to deep right center, Maldonado to third. | 1 | 1 |
| Calhoun grounded into fielder's choice to first, Maldonado out at home, Escobar to third, Calhoun to second. | 1 | 1 |
| Trout intentionally walked. | 1 | 1 |
| Pujols popped out to second. | 1 | 1 |
| Marte singled to center, Escobar and Calhoun scored, Trout to third. | 3 | 1 |
| Simmons flied out to right. | 3 | 1 |
| 2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Texas - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
| JC Ramirez pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | TEX |
| Choo homered to center (433 feet). | 3 | 2 |
| Rua struck out swinging. | 3 | 2 |
| Chirinos struck out swinging. | 3 | 2 |
| DeShields struck out looking. | 3 | 2 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Los Angeles - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
| Martin Perez pitching for Texas | LAA | TEX |
| Espinosa grounded out to shortstop. | 3 | 2 |
| Maybin grounded out to shortstop. | 3 | 2 |
| Maldonado doubled to left. | 3 | 2 |
| Escobar singled to center, Maldonado scored. | 4 | 2 |
| Calhoun singled to center, Escobar to second. | 4 | 2 |
| Jeffress relieved Pérez. | 4 | 2 |
| Trout walked, Escobar to third, Calhoun to second. | 4 | 2 |
| Pujols struck out swinging. | 4 | 2 |
| 1 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Texas - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
| JC Ramirez pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | TEX |
| Mazara struck out looking. | 4 | 2 |
| Gómez walked. | 4 | 2 |
| Álvarez relieved Ramírez. | 4 | 2 |
| Odor flied out to left. | 4 | 2 |
| Andrus lined out to right. | 4 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Los Angeles - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
| Jeremy Jeffress pitching for Texas | LAA | TEX |
| Marte grounded out to third. | 4 | 2 |
| Simmons singled to left. | 4 | 2 |
| Espinosa grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Simmons out at second. | 4 | 2 |
| Maybin grounded into fielder's choice to third, Espinosa out at second. | 4 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Texas - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
| Jose Alvarez pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | TEX |
| Gallo grounded out to first. | 4 | 2 |
| Choo lined out to shortstop. | 4 | 2 |
| Parker relieved Álvarez. | 4 | 2 |
| Rua struck out looking. | 4 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Los Angeles - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
| Sam Dyson pitching for Texas | LAA | TEX |
| Dyson relieved Jeffress. | 4 | 2 |
| Maldonado walked. | 4 | 2 |
| Escobar grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, Maldonado out at second. | 4 | 2 |
| Calhoun flied out to right. | 4 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Texas - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
| Blake Parker pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | TEX |
| Chirinos struck out swinging. | 4 | 2 |
| DeShields singled to center. | 4 | 2 |
| Mazara grounded into fielder's choice to first, DeShields out at second. | 4 | 2 |
| Mazara stole second. | 4 | 2 |
| Gómez walked. | 4 | 2 |
| Norris relieved Parker. | 4 | 2 |
| Odor struck out swinging. | 4 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Los Angeles - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
| Sam Dyson pitching for Texas | LAA | TEX |
| Trout popped out to shortstop. | 4 | 2 |
| Pujols grounded out to third. | 4 | 2 |
| Marte homered to left (404 feet). | 5 | 2 |
| Simmons grounded out to third. | 5 | 2 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Texas - Bottom of 9th | SCORE | |
| Bud Norris pitching for Los Angeles | LAA | TEX |
| Andrus walked. | 5 | 2 |
| Andrus to second on fielder's indifference. | 5 | 2 |
| Gallo struck out swinging. | 5 | 2 |
| Choo struck out swinging. | 5 | 2 |
| Napoli hit for Rua. | 5 | 2 |
| Napoli struck out swinging. | 5 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Los Angeles Angels
| Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escobar 3B | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 | .234 | .287 | .336 |
| Calhoun RF | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | .255 | .333 | .343 |
| Trout CF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 19 | .364 | .443 | .707 |
| Pujols DH | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 | .231 | .270 | .346 |
| Marte 1B | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | .176 | .250 | .333 |
| Simmons SS | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 13 | .284 | .358 | .400 |
| Espinosa 2B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | .170 | .237 | .307 |
| Maybin LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | .206 | .299 | .279 |
| Maldonado C | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 19 | .262 | .357 | .311 |
| Totals | 36 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 137 | |||
| BATTING 2B: Escobar (5, Pérez); Maldonado (3, Pérez) HR: Calhoun (2, 3rd inning off Pérez 0 on, 0 Out); Marte (2, 9th inning off Dyson 0 on, 2 Out) RBI: Calhoun (7), Marte 3 (7), Escobar (8) 2-out RBI: Marte 3, Escobar GIDP: Escobar Angels RISP: 2-8 (Calhoun 0-1, Escobar 1-2, Marte 1-2, Simmons 0-1, Pujols 0-2) Team LOB: 10 | ||||||||||
| FIELDING E: Maybin (2, bobble) Outfield Assist: Calhoun (Gómez at Home). | ||||||||||
Game Information
| Stadium | Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, TX |
| Attendance | 39,804 (82.7% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 3:23 |
| Weather | 66 degrees, sunny |
| Wind | 21 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - Bill Miller, First Base - Kerwin Danley, Second Base - Todd Tichenor, Third Base - Adam Hamari |
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