Freese’s late blast sinks Rangers; Texas might take Hamilton back
Angels pull out win amid reports of trading troubled outfielder to former team
ANAHEIM, Calif. — David Freese’s two-run home run in the seventh inning lifted the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-2 win over the Texas Rangers on Friday night at Angel Stadium.
The victory came amid reports the Angels are close to a deal that would send troubled outfielder Josh Hamilton back to the Rangers.
On Friday, a few hours after SI.com reported that Hamilton could be gone from the Angels in a matter of days, MLB.com, USA Today and ESPN.com reported that the Angels were in serious trade talks with the Rangers about a deal that would send Hamilton back to the place where he won the American League Most Valuable Player award in 2010.
Hamilton, who in February admitted to relapsing and abusing drugs and alcohol, began this season on the disabled list after he underwent right shoulder surgery Feb. 4.
He was expected to begin baseball activities at the Angels’ spring training complex in Arizona soon.
Hamilton, 33, has been rehabbing the shoulder in the Houston area for the past two months, while also dealing with the issue of his self-reported relapse.
After an arbiter ruled that Hamilton should not be suspended by Major League Baseball for violating his treatment program, Angels owner Arte Moreno said he wouldn’t guarantee Hamilton would ever play again for the Angels, even though Hamilton is still owed $83 million by the club.
The Rangers presumably would assume a very small portion of his salary.
Since signing a five-year, $125 million contract with the Angels in December 2012, Hamilton has struggled with injuries and production. Last season, he was limited to 89 games and batted .263 with a .331 on-base percentage, a .414 slugging percentage, 10 home runs and 44 RBIs. He has totaled 31 homers and 123 RBIs in the last two seasons.
On Friday, Freese’s homer made a winner of starting pitcher Garrett Richards, who gave up two runs and three hits in seven innings, but stood to lose the game if not for Freese’s big hit.
The Rangers pushed across two runs against Richards in the third inning, and it was enough through six innings. Rangers starter Wandy Rodriguez, just called up from Triple-A Round Rock and making his first major league start since May of last year, gave up just one run in five innings.
In the seventh, Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun led off with a single. Center fielder Mike Trout hit into a force play, but Trout stole second. After first baseman Albert Pujols lined out, Freese stepped to the plate and worked the count full against Rangers reliever Keone Kela before hitting a fastball over the fence in left-center.
For Freese, the home run was his fourth of the season, most on the club. He hit only 10 homers last year, and didn’t hit No. 4 until July 5.
Angels reliever Joe Smith pitched a scoreless eighth, and Huston Street did the same in the ninth for his sixth save.
Angels designated hitter C.J. Cron had three hits while Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder had two of the Rangers’ three hits.
The Rangers took the lead in the third inning, scoring two runs.
The Angels, though, broke through in the fourth inning, getting singles by Cron and left fielder Collin Cowgill, and a sacrifice fly by catcher Chris Iannetta, cutting Texas’ lead to 2-1.