SoCal MLB Capsule

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Gary Matthews Jr. broke open a tie game with a three-run double to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 7-4 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday afternoon. Casey Kotchman blasted a two-run homer for the Angels, who had defeated the Rangers by the same score on Monday. The Angels have now won three in a row, while the loss was Texas' fifth straight - all at home. With the game tied at 4-4, Texas reliever Josh Rupe (0-1) replaced starter Kevin Millwood to begin the sixth inning and the Angels took advantage. After a walk and a sacrifice bunt, Erick Aybar singled and Chone Figgins walked to load the bases with one out. Matthews, who played for the Rangers from 2004-06, then lined a 2-0 pitch to the left-center field gap, giving the Angels the lead. Darren Oliver (1-0) pitched 2 2/3 innings to pick up the win and combined with three other relievers to keep the Texas scoreless over the final five innings. Francisco Rodriguez pitched the ninth, working around a pair of walks, for his fifth save of the season and second in the two-game series.