Rangers Score Season-High 14 Runs, Angels Drop Rubber Game

May 4, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA;Texas Rangers first baseman Prince Fielder (84) runs to home to score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Texas Rangers catcher J.P. Arencibia (7) in the 1st inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Prince Fielder broke out of his season-long slump in a big way Sunday. He and Adrian Beltre managed three runs each as the Rangers won Sunday’s rubber game over the Angels, 14-2.

Led by Fielder’s first three-hit game of the year, Texas struck Tyler Skaggs for six runs in just 2 2/3 innings. It was Skaggs shortest outing of his career and snapped the Angels’ five-game winning streak when he is on the mound.

Catcher J.P Arencibia and center fielder Michael Choice each homered for the Rangers, Choice’s three-run shot in the fourth giving Yu Darvish an insurmountable lead. The 14 runs scored was a season-high.

The Angels were short on opportunities against Darvish held a 2.10 ERA in five starts at Angel Stadium. Erick Aybar and Albert Pujols each homered in the first, but couldn’t muster much offense once Texas’ ace settled down. Pujols reached 10 homers more than a month faster that he did last year (June 9).

A promising second inning was cut short when Ron Washington challenged a force play at third base. With runners on first and second, Aybar hit a dribbler left of the mound. Darvish threw to third, but the initial call ruled C.J. Cron safe.

Had the call stayed, Mike Trout would have batted with one out and the bases loaded. Instead, Trout struck out and contributed to the team’s 0-for-5 day with runners in scoring position. The center fielder only had one hit the three-game series, lowering his batting average to .300.

The loss drops the Angels back to .500 (15-15) and 3 ½ games back of division-leading Oakland.