Home MLB Texas Rangers Game Recap: Schanuel’s Walk-Off Walk Lifts Angels Past Rangers in 6-5 Thriller

Texas Rangers Game Recap: Schanuel’s Walk-Off Walk Lifts Angels Past Rangers in 6-5 Thriller

July 8, 2025
MLB, Team Coverage

ANAHEIM, Calif. (July 7, 2025) — Nolan Schanuel’s patience at the plate delivered a walk-off moment Monday night as the Los Angeles Angels edged the Texas Rangers 6-5 at Angel Stadium. The rookie first baseman drew a bases-loaded walk from Rangers reliever Hoby Milner, capping a chaotic ninth inning and sealing the victory in the series opener.

It was a night where both teams traded blows, and a late-game defensive miscue cracked the door just wide enough for the Angels (41-46) to capitalize.

The drama began early, as Texas (44-46) wasted no time getting on the board. After Marcus Semien drew a leadoff walk, Corey Seager blasted a two-run homer to right off Yusei Kikuchi, his 19th of the season, to give the Rangers a quick 2-0 lead. Seager’s shot traveled 404 feet and set the tone for an aggressive offensive showing by Texas.

Los Angeles responded immediately. Travis d’Arnaud, who was pivotal all night for the Halos, evened the score in the bottom of the second with a two-run homer of his own off Jacob deGrom. It was d’Arnaud’s sixth home run of the season and first since June 15. He wasn’t done. In the fourth, the veteran catcher lifted a sacrifice fly to left, bringing in Jo Adell and giving the Angels a 3-2 lead.

The Rangers tied things again in the top of the fifth when Leody Taveras lined an RBI single to center, scoring Ezequiel Duran. But d’Arnaud again had an answer, this time driving in his third run of the night with a two-out double in the sixth that chased deGrom from the game. The Texas ace went 5.2 innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits while striking out six. Despite the rough outing, deGrom’s ERA remains a strong 2.21.

With the Angels leading 5-3 heading into the eighth, the Rangers clawed back once more. Josh Smith delivered the big hit — a two-out RBI double that tied the game 5-5. Smith went 2-for-4 with two RBI on the night, providing crucial offense from the middle of the order.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Angels took advantage of shaky Rangers defense. Sam Haggerty reached base to start the inning after rookie shortstop Anthony Neto misplayed a routine grounder. Though Luis Rengifo grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, Kenley Jansen held the Rangers scoreless in the top half, striking out Semien with a filthy cutter to keep it tied.

The winning sequence started with two outs and no one on base. Logan O’Hoppe singled, Adell walked, and Willie Calhoun was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Schanuel. Milner fell behind in the count and missed with a 3-1 fastball low, handing the Angels the walk-off win without a swing.

“It wasn’t the way you draw it up,” Angels manager Ron Washington said postgame, “but it was gritty, and we’ll take gritty any day.”

Notes:

Jansen (2-2) earned the win, throwing a scoreless ninth with one strikeout.
Milner (1-3) took the loss after failing to retire any of the three batters he faced.
deGrom’s no-decision snapped a streak of six consecutive starts with a win.
The Rangers went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.

Texas and Los Angeles continue their four-game set Tuesday night, with Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (6-6, 3.91 ERA) expected to start against Angels lefty Patrick Sandoval (4-7, 4.45 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 8:38 p.m. CT.