The Angels’ Willie Calhoun is congratulated after scoring during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
The Texas Rangers’ Jonah Heim hits a home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Angels in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Angels left fielder Taylor Ward tries but can’t get to a home run ball off the bat of Jonah Heim of the Texas Rangers (not pictured) during the second inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
The Texas Rangers’ Jonah Heim, right, celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Angels during the second inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
The Texas Rangers’ Ezequiel Duran reacts after popping up against the Angels during the second inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Angels in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Angels’ Luis Rengifo (2) beats the tag while stealing second against Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien, left, during the third inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Angels’ Luis Rengifo slides into home plate to score on a single by teammate Kevin Pillar during the third inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Angels’ Luis Rengifo celebrates with teammates after scoring a run during the third inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Angels in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Angels’ Kevin Pillar steals third base against Texas Rangers third base Josh Smith (8) during the third inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. Anderson allowed one run in seven innings in a 9-3 win. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney pitches against the Angels at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Zach Neto hits a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Angels’ Zach Neto celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Zach Neto (9) celebrates after his home run with third base coach Eric Young Sr. (85) while running the bases during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Angels’ Zach Neto, left, is congratulated at the dugout by Manager Ron Washington, center, and teammate Willie Calhoun after hitting a home run that also scored teammate Jo Adell during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Angels’ Zach Neto celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager, right, tries to turn a double play as the Angels’ Willie Calhoun is out at second base, allowing teammate Jo Adell to be safe at first base, during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, left, pulls starting pitcher Andrew Heaney, right, as catcher Jonah Heim, center, looks on during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Angels in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Grant Anderson pitches against the Angels during the fifth inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. Anderson allowed one run in seven innings in a 9-3 win. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson, right, makes a point with umpire Adrian Johnson (80) during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Angels outfielder Taylor Ward catches a fly ball after waving off teammate Luis Rengifo during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the sixth inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Angels manager Ron Washington watches from the dugout during a game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson, left, sits in the dugout after completing the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Shaun Anderson pitches against the Angels during the seventh inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Taylor Ward singles during the eighth inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Angels relief pitcher Hunter Strickland throws to the plate during the eighth inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Angels left fielder Taylor Ward leaps but can’t get to a home run ball off the bat of the Texas Rangers’ Marcus Semien (not pictured) during the eighth inning at Globe Life Field on May 17, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Angels relief pitcher Matt Moore throws to the plate during the eighth inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Angels closer Carson Fulmer winds up to throw during ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Angels relief pitcher Carson Fulmer throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Angels relief pitcher Carson Fulmer, left, and catcher Logan O’Hoppe celebrate their team’s victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Angels manager Ron Washington, center, brings out the lineup before the team’s baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy looks out from the field before a baseball game against the Angels in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Angels manager Ron Washington walks on the field before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, May 17, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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ARLINGTON, Texas — Each time the Angels play a solid game in this disappointing season, Manager Ron Washington says he’s expecting to eventually see those performances with more consistency.
This is a start. They’ve now managed a two-game winning “streak” each of the last two weeks.
The Angels beat the Texas Rangers, 9-3, on Friday night with an impressive all-around performance, after beating the St. Louis Cardinals by five runs on Wednesday. Last week’s two-game winning streak, which was their first since the opening week of the season, came against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
On Saturday, the Angels will have a shot at their first three-game winning streak since they won their fourth in a row on April 3.
None of that means much at this point, but the Angels (17-28) will take any encouraging signs they can get.
“I hope so,” Washington said when asked if this could be the start of consistently better baseball. “And it all starts with the pitching.”
Angels starter Tyler Anderson gave up one run in seven innings, beating the defending World Series champions.
Zach Neto and Taylor Ward hit homers. All told, the Angels had 14 hits, with eight of their nine starters collecting at least one. Five players drove in runs.
“The guys are starting to swing the bats,” Washington said. “Each night we don’t have to put up nine but at least give ourselves an opportunity by swinging those bats.”
Neto’s two-run homer in the fourth inning put the Angels on top to stay. He started the season slowly but has now hit .319 with a .907 OPS since May 4. He has hit three of his five homers in that span.
“He’s feeling good about himself,” Washington said, “and he should feel good about himself because he’s been doing some good things on the offensive side, starting to come around. And we need it.”
Ward blasted his ninth homer of the season.
In between the homers, the Angels broke the game open with a three-run fifth that included RBI hits from Willie Calhoun and Kyren Paris.
Calhoun had a career-high four hits, improving to .365 with a .959 OPS in 13 games with the Angels.
“He’s working every day,” Washington said of Calhoun. “He’s applying to things that he’s supposed to be doing in the box. And it’s just been awesome to watch him swinging that bat. He’s finally swinging the bat with consistency. He keeps the hitting going. And that’s what we have to do. We’ve just got to keep innings going.”
The offensive outburst allowed Anderson to cruise through the Texas lineup without much trouble.
Anderson has now improved his ERA to 2.72 through nine starts, a dramatic improvement from the 5.43 mark he posted in the first year of his three-year, $39million deal with the Angels.
Anderson gave up a homer to Jonah Heim in the second. The Rangers had runners at second and third when he escaped that inning.
Starting with the final out of the second, Anderson retired 15 hitters in a row. He ended up allowing only two hits, both in the second inning.
“I didn’t feel great about my stuff in general, but just trying to compete and keep us in the game, give us a chance,” Anderson said. “Just tried to mix and move the ball around a little bit. Speed them up. Slow them down. After the second inning, I started throwing some better changeups. Started to get my fastball to some better spots. Just trying to attack and get in the zone as much as I could.”
