Santana Pitches Angels Past Rangers

Ervin Santana rebounded from a three-run first to pitch seven strong innings, Mike Napoli homered and Los Angeles handed the Texas Rangers their fourth straight loss, 7-4 Monday night. Closer Francisco Rodriguez pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save in five chances for the Angels, who had lost seven of their last eight against Texas.

Santana (2-0) came in 1-4 with an 8.92 ERA against the Rangers on the road and he quickly fell behind, allowing Hank Blalock's two-run homer and Michael Young's sacrifice fly in the first. But after loading the bases in the third, he retired 11 straight. Angels manager Mike Scioscia was ejected in the eighth for arguing a called third strike.