Joey Gallo hit a three-run homer and Ronald Guzman added a two-run shot in the first inning, and the Texas Rangers extended their strong start with an 11-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night.
Shin-Soo Choo got credit for a three-run double in the fifth when Brian Goodwin badly misplayed his short hit to left with the bases loaded, and the Rangers ruined the Angels' home opener while cruising to their fifth win in seven games.
With their best start to a season since 2013, the Rangers are three games above .500 for the first time since May 22, 2017.
Mike Trout homered and threw out a runner at home for the Angels, who have lost five straight to drop to an AL-worst 1-6. New manager Brad Ausmus' Halos are off to the franchise's worst start since the 1961 expansion club began 1-8.
Kole Calhoun hit the first leadoff homer in a home opener in franchise history for the Angels, but they were already trailing 5-0 before Calhoun got to the plate.
Matt Harvey (0-1) had a dismal debut at Angel Stadium, giving up 10 hits and eight runs while getting chased before he recorded an out in the fifth.
The longtime Mets right-hander had never pitched in Anaheim, but the free agent signee returned from a solid Angels debut on the road by allowing 14 of the Rangers' 24 batters against him to reach base.
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Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons also left the game for Los Angeles in the third inning with lower back tightness. The Angels already are without left fielder Justin Upton, who is expected to miss at least two months after badly injuring his toe in an exhibition game at Angel Stadium last month.
The Rangers jumped on Harvey by batting around in the first inning. Gallo's second homer of the season put Texas up 3-0 after four batters, and Guzman followed with a drive that barely glanced off the right field pole.
Calhoun responded with his second homer of the season — a marked improvement on last season, when he didn't hit his second homer until June 19.
Edinson Volquez was staked to a huge early lead, but he gave up four hits and four walks while failing to reach the fifth inning in his second straight start.
Jeffrey Springs (1-0) pitched 2 1/3 innings of one-run relief.
Trout's 422-foot homer in the third was his first since agreeing to a 12-year, $426.5 million contract to stay with the Angels.
But the Rangers went up 9-2 in the fifth when Goodwin allowed Choo's hit to bounce past him. Goodwin, who also misjudged a diving catch earlier in the game, was claimed off waivers from Kansas City shortly after Upton injured his toe last month.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rangers: OF Nomar Mazara got the night off after bruising his leg Wednesday in a collision with Houston's Yuli Gurriel. Mazara could play Friday.
Angels: Shohei Ohtani hopes he can return to the lineup before May. The designated hitter had Tommy John surgery Oct. 1, but has been taking swings at pitches for over a week. He hasn't taken live batting practice yet. ... RHP Nick Tropeano threw a bullpen session in Anaheim. He is returning from a right shoulder injury that kept him out of spring training.
UP NEXT
Felix Pena (0-1, 9.82 ERA) returns from a rough season debut for Los Angeles against Lance Lynn (0-0, 12.00), who gave up 10 hits and seven runs to the Cubs in his Rangers debut.
