Angels Looking Different Since Last We Saw Them In Town

ARLINGTON - The following one-question quiz was presented to proud Prosper resident Torii Hunter: Is this series more important for the Rangers, who have seen a 5.5-game lead turn into a 1.5-game deficit over 15 days?

“I really don’t care about nobody else but the Angels, so I think it’s more important for me anytime we play anybody,” Hunter said before going out for stretching. “Especially the Rangers because they’re playing so well – well, they were playing well – but they’re still fighting us for first place. Trying to beat them at their place is tough. They have the swings for this stadium.”

On May 17, the Rangers closed out a three-game sweep of the Angels at Rangers Ballpark to build a 4.5-game lead. The lead was still 4.5 on June 12; since then, the serpentine Angels won seven straight, lost three and now won another five straight. Hunter had a three-home run game on June 13 and leads the club with 17. Gary Matthews Jr. showed how to steal home on Sunday. LAA leads the American League in hitting at .278.

Yet Hunter pointed to pitching, where they’ve been fighting a constant battle with the disabled list, and improved fielding for the club’s change of direction.

“Kendry Morales has turned it around at first base,” Hunter said. “He’s picking a lot of balls, and [Erick] Aybar’s turning it around from last year. He’s more consistent at shortstop. [Chone] Figgins at third has been Gold Glove caliber. And our pitchers are starting to get it together.

“It’s been a lot of fun. All cylinders are clicking.”