Pujols climbs HR list as Halos blank Rangers

ARLINGTON — Albert Pujols hit a two-run home run off Rangers starter Derek Holland, and the Angels took the opener of a three-game series with a 2-0 victory on Monday night.

Starter Nick Tropeano combined with four relievers to pitch the Angels’ third shutout of the season, and Joe Smith pitched a scoreless ninth for his sixth save while filling in for Huston Street as closer. The Rangers had seven hits and three walks but were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

“We had some big outs, no doubt,” said Angels manager Mike Scioscia, whose team has won eight of its last 11 games despite having 10 players on the disabled list.

“I think it’s just us coming together as a team,” Tropeano said. “We’re picking each other up.”

Holland took the loss despite 6 2/3 strong innings, and the Rangers had a three-game winning streak come to an end. Holland is 0-3 with a 9.68 ERA in four starts in May after going 3-1 with a 2.48 ERA in five April starts.

“That’s the best movement I’ve had and the best off-speed stuff,” Holland said. “You have to tip your cap to Pujols, the ball was down the middle and he’s paid to hit that. It couldn’t have been a better pitch to hit.”

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDPassing the baton: Tropeano pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings, a day after Jered Weaver held the Orioles to two runs in seven innings and two days after Matt Shoemaker pitched 7 1/3 shutout innings. Four Angels starting pitchers are currently tending to serious injuries, but the rotation is seemingly turning a corner, posting a 3.00 ERA since May 13 that is the fourth-best in the Majors over that span. Tropeano has given up only one run in 13 2/3 innings over his last two starts, dropping his ERA to 2.86.

“Coming into the spring, we had eight guys fighting for those spots, and we were all capable of pitching here,” Tropeano said. “And we all know it. It kind of fuels us. We fuel each other.”

Moreland’s struggles continue: The Rangers started the fourth inning with leadoff singles from Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre. But Tropeano struck out Mitch Moreland, getting him to chase on a 1-2 fastball outside. Moreland entered the game in an 0-for-11 slump and struck out his first two at-bats. Elvis Andrus then grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Climbing the ladder: Pujols turned on a 1-1 sinker from Holland in the third and …

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