Griffin sharp early, then quickly unravels

ANAHEIM — Rangers starter A.J. Griffin was terrific for three innings Monday night, retiring the first nine batters he faced. Griffin, holding a four-run lead, looked ready to do to the Angels what Cole Hamels did to the Cubs on Sunday afternoon.

Then it all changed in the course of 10 pitches. Griffin walked Yunel Escobar and Kole Calhoun to start the fourth and it unraveled from there for the Rangers in a 9-5 loss to the Angels.

All the strange and game-changing plays that followed came after the domino-falling two walks to open the bottom of the fourth.

“I don’t know,” Griffin said. “It’s frustrating, that’s pretty much all I can say. You go out there and try your best every time. … I don’t know.”

The walks …

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