OC Register: Jared Walsh grand slam breaks open Angels’ victory over Rangers

[AngelsWin.com]

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  Jared Walsh #25 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a grand slam home run in the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 21, 2020 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  Jared Walsh #25 is congratulated by Max Stassi #33, Andrelton Simmons #2 and David Fletcher #22 of the Los Angeles Angels after hitting a grand slam home run in the fourth inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 21, 2020 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  Dylan Bundy #37 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 21, 2020 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  Texas Rangers’ Nick Solak (15) is safe at first base before a catch by Los Angeles Angels’ Jared Walsh (25) during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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  Jared Walsh #25 is congratulated by Max Stassi #33 and Andrelton Simmonsof the Los Angeles Angels after hitting a grand slam home run in the fourth inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 21, 2020 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels crosses the plate for a run on a ground out by Max Stassi as catcher Jeff Mathis #2 of the Texas Rangers awaits the throw in the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 21, 2020 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  Jared Walsh #25 of the Los Angeles Angels lands on the turf after missing a double off the bat of Anderson Tejeda of the Texas Rangers in the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 21, 2020 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  Isiah Kiner-Falefa #9 of the Texas Rangers is congratulated by Joey Gallo #13 after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 21, 2020 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  Jared Walsh #25 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a grand slam home run in the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 21, 2020 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  Texas Rangers’ Rougned Odor hits a ball that was caught by Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons for an out during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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  Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Dylan Bundy throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Jared Walsh hits a grand slam during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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  Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Hoby Milner throws during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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  Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor catches a ball hit by Los Angeles Angels’ David Fletcher for an out during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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  Jared Walsh #25 is congratulated by Max Stassi #33, Andrelton Simmons #2 and David Fletcher #22 of the Los Angeles Angels after hitting a grand slam home run in the fourth inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 21, 2020 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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  Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani walks to the dugout after scoring a run due to a ground ball by Max Stassi during the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Jared Walsh (25) celebrates with David Fletcher, left, Andrelton Simmons and Max Stassi, right, who all scored on Walsh’s grand slam during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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  Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) walks to the dugout after scoring after a single by Max Stassi during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Monday, Sept. 21, 2020, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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ANAHEIM — A quiet afternoon for the Angels’ hitters got loud quickly.

After mustering just an infield hit and a single run in the first three innings, the Angels exploded for seven runs, including a Jared Walsh grand slam, in the fourth inning of their 8-5 victory over the Texas Rangers on Monday.

The Angels (24-31) remain barely alive in the postseason race, trailing both the Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays by four games pending their games later on Monday. The Angels have five games left.

Even if their season ends this week, the Angels can take some satisfaction that they may have uncovered a future contributor in Walsh.

In his last 17 games, Walsh has 24 hits in his last 64 at-bats (.375) with eight homers, and he has hits in the last 13 games.

For the season, Walsh is hitting .312 with a 1.035 OPS. He has only 84 plate appearances, which is probably too few for him to seriously challenge Seattle’s Kyle Lewis for the Rookie of the Year, but he could get some second- or third-place votes. Lewis had an .849 OPS over 218 plate appearances, heading into Monday night’s game.

Walsh provided the big blow to break open Monday’s game with the first grand slam of his career.

The Angels had already turned a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead with two runs on a Max Stassi single and another on an Andrelton Simmons single.

David Fletcher then reached on an error to load the bases for Walsh, who emptied them with a 450-foot drive to center field.

That was ample cushion to get a victory for Dylan Bundy, who wobbled early but got through five innings with just three runs on the board.

With likely one start to go over the weekend at Dodger Stadium, Bundy has a 3.29 ERA. The Angels have won seven of his 11 starts.

More to come on this story.

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