Angels beat Rangers, 8-2, in first meeting since trading Josh Hamilton

KEY MOMENT: Texas Rangers starter Chi Chi Gonzalez had almost worked his way out of danger. He’d given up a run in the second inning, then loaded the bases, but he had two outs and two strikes on Kole Calhoun. Then Calhoun ripped a double that scored three runs, giving the Angels an early 4-0 lead. Gonzalez wouldn’t make it out of the inning.

ON THE MOUND: Right-hander Garrett Richards had little trouble with Josh Hamilton and the rest of the Rangers’ lineup. Richards struck out Hamilton in his first two at-bats, until the outfielder lined a double in the sixth inning. It was one of six hits given up by Richards. He gave up just one run, on an Adrian Beltre single in the sixth inning, and lasted 7 2/3 innings. For one stretch spanning from the second inning to the sixth, Richards retired 12 batters in a row. Fernando Salas retired one batter to close the eighth inning. In the ninth inning, in his first pitch since being activated from the disabled list, Mike Morin gave up a home run to Ryan Rua but retired the next three batters in order.

AT THE PLATE: The Angels hadn’t scored six runs in a game since June 19. They scored that many in the second inning alone Friday. C.J. Cron drove in Erick Aybar for the first run, then Calhoun hit his bases-clearing double. Aybar capped the rally with a single that scored two more runs. The inning, which lasted 61 pitches, ended Gonzalez’s night after 1 2/3 innings and all six earned runs. It also ended the Angels’ 0-for-27 drought with runners in scoring position — and six for 65 in the previous 10 games. The Angels scored again in the third inning on another Calhoun run-scoring double and in the fourth inning, when David Freese knocked in Aybar. Aybar finished five for five, his first career five-hit game, to go with two RBIs. “Just a terrific offensive night,” Manager Mike Scioscia said of Aybar.

COWGILL SUFFERS SETBACK: Outfielder Collin Cowgill, who has been out since May 26 with a sprained right wrist, was moved to the 60-day disabled list Friday. “It flared up again on him,” Scioscia said. He is visiting the Angels training facility in Arizona for further evaluation.

EXTRA BASES: Injured right-hander Cory Rasmus, who has missed all season after abdominal surgery, will begin a rehabilitation assignment at triple-A Salt Lake. “He’s going to get stretched out to 50 pitches down there,” Scioscia said. “We’ll see where he fits in.” … The Angels traded international bonus pool compensation and left-hander Manuel Rondon to the Chicago Cubs for catcher Rafael Lopez, who was assigned to the 40-man roster. The Angels also traded international bonus pool compensation to the New York Mets for right-hander Gaither Bumgardner and to the Rangers for right-hander Jason Hoppe. … Player information coach Rico Brogna did not make the trip with the Angels. His role has been shifted to scouting, at least temporarily. Mike Ashman and Paul Sorrento have assumed his role for the road trip.

UP NEXT: Left-hander Hector Santiago (4-4, 2.58 earned-run average) will face Rangers left-hander Wandy Rodriguez (5-3, 3.91) at Globe Life Park on Saturday at 6 p.m. TV: FS West; Radio: 830.