Angels relievers can’t back up Garrett Richards in loss to Rangers

Garrett Richards, pitching on three days’ rest, gave the Angels a chance Sunday, holding the Texas Rangers to three runs and six hits in six innings, his biggest mistake a slider that Adrian Beltre hit for a two-run home run in the fifth inning.

But after Richards left with a 3-2 deficit, an overworked bullpen collapsed in the seventh inning, with five relievers giving up six runs, four hits and three walks in a 9-2 victory by the Rangers.

Cam Bedrosian walked Chris Gimenez to open the inning and collided with third baseman David Freese trying to field a bunt by Delino DeShields.

Left-hander Cesar Ramos walked Shin-Soo Choo to load the bases and Prince Fielder to force in a run. Mike Morin came on to face Beltre, whose hard grounder was stopped by Freese with a dive.

But Freese stumbled as he tried to get up and throw home and had no play, as another run scored for a 5-2 Texas lead. Mitch Moreland hit a sacrifice fly, Josh Hamilton hit a run-scoring single and Elvis Andrus hit a two-run double to make it 9-2.

“We just couldn’t get the ball over the plate, and we didn’t make some plays in the seventh,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “It ended up being a big inning.”

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Freese, who hit .257 with 14 home runs and 56 runs batted in, figures to be an attractive free agent in a market that is thin on third basemen, but the Angels will be high on his list.

“Absolutely, I want to be back,” he said. “I think they understand that. With that said, a lot of things have to happen on both sides.”

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Scioscia has three years and $18 million left on his contract and is expected to return in 2016, but he also has an opt-out clause after this season. Asked whether he will be back next season, he said, “I’m not going to comment on anything pertaining to my contract.” … Albert Pujols hit a two-run home run in the first inning, his 40th. He and Mike Trout (41) are the first Angels teammates to hit 40 home runs in the same season.