Three takeaways: Martin Perez allows too many baserunners in Rangers loss to Angels

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Takeaways and observations from the Rangers' 3-1 loss to Los Angeles Sunday while wondering when the last time a Texas prospect had as scintillating a major league debut as Nomar Mazara. Oh, wait, Joey Gallo did last year.

THREE TAKEAWAYS

-- Command and control: It says a lot about Martin Perez season so far that he has more ground ball double plays (five) than strikeouts (three). And he's allowed more walks (nine) than both of the other stats combined. He's simply got to have better command of his sinking fastball. He put 13 runners on base in 6.1 innings Sunday and didn't strike a batter out. That's a recipe for disaster.

-- Maz-nificent: Nomar Mazara had three very impressive at-bats to start his major league career. In his first two, the 20-year-old fought off two strike pitches then singled on a slow curve ball and on a changeup. When Jered Weaver started the third at-bat with another changeup, Mazara hammered it for his first major league homer. Mazara, Joey Gallo and Jurickson Profar have all homered in their major league debuts.

-- Dream Weaver: Jered Weaver can't throw the ball over 83 miles an hour and his offspeed stuff often dips into the 60s, but the Rangers can't figure him out to save themselves. Over his last 12 starts against the Rangers, dating back to July, 2012, he's 7-1 with a 2.59 ERA. He allowed only one run in six innings Sunday. It came on a homer by Nomar Mazara.

BREAKDOWN

The arms: On one hand, LHP Martin Perez got three double play grounders and has five in 12.1 innings this season, but on the other, double play opportunities are abundant when you put 13 runners on base over the course of 6.1 innings in a start. ... RHP Tony Barnette entered in a tough situation: With the bases loaded, one out and Mike Trout and Albert Pujols due up. He retired both batters, though Trout drove home a run with a sac fly. ... The Rangers have received quality starts in six of their first seven games.

The bats: RF Nomar Mazara fought off a 1-2 slider then stayed back on a slow curve to drive it into center field for a single in his first major league at-bat. ... 3B Adrian Beltre had four extra-base hits over the final two games of the series. ... DH Prince Fielder has reached base in all seven games.

The gloves: 3B Adrian Beltre gobbled up a hard bouncer to third, raced to the bag and then threw to first to complete an inning-ending double play in the second. ... 2B Hanser Alberto tried to do too much when a grounder hit off Martin Perez and ricocheted to him. He flipped high and late to second, where he had no play, instead of going to first. ... LF Ian Desmond let a single get through his legs for his first error as an outfielder.

SCORING HIGHLIGHTS

Los Angeles third: Martin Perez allowed consecutive singles to the Nos. 9-1 hitters and Craig Gentry followed with a sacrifice bunt that eliminated the double play. Mike Trout drove in one run with a ground out and Albert Pujols another with a single. Los Angeles 2, Rangers 0

Rangers fifth: On the first pitch of his third at-bat, Nomar Mazara homered onto the artificial turf slope behind center field. The ball traveled 443 feet and left the bat at 105 mph. Los Angeles 2, Rangers 1

Los Angeles seventh: Perez allowed a leadoff single to No. 8 hitter Geovany Soto, walked Yunel Escobar with one out and hit Craig Gentry. Reliever Tony Barnette got the final two outs, but a run scored on Trout's sacrifice fly. Los Angeles 3, Rangers 1