Angels 7, Rangers 4
The Los Angeles Angels aren’t quite ready to give up the American League West crown as they cruised to a 7-4 victory over the division-leading Texas Rangers on Monday night to open a three-game series.
The Angels jumped out to an early lead on Brandon Wood’s RBI single in the second.
After the Rangers tied it at 1-1 in the fourth on Nelson Cruz’s single, the Angels answered in the bottom half. Los Angeles took a 4-1 lead on three run-scoring doubles from Jeff Mathis, Howie Kendrick and Bobby Abreu.
Torii Hunter extended the Angels’ lead with a two-run single in the sixth.
Los Angeles starter Jered Weaver (13-11) went 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on nine hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
The Rangers scored two runs in the seventh and Chris Davis belted a solo home run in the eighth to cut the deficit to 7-4. That, however, was as close as the Rangers would come.
Texas starter Derek Holland (3-4) lasted only 3 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits with three walks and a strikeout.