Angels 11, Rangers 10
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Los Angeles Angels rallied for five runs in the ninth inning Saturday, dashing the Texas Rangers hopes of clinching the American League West with an 11-10 victory.
Texas led 10-6 going into the ninth before the Angels hit back-to-back homers off Texas closer Shawn Tolleson, who was pitching for the fifth consecutive game.
Right-hander Ross Ohlendorf came on in relief of Tolleson and after retiring the first batter allowed a double to designated hitter Albert Pujols. Ohlendorf struck out left fielder David Murphy before the wheels came off for Texas.
The Angels put together four straight two-out singles, with catcher Carlos Perez tying the game at 10 before second baseman Johnny Giavotella served a soft single to center to give Los Angeles the lead.
Joe Smith, the ninth Los Angeles pitcher, worked a perfect ninth to complete the improbable comeback. The Rangers can still clinch the West with a Houston loss Saturday or Sunday, or a win over the Angels on Sunday.
Texas trailed 5-1 in the fifth inning before scoring nine of the next 10 runs.
Down 6-5 in the bottom of the sixth, the Rangers loaded the bases for right fielder Shin-Soo Choo. He dribbled a two-run single to left off Los Angeles left-hander Cesar Ramos to give Texas the lead.
Third baseman Adrian Beltre, who had a key two-run single in the fifth, pushed the Texas lead to 8-6 with another single. That gave him 30 RBIs over the last 22 games.
Left fielder Josh Hamilton and second baseman Rougned Odor each hit solo homers in the seventh to give the Rangers what seemed like insurance.
Los Angeles broke a 1-1 tie with four runs in the fifth off Texas starter Colby Lewis. Run-scoring hits from Perez and Giavotella pushed the Angels up 3-1. A wild pitch scored another run and center fielder Mike Trout's sacrifice fly upped the lead to 5-1.
NOTES: The Rangers won't be using Mike Napoli in left field much anymore now that Josh Hamilton is healthy. The Rangers are 9-2 in games started by Napoli in left, but he also has made two errors. Napoli started Saturday's game at first base. ... The Angels haven't decided on a Sunday starter yet. They could go with RHP Garrett Richards on short rest or rookie RHP Nick Tropeano. ... Saturday's 12:05 p.m. CT start was the earliest starting time at Globe Life Park in 2015 and marked just the second time in the last two seasons there had been a 12:05 start in Arlington. ... Texas CF Delino DeShields is just the second rookie in team history to have at least 25 steals in a season. He is the first since SS Elvis Andrus had 33 in 2009.