ARLINGTON, Texas: The Texas Rangers finally gained some ground in the AL wild-card race with their fifth consecutive victory.
They still don’t have a playoff spot with only two games left in the regular season.
“These last two games are going to be exciting. We definitely bettered our chances,” closer Joe Nathan said after the Rangers’ 5-3 victory last night. “Today was a crucial game.”
Alex Rios had a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh inning, and the Rangers moved closer in the wild-card standings for the first time during their winning streak.
Wild-card leader Tampa Bay lost at Toronto, dropping the Rays into a tie with Cleveland for the two spots after the Indians beat Minnesota. The Rangers, looking for their fourth consecutive playoff appearance, are a game back.
“We just want an opportunity, just want that shot,” Elvis Andrus said.
Ian Kinsler led off the seventh with a walk off Juan Gutierrez (1-5), then moved to second on an errant pickoff throw by the reliever who had taken over after C J Wilson threw 121 pitches in six innings. Rios had his run-scoring hit after a sac bunt by Andrus, then scored on a two-out infield single by A J Pierzynski.
“This is where we want to be ... still in the hunt,” manager Ron Washington said.
The loss was the 82nd for the Angels, ensuring them of only their second losing record the past 10 seasons - a period in which they were AL West champions five times.
“To be totally honest with you, whether we had run off and gotten over .500 or not doesn’t or can’t mask our challenge ahead of how we need to get better,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “It is very frustrating. Nothing has changed as far as if you want to talk about the whole season being frustrating. I think that’s a pretty good buzzword to put on it.”
Alexi Ogando allowed three runs with four strikeouts over 5 1-3 innings.
Nathan, the winner Thursday night when the Rangers won on rookie Jurickson Profar ‘s game-ending homer, worked a perfect ninth for his 42nd save in 45 chances.
The Angels didn’t even get a runner on base against the four relievers. AGENCIES
