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Rangers eliminate Angels from postseason contention

Sep 27, 2011 - 5:58 AM Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Adrian Beltre hit a two-run home run to lead the Rangers to a 4-3 win over the Angels, as Texas eliminated Los Angeles from postseason contention.

The loss dropped the Angels three games back of the wild card lead, which is tied between Boston and Tampa Bay. The Angels will miss the playoffs for the second year in a row.

The AL West champions meanwhile, stayed one game ahead of Detroit, which pounded Cleveland, 14-0, on Monday, for the second seed in the upcoming American League playoffs.

Elvis Andrus went 4-for-5 with a run scored while Michael Young drove in a run and scored once for the Rangers, who have won four straight and eight of nine.

C.J. Wilson made a brief two-inning start as he will rest for the next three days before starting the playoff opener on Friday. He gave up just two walks and two hits while Mark Hamburger (1-0) got the first win of his career after giving up just one run on two hits in 3 2/3 innings.

"The first two innings they worked C.J. pretty hard," said Texas manager Ron Washington. "Once we took him out and brought Hamburger in, we wanted three innings out of him and he almost gave up four. Great job from him."

Peter Bourjos, Mike Trout and Bobby Abreu each drove in a run for the Angels, who have lost four of five. Dan Haren (16-10) was touched for four runs -- three earned -- along with nine hits and a walk while striking out eight in eight innings.

"It's frustrating is what it is," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "Early September we were playing our best baseball all year. But, we fell short."

Ian Kinsler led off the game with a single, moved to second on a passed ball and crossed the plate when Andrus laid down a bunt that saw Jeff Mathis throw the ball away.

Young led off the fourth with a walk and Beltre followed with his 31st home run of the season.

The Angels got back in the game with two runs in the sixth. With one out, Torii Hunter doubled and Darren Oliver took over on the mound after the second out. Alberto Callaspo then singled and Trout followed with a base hit to score Hunter. After Erick Aybar walked, Abreu walked in a pinch-hit role to force in a run.

Young singled in Andrus in the eighth.

The ninth saw Neftali Feliz come on to close the game and he gave up a leadoff single to Aybar, who advanced to second on a passed ball. The next two batters recorded outs, but Bourjos kept the Angels alive with a single to make it a one-run game. Howie Kendrick, though, struck out to kill the Angels postseason hopes and give Feliz his 31st save of the year.

Game Notes

Haren fell to 4-8 in 17 starts against the Rangers...Texas has won 10 of the 17 games against the Angels this season...LA left nine men on base.