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Eighth-inning rally lifts Angels past Rangers

Aug 29, 2008 - 5:35 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim plated five runs in the eighth inning to overcome a three-run deficit and earn a 7-5 win over the Texas Rangers on Thursday.

Francisco Rodriguez recorded the final three outs to nail down his major league-leading 51st save - six shy of tying the single-season record - for the Angels (81-52), who pushed their lead in the American League West to 16 games over the Rangers (66-69) and climbed within one-half game of the Tampa Bay Rays (81-51) in the race for the best record in the AL.

Trailing, 5-2, after seven innings, the Angels staged a rally against righthander Jamey Wright (6-6). After Mark Teixeira grounded out leading off the frame, Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter each singled and Garret Anderson worked a walk to load the bases.

"We just couldn't stop the bleeding," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "We got to (Anaheim starter Jon) Garland early but just couldn't put the game away."

Mike Napoli worked a six-pitch walk to force in the first run. Warner Madrigal came on for Wright and got rookie Brandon Wood to pop out for the second out, but Juan Rivera provided the biggest blow of the frame when he followed with a bases-clearing double into the gap in right-center field to give Anaheim its first lead.

"It was a big hit because it helped us win the game," Rivera said through an interpreter. "I got a good pitch to hit, and I told myself to not let the pitcher beat me and to just make good contact in that situation."

Chone Figgins followed with a single and Reggie Willits capped the rally with an RBI infield single that bounced high off the plate.

"Our offense really came alive in that inning, and (we) just hope that's what we needed to get going on the right track again," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Anaheim sent 11 batters to the plate in the frame.

The Rangers had built their lead in the opening inning on a three-run home run by Milton Bradley - his 22nd - and an RBI double by rookie Chris Davis.

Davis added a solo homer in the fourth and Texas starter Brandon McCarthy allowed one earned run in six innings before yielding to the bullpen.

"It was just one of those games where no lead is safe against a team like the Angels," McCarthy said. "I felt like I pitched a good game, but we just couldn't hold them down."

"We got a good outing of out Mac (McCarthy) but just couldn't hold on for the win," Washington added.

Garland (12-8) was the beneficiary of the uprising, picking up the win despite allowing five runs and eight hits in eight innings.

"I told the coaches to just let me keep throwing and to save the bullpen," Garland said. "I just wanted to go out and get quick outs, and the game ended up going my way. I struggled with my command and just have to tip my cap to the boys, who came up with a big offensive inning to pull out a win."