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Hamilton, Rangers earn pivotal win over Angels

Aug 29, 2011 - 6:21 AM Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - Josh Hamilton crushed a two-run homer and hit a go-ahead RBI single during a four-run seventh inning to help the Texas Rangers extend their lead in the American League West with a 9-5 victory over the Angels.

Elvis Andrus joined Hamilton with three hits and knocked in two runs for Texas, which holds a three-game advantage in the division after taking two of three from its closest competitor.

Rangers starter Colby Lewis gave up five runs on eight hits in six innings. Darren Oliver (5-5) earned the win with one inning of relief.

Pitching on three days' rest for the first time in his career, Jered Weaver (15-7) surrendered seven runs on eight hits and walked four batters in six- plus frames for Los Angeles.

"I don't think I missed a spot in the bullpen," Weaver said. "Come out to the mound and wasn't quite there. Obviously, I was battling all night and tried to keep us in the game."

Howie Kendrick put the Angels up 5-4 when he opened the fifth with a home run to right-center.

Texas seized control in the seventh. Weaver returned to the mound and gave up a leadoff double to David Murphy, who scored the tying run on Ian Kinsler's single to center field.

After Andrus reached on a bunt single, Scott Downs relieved Weaver and Hamilton singled home Kinsler. An intentional walk to Michael Young loaded the bases and pinch-hitter Endy Chavez plated two more with a grounder up the middle off Bobby Cassevah.

Andrus added an RBI single in the eighth.

Los Angeles built a 2-0 lead on run-scoring singles by Bobby Abreu and Jeff Mathis in the first and second innings.

Yorvit Torrealba launched a solo home run in the Rangers' second, but the Angels pushed across two more runs in the third. Mark Trumbo's two-out double drove home Abreu and Vernon Wells followed with an RBI single to make it 4-1.

Texas countered with a three-spot in the bottom of the inning. Kinsler led off with a walk and scored on Andrus' triple. Hamilton sent Weaver's next pitch over the center-field wall to tie the game.

"Those guys never quit, they continue to fight," said Texas manager Ron Washington. "We never thought we were out of the ballgame."

Game Notes

Texas right fielder Nelson Cruz left Sunday's game because of a strained left hamstring. He sustained the injury running out a double in the sixth inning...Kendrick has homered in five of his last six games.