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Pujols, Angels power past Rangers

Jul 23, 2012 - 4:11 AM Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Albert Pujols homered and knocked in three runs as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim powered past the Texas Rangers, 7-4, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Angel Stadium.

Bobby Wilson also went deep and finished with two RBI for the Angels, who had lost three of their last four.

Mike Trout added a pair of hits and a run scored in the victory. He has now scored a run in 14 straight games, setting an Angels franchise and American League rookie record.

"The scoring record is great, but I'm just doing my job," said Trout.

Dan Haren (7-8) made his return from the disabled list and allowed two runs on three hits and three walks through six innings to earn the win. He had been sidelined since July 3 with lower back stiffness.

Matt Harrison (12-5) surrendered four runs on eight hits and two walks over six-plus innings to take the loss for Texas, which had won six of its last nine.

"Matt was pretty good. He kept us in the ballgame," Rangers manager Ron Washington said about Harrison. "We couldn't shut it down in the bullpen."

After Texas stranded a man on second in the top of the first inning, the Angels got on the board in the bottom of the frame when Trout slapped a leadoff triple into the right-field corner and came home two batters later on Pujols' ground-rule double to left field.

The Angels quickly added to their lead in the second inning following a base hit by Alberto Callaspo and a double by Maicer Izturis that placed runners on second and third with no outs.

Callaspo then crossed the plate on a passed ball by Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba before Wilson singled in Izturis for a 3-0 Angels advantage.

The Rangers closed the gap in the fourth inning when Nelson Cruz followed a one-out single by Michael Young with a blast to straightaway center field to make it a one-run game.

But the Angels regained their cushion in the seventh inning with a leadoff home run by Wilson and a two-run shot by Pujols later in the frame to take a 6-2 lead.

Torii Hunter singled prior to Pujols' 18th homer of the season.

The teams traded RBI singles by Young and Hunter in the eighth inning to make it a 7-3 game.

Texas loaded the bases with one out in the ninth inning off Ernesto Frieri to bring the tying run to the plate, but the Rangers would only get one run on a Elvis Andrus sacrifice fly to deep center field before Josh Hamilton fanned on a 3-2 fastball to end the game.

Game Notes

Wilson's home run was his first of the year...The Angels outhit the Rangers, 15-5...Trout extended his hit streak to 11 games...Harrison suffered just his second loss in his last 10 decisions and fell to 3-4 in 12 career appearances -- seven starts -- against the Angels...Haren improved to 5-10 in 19 career starts against Texas...The Angels lead the seasons series between the teams, 5-4.