Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Torii Hunter delivered a two-run single in the sixth inning and Jered Weaver pitched into the seventh as the Angels downed the Texas Rangers, 7-4, to start a three-game series.
Weaver (13-11) allowed nine hits and three runs over 6 2/3 innings to win his second straight start. He's given up just four runs in his last three outings.
Howie Kendrick doubled in a run and scored twice for Los Angeles, which won for the eighth time in its last 11 games.
David Murphy went 5-for-5 and scored once for the Rangers, who entered the series having won eight of their last 10 contests. Texas' magic number to win the AL West remained at six as Oakland blanked the White Sox Monday night.
Derek Holland (3-4) surrendered six hits and four runs over 3 2/3 frames.
Brandon Wood singled in a run in the bottom of the second and the Angels were bidding for more with the bases full in the third, but center fielder Julio Borbon robbed Juan Rivera of a grand slam to end the frame.
Nelson Cruz extended his hitting streak to 12 games with an RBI single in the top of the fourth, but the Angels scored three times in the bottom half for a 4-1 lead. Jeff Mathis, Kendrick and Bobby Abreu each doubled in runs.
With men on second and third and two gone in the sixth, Hunter singled to left field to drive in Peter Bourjos and Kendrick.
Matt Treanor scored on Michael Young's fielder's choice grounder in the seventh, and the Rangers loaded the bases with two outs before Kevin Jepsen walked Cruz for a 6-3 margin. Ian Kinsler popped out to end the frame.
Pinch-hitter Hideki Matsui legged out an infield single in the bottom of the seventh to drive in Reggie Willits and Chris Davis clubbed a pinch-hit homer in the top of the eighth to complete the scoring.
Fernando Rodney pitched the ninth for his 12th save. Texas had two men on base when Mitch Moreland struck out to end the game.
This was Murphy's second career five-hit game...Weaver added two strikeouts to bring his total to 220 this season, the most for an Angels hurler since Nolan Ryan had 223 in 1979...Texas went 3-for-14 with men in scoring position and stranded 12 on base...Angels third baseman Alberto Callaspo was hit by a pitch on his left ankle in the seventh inning and left the game...The Angels have won five in a row at home.