The Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers kicked off a three-game series on Friday night. The Halos made their presence felt in a 7-4 victory and let the Rangers know they're far from finished in the postseason race.
Mike Trout got things started right away as he led off the game with his 29th home run of the game. In the top of the third, Chris Iannetta hit a solo home run of his own. Mark Trumbo stretched the Los Angeles lead to 3-0 with an RBI double in the fourth inning, which would be all the run support that Jered Weaver would need.
Nelson Cruz hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth to get the Rangers on the board, but Trumbo hit another RBI double in the top of the sixth to get that run back. The Angels weren't done, as they put together a three-run top of the seventh. Kendrys Morales hit an RBI double to drive in Torii Hunter and make it 5-1 Halos. Howie Kendrick and Trumbo followed up with RBI singles to make it 7-1. Trumbo ended up going 3-for-4 with three RBI.
Cruz hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to make it 7-2. Adrian Beltre hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to bring the Rangers to within three runs. That home run would prove to be the last gasp for the home team.
Weaver ended up going seven innings, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks, striking out five along the way.
With the win, the Halos remain alive not only in the Wild Card race, but in the American League West, where their elimination number stays at 1.