The Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers wrapped up their three-game series on Sunday night with the second game of a day-night doubleheader. The Halos needed to get the sweep in Arlington, but despite a big early lead, they took an 8-7 loss.
The Halos jumped out to a big 4-0 lead in the first inning. Albert Pujols hit an RBI double to drive in Erick Aybar and open the scoring. Torii Hunter followed up with an RBI single and Mark Trumbo launched a two-run homer -- his 32nd of the year.
The Rangers got one of those runs back in the bottom of the first on an RBI double from Josh Hamilton. In the bottom of the second, David Murphy and Mike Napoli hit home runs off of Ervin Santana, cutting the lead to 4-3. Santana served up the long ball once again in the third, as Napoli hit his second homer of the game to put Texas ahead, 6-4. The Rangers catcher (and former Halo) wasn't finished, as he hit a two-run double in the fifth that made it 8-4 Texas. Napoli had six RBI in the game.
The Angels didn't score again until the seventh inning, when Howie Kendrick hit a three-run homer to cut the Rangers' lead to one run. Unfortunately, the Angels were unable to push across any more runs. With the Rangers win, they clinch a playoff spot, as do the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles. The Angels have an elimination number of one.