The Texas Rangers guaranteed themselves a post-season spot by beating the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday with third baseman Adrian Beltre driving in three runs for Texas, though just making the playoffs was not enough for the team.
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They’re now a full game back of the Astros for the last available Wild Card spot, while tied with the Twins and, perhaps, in need of three straight wins to extend their season.
Los Angeles Kole Calhoun breaks his bat as he hits a fly out during the second inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Friday, October 2, 2015.
Game three of the four game series will continue Saturday afternoon in Texas as Hector Santiago will take the hill for the Angels and will be opposed by Colby Lewis for the Rangers.
Already assured a playoff spot, the Rangers could have won the division with a victory over the Angels on Friday night, or a loss by the Astros. Los Angeles and Minnesota are 83-76, one game back of Houston for the wild card.
Royals right-hander Chris Young allowed just four hits and one run while he struck out five and walked two through 6-1/3 innings.
The regular season is down to two games.
Thursday’s crowd of 32,338, swathed in red and on its feet for the final inning, only went a little insane when Carlos Perez swung and missed at Tolleson’s last pitch.
Encarnacion hit his 38th homer, a solo shot, before Martin made it 8-4 with his two-run drive during the seventh. “They’ve evolved and they’re playing really good baseball”.
Cubs 6, Brewers 1: Chicago’s Jake Arrieta (22-6) struck out seven in six strong innings, dropping his ERA to 1.77 in his final tuneup before the postseason – likely Wednesday’s wild-card game against the Pirates. Perez has also only made one start against the Angels, but surrendered three earned runs on five hits and four walks in a loss earlier this month.
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney turns the ball…
In the top of the second inning, Hamilton saved a run with maybe the catch of the year by a Rangers outfielder on a sharp would-be double from Shane Victorino, crashing into the wall after sliding.
Weaver is 1-7 with a 7.47 ERA in eight road starts since June, including consecutive defeats at Seattle and Houston on September 16 and 21 in which he allowed eight runs and 15 hits over 10 1-3 innings.
The win allowed the Nationals to salvage one game of the three-game series.
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The Angels were 2 for 2 on replay challenges, with safe calls overturned to outs in the first two innings. He gave up two unearned runs in six innings of a 4-2 loss at Houston in his last start. Albert Pujols, running from third, tagged up and scored on a close play, as Hamilton recovered quickly and got the ball to shortstop Andrus for the relay home. Valencia, who had three hits, followed with his career-high 17th homer deep into the left-center field bleachers.
