Texas Rangers Eliminate Los Angeles Angels with 4-3 Win

Adrian Beltre hit a two-run homer, Michael Young added an eighth-inning RBI single, and the Texas Rangers eliminated the Los Angeles Angels from the playoff race with a 4-3 victory Monday night.

"You have to give them credit," Angels manager Mike Scioscia told MLB.com. "They earned it. We gained momentum too late, as we look back on it. We had opportunities early because nobody was taking off with this thing. Last year was rough, but this one stings a little more because we saw it in front of us and didn't play well enough to get it done."  The Angels have missed the playoffs for the second season in a row.

Elvis Andrus had four hits for the AL West champion Rangers (94-66), who have won eight of nine. Texas also stayed one game ahead of Detroit (93-67) for the league's second-best record and homefield advantage in this weekend's division series.

The victory was the Rangers' 94th of the season, which according to MLB.com ties the 1977 team for the second most in club history. The Rangers, who have won 13 of their last 16, need one more win to tie the club record of 95 set in 1999.

"Yeah, that means something," infielder Michael Young told MLB.com. "It means a lot. The great thing about this team is that even though we're focused on postseason, we're still coming out and bearing down on the game. We came out tonight to win. These games mean a lot."

Peter Bourjos had a run-scoring single in the ninth for the Angels, who began the night three games behind the wild card-leading Red Sox with three to play. Although Boston's woes provided an opportunity, Los Angeles has fallen apart with seven losses in 11 games.

Neftali Feliz struck out All-Star Howie Kendrick to finish his 31st save.

Information from the Associated Press used in this report