Weaver Becomes AL's 1st 20-Game Winner To Lead Angels Past Ranger
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Jered Weaver became the American League's first 20-game winner, Mike Trout hit a leadoff homer and the Los Angeles Angels beat Texas 7-4 Friday night to prevent the Rangers from clinching a playoff berth.
Los Angeles entered the day two games behind Oakland for the last wild-card spot. The Athletics, who came in trailing the first-place Rangers by four games in the AL West, were playing the Seattle Mariners late Tuesday.
Texas' magic number remains at three to clinch its third straight division crown. The Rangers need one more victory to lock up a postseason spot.
Weaver (20-4) gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings to beat Texas for the fourth straight time this season. He is the Angels' first 20-game winner since Bartolo Colon had 21 in 2005.
Trout homered on the sixth pitch of the game out to the grassy area beyond the wall in center, his fifth starting off a game since Aug. 18.
The dynamic Angels rookie also set a club record by scoring his 125th run this season on that blast. It breaks the mark of 124 runs scored by Vladimir Guerrero in 2004.
Dempster (12-8) dropped to 7-3 since he was acquired from the Chicago Cubs on July 31. Two of those losses have come this month to the Angels, who have won six of seven overall.
Chris Iannetta hit a solo shot in the third for Los Angeles, and slumping outfielder Mark Trumbo had three RBIs and saved at least one run with a nice catch in left.
Nelson Cruz hit a solo shot in the seventh and Adrian Beltre hit a two-run homer in the eighth that brought the Rangers within 7-4.
With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, right fielder Torii Hunter played Cruz's drive off the wall and threw him out at second trying to stretch it to a double.
Ernesto Frieri pitched a perfect ninth to pick up his 22nd save in 25 chances.
Weaver had struggled on the road against the Rangers in his career. He came into the game with a 3-7 record and a 5.05 ERA lifetime in Arlington, including a loss where he gave up eight runs on May 13.
The lanky right-hander, who struck out five and walked two, was pretty much in control from the start Friday. Weaver also got some help from two nice defensive plays.
With two men on base, Trumbo made a twisting catch on the warning track of Mike Napoli's drive to end the second.
Third baseman Alberto Callaspo leaned onto a short wall and lunged into the stands to snag Ian Kinsler's pop in the third.
Dempster yielded seven hits and four runs in 5 2-3 innings, his third start against the Angels this season. Trout and Iannetta's homers off Dempster gave the Angels a 2-0 lead.
Trumbo, who had been hitting .175 since Aug. 1 had an RBI double in the fourth and then added another run-scoring double with two outs in the sixth to make it 4-1.
Los Angeles extended its lead to 7-1 with three runs in the seventh, which was capped by Trumbo's RBI single.
Notes: Texas RHP Mike Adams had an MRI Friday and was diagnosed with a mild cervical strain. Adams, who has been battling soreness near his right shoulder, said he will be sidelined indefinitely. He allowed three home runs in the eighth inning of Texas' 9-7 victory over Oakland on Thursday. . Los Angeles DH Kendrys Morales left in the eighth with right rib soreness. . Trout also set the Angels rookie record for hits in a season with 173. Wally Joyner had the record with 172 hits in 1986. . Los Angeles righty Ervin Santana (9-12) will oppose Texas left-hander Derek Holland (11-6) on Saturday.
