Anaheim, CA (Best E Casino) - Mike Napoli had three hits, including a solo home run, two doubles and four RBI as the
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim defeated the
Texas Rangers, 7-0, to avoid a season-ending three-game sweep.
Gary Matthews Jr. finished with three hits, an RBI and three runs scored, while Reggie Willits and Kendry Morales chipped in with an RBI apiece for the Angels, who split their final six games. Los Angeles, which is heading to postseason play after winning the American League West division title and finished the regular season with a franchise-best and MLB-best 100 wins. The team dropped 62 games.
The Angels will square off against the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox in the American League Division Series, slated to start Wednesday at 10 p.m. (et) in Anaheim.
Joe Saunders (17-7) earned the victory after working six innings. The lefty allowed only two hits and struck out nine without issuing a walk. He picked up his third consecutive win and improved to 3-3 against Texas this season.
"I felt good today, almost too good," Saunders said about his outing.
German Duran, Marlon Byrd and Nelson Cruz accounted for the Rangers' only hits. Despite the loss Texas (79-83) won four of its last five to close out the season.
Kevin Millwood (9-10) suffered the loss after giving up five runs -- four earned -- on nine hits over six innings. The veteran right-hander struck out six and walked one. He has not earned a win since August 31.
Anaheim got on the board in the bottom of the second when Napoli's two-out double brought home Matthews, who singled, to give the Angels the early edge.
Napoli's solo homer to left in the fifth made it a 2-0 game. It got worse for the Rangers in the sixth when Matthews singled home a run and Napoli drove in two more to up Anaheim's lead to 5-0.
A sacrifice fly by Willits and bases-loaded walk to Morales in the eighth stretched the lead to seven. Scot Shields came on for the top of the ninth and struck out the side to end the game.
"It's been a tough season, but despite everything we've been through, I'm really proud of this team." Rangers manager Ron Washington said.
Game Notes
Attendance was 43,761...The Angels finished 11-8 against Texas this season and improved to 25-13 against their AL West opponent since the start of the 2005 campaign at Angel Stadium...LA stranded nine runners on base, while Texas left three.
