MLB: Texas 8, LA Angeles 7 (2nd game)

Posted on Oct 1, 2012 in Sports | 0 comments

Mike Napoli hit two homers Sunday and Texas clinched a post-season berth with an 8-7 win over the Los Angeles Angels in Game 2 of a doubleheader.

Napoli’s solo shot in the second inning cut the Rangers’ early deficit to 4-3 and his three-run blast in the next frame put Texas ahead to stay.

The Texas catcher added a two-run double to finish with six RBI for the American League West-leading Rangers, who assured themselves of at least a wild-card berth.

Derek Holland (12-6) was notched the victory despite coughing up seven runs on 12 hits through 6 2/3 innings.

Joe Nathan collected his 37th save for Texas, which dropped Sunday’s first game 5-4 when Nathan gave up a two-run double to Torii Hunter.

Ervin Santana (9-13) was roughed up for six runs on seven hits over just 2 2/3 innings for Los Angeles, which saw its playoff hopes dim with the defeat.

The Angels now need to win their final three games and see the Oakland lose its last three to tie the A’s for a post-season berth.

Howie Kendrick belted a three-run homer and Mark Trumbo went 3-for-5 with a two-run blast for Los Angeles.

Copyright 2012 by United Press International