Teixeira's extra-inning long ball helps Rangers avoid sweep

Jul 15, 2007, 23:50 GMT

Anaheim, CA - Mark Teixeira smacked a lead-off home run in the 11th inning that lifted the Texas Rangers over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 5-4, to avoid a sweep in the final matchup of the three-game series.

'What you saw Mark [Teixeira] do today is what we know he can do,' Texas manager Ron Washington said. 'He can hit it over the defense.'

With the score knotted at four, the Rangers got the winning run in the top of the 11th on Teixeira's homer to right field on a full count off reliever Justin Speier (0-1).

'It was a backdoor splitter, and it was up,' Teixeira said. 'We fought hard today. I like the way we battled back. Our relievers were awesome against a good team. I feel great.'

Ramon Vazquez finished 2-for-4 and scored twice for the Rangers, who won just their second game in six tries. Brandon McCarthy, who has still not tasted victory since May 20th, allowed four runs - three earned - on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts over six innings. C.J. Wilson (1-1) got the final out of the 10th, and Eric Gagne tossed a perfect 11th for his 13th save of the season.

'I felt strong the first three innings,' McCarthy said. 'I made some mistakes today, and I can't let that happen. I could have been more aggressive. At least I was able to take us to the sixth.'

Chone Figgins went 3-for-4 with two RBI and also scored a run for Anaheim, which has split its last six games. Figgins also stole three bases to break the Angels' record for all-time steals of 186 previously held by Rangers first base coach Gary Pettis, who tipped his cap toward Figgins from the dugout after the record-breaker.

Jered Weaver, looking to snap out of a personal two-game losing skid, allowed two unearned runs on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts over seven innings for LA.

Trailing 4-2, the Rangers tied the score in the eighth off reliever Scot Shields. Vazquez led off with a double and scored on a two-out double by Teixeira, who followed right behind on another two-bagger by Marlon Byrd.

The Angels loaded the bases in the home half with one out, but Joaquin Benoit stopped the bleeding by getting pinch-hitter Maicer Izturis and Jeff Mathis to pop out.

Texas plated a run in the third when Vazquez singled, moved to second on Kenny Lofton's walk, and scored as Michael Young grounded into a forceout.

LA answered with a run in the bottom half, as Reggie Willits walked, stole second, and came home on Figgins' single.

The Rangers scored another run in the fourth, as Byrd lined a lead-off single, moved to second on Frank Catalanotto's sac bunt, and scored on Adam Melhuse's single courtesy of a Willits fielding error.

The Angels answered with three runs in the fifth. Mathis grounded a lead- off single before Willits laid down a bunt and reached on McCarthy's fielding error. Figgins followed with an RBI single, then stole second before Willits scored on Orlando Cabrera's sacrifice fly. Vladimir Guerrero's double then plated Figgins to give the Angels a two-run lead.

Game Notes

The Angels again played without second baseman Howie Kendrick, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a fractured left index finger. To take his spot, Los Angeles recalled infielder Brandon Wood, who ended 0-for-3, from Triple-A Salt Lake...The Angels have taken nine of the 13 overall meetings between these divisional foes so far this season and swept a three- game set from Texas at home to begin the 2007 campaign. Since the start of the 2005 season, the Rangers have gone just 6-18 at Angel Stadium.

© 2007 The Sports Network

Game Notes

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