Angels Close Out Series

Texas splits the final two games of the three-game set against the Angels as Jered Weaver (above) out-dueled Cliff Lee in the rubber-match 4-1. (AP Photo/Christine Cotter)

With Josh Hamilton out of the lineup for two straight games due to tendinitis in his right knee, the Texas Rangers (61-44) struggled mightily on offense. The Los Angeles Angels (54-53) allowed only two earned runs in the final two games of the series as the Rangers struggled to get anything going at the plate. The Rangers were 3 for 14 with runners in scoring position during this time with it's only earned runs coming of the bat of Vladimir Guerrero, a two run homer that gave Texas a 2-1 win Saturday.

Saturdays' game was the lone bright spot, with the aforementioned two-run home run providing all of the offense and Rich Harden (W, 4-3) returning to the starting rotation looking as sharp as ever. Harden provided the Rangers with seven innings of one-run baseball on five hits, while striking out three and walking two. If Harden is able to pitch like he did in this game, reducing his walks and inducing more ground-ball outs (he had 11 in the win), this could be a huge plus for the Rangers down the stretch.

"He's reinvented himself," Angels' manager Mike Scioscia said. "He had that power fastball with a splitter. Now he's got a good changeup and he uses it effectively."

Sunday's match up featured a showdown between the American League leader in ERA (Lee) and the A.L. leader in strikeouts (Weaver). Lee got off to a rough start, allowing two runs in the first inning on a single and a fielder's choice. The Angels managed to string together some weakly-hit balls to get on the board early, as was the case the rest of the afternoon. Lee made it through eight innings, yet again, allowing four earned on nine hits for the game (and even an unintentional walk!), but it wasn't enough to get the W.

Weaver, on the other hand, kept the Rangers' offense at bay despite some sticky situations throughout. Texas loaded the bases with only one out in the third, and had runners on second and third with two outs in the seventh, but failed to score either time. For the game, Weaver went seven innings, striking out seven, allowing only one unearned run.

L.A. is now eight games behind Texas for first in the American League West. The split made sure the Angels stayed above .500 and, with seven of the last 14 games of the season against Texas, also sets up L.A. to at least be somewhat in contention at that point.

The schedule gets a little easier as Texas takes to the road, traveling to Seattle to take on the Mariners for a three-game set. Seattle is 39-67 for the year, worst in the A.L. West, and have lost seven straight games.

The game is scheduled for Tuesday night (after a day off Monday) with a 9:10 p.m. start time. Colby Lewis (9-7, 3.40 ERA) gets the start for Texas and Jason Vargas (6-5, 3.20) gets the nod for the Mariners.

News and Notes:

• Nelson Cruz career high 19-game hitting streak was snapped Sunday after an 0 for 4 outing.
• Texas is now 20-11 against the A.L. West this season.
• The Rangers finished July with a 14-13 record.

(Portions of this article were taken from The Associated Press)