Albert Pujols opened the scoring with his first triple in more than four years, rookie Matt Shoemaker had another strong start, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Texas Rangers 7-1 on Wednesday night.
Pujols almost made it two straight triples, only to change his mind as he rounded second. He was then tagged out trying to get back to the base and finished a home run shy of the cycle.
The AL West-leading Angels (90-55), who are nine games up on Oakland after the A's lost at the Chicago White Sox, were the first team in the majors to 90 wins with their season-high seventh straight victory.
Shoemaker (15-4) set a franchise rookie record for victories by winning his sixth straight decision.
Texas right-hander Nick Tepesch (4-10) has just one win in 12 starts.
