Blalock's blast gives Rangers 9-7 victory

[July 02, 2009]  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Hank Blalock's second homer of the game, a two-run shot with two outs in the ninth inning, gave Texas a 9-7 victory over Los Angeles on Wednesday night and moved the Rangers within one-half game of the Angels in the AL West.

Juan Rivera's three-run homer with two outs in the top of the ninth off Frank Francisco (2-1) tied the game at 7-all as the Angels erased a six-run deficit.

Michael Young singled off Justin Speier (3-2) leading off the Texas ninth. David Murphy dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Young to second and Marlon Byrd struck out.

Blalock, who homered in the fourth, hit the first pitch into the grassy area beyond the fence in center field.

Texas improved to 5-1 against Los Angeles this season. The teams meet again for a three-game set next week in Los Angeles.

The Angels scored three runs in both the seventh and ninth to tie the game.

Bobby Abreu and Torii Hunter walked with one out in the ninth. After Vladimir Guerrero fouled out to first, Rivera drove a 2-0 pitch into the Rangers bullpen in right to tie the score at 7.

Francisco pitched the ninth in a save situation for the first time since coming off the disabled list June 20.

Texas starter Kevin Millwood, who went 4-1 with a 1.30 ERA in June, gave up four runs and eight hits in 6 1-3 innings.

Angels starter Jered Weaver allowed seven runs, the most he's given up this season, and eight hits in 5 1-3 innings. The right-hander, who had won five of his last six starts, saw his ERA climb from 2.65 to 3.10.

The Rangers scored five runs in the sixth to take a 7-1 lead.

Julio Borbon batted for Nelson Cruz, who left the game with a stiff lower back, and drove a single to center to put Texas on top 3-1.

Texas added runs on a wild pitch and Chris Davis' grounder. Young and Murphy capped the sixth with consecutive RBI singles that gave the Rangers a six-run lead.

Chone Figgins had an RBI triple and Hunter had a two-run double that made it 7-4. Darren O'Day relieved Millwood and walked Guerrero.

Guerrero was caught stealing second, one of four times an Angels runner was thrown out on the bases, and Rivera popped out to center to end the seventh.

NOTES: Angels manager Mike Scioscia said he's still planning on activating RHP Ervin Santana for a weekend start against Baltimore, with Friday night the probable target date. Santana has been out since June 12 with right forearm stiffness. ... Byrd was 6 of 12 with three home runs and six RBIs in the series. ... The Nick Adenhart Memorial Fund made a $5,000 donation to Halfway, Md., Little League on Wednesday. It was the first donation from the charitable fund named for the Angels pitcher who was killed in a car accident April 9.

[Associated Press; By DAVID JIMENEZ]

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