Pujols Blasts 2 Homers As Angels Beat Texas

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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Albert Pujols hit two home runs and Jered Weaver won his eighth straight start, leading the Los Angeles Angels over the Texas Rangers 6-2 Tuesday night.

Mike Trout also homered as Los Angeles beat the AL West leaders for the second straight day. The charging Angels and Rangers have two games left in the series.

Weaver (14-1) gave up two runs and five hits in 6 1-3 innings. He became the eighth AL pitcher since 1921 to win at least six games without a loss in July.

Weaver has a 2.01 ERA during his winning streak, including a victory on July 15 in which he gave up five runs to the Yankees.

Derek Holland (7-6) took the loss. Earlier in the day, Texas acquired Chicago Cubs ace Ryan Dempster in a deal shortly before the trade deadline.

Pujols, Trout and Torii Hunter each drove in two runs. Trout scored twice and tied the major league rookie record for runs in July with 32 — he has scored 80 in 81 games this season.

Pujols hit a solo home run in the fourth and another in the Angels’ three-run sixth that increased Los Angeles’ lead to 4-0. He has 20 home runs this season and 43rd career multihomer games.

Holland didn’t help himself, walking No. 9 hitter Chris Iannetta to begin the sixth. Trout hit his 18th homer, sending a drive into the Angels’ bullpen in left-center field, and Pujols homered one out later.

Holland has served up seven home runs in his past three starts.

Hunter’s two-run double in the seventh extended the Angels’ lead to 6-0.

David Murphy hit a two-run double after singles by Josh Hamilton and Michael Young in the Texas seventh. Weaver was pulled after Murphy’s hit.

The Rangers had a chance to get to Weaver in the sixth when they put two runners on with no outs. But Ian Kinsler popped out and Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre grounded out.

NOTES: Angels slugger Mark Trumbo returned to the lineup as the designated hitter. He missed Monday’s game because of a muscle spasm in his rib cage. Out of the lineup was Kendrys Morales, who had two home runs and six RBIs in the sixth inning of the Angels’ victory Monday. … Angels manager Mike Scioscia confirmed that pitcher Dan Haren (stiffness in his side) will miss his start Wednesday, but “possibly” return to start Sunday. … The Angels placed LHP Scott Downs on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained left shoulder. LHP Hisanori Takahashi was promoted from Triple-A. … RHP Yu Darvish (11-7) starts for Texas on Wednesday night vs. RHP Garrett Richards (3-2).