ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – Pinch-hitter David Murphy drove a bases-loaded single into left field to end it, and the Los Angeles Angels kept the pressure on in the AL wild-card race with their sixth consecutive victory, 5-4 over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night.
Albert Pujols tied it with his 558th career homer in the sixth inning for the Angels, who have won nine of 11 during their majors-best 17-8 performance in September
Johnny Giavotella and Erick Aybar had early run-scoring doubles as the Angels (82-74) remained a half-game behind the Houston Astros (83-74), who won at Seattle, and one game ahead of the Minnesota Twins (81-75), who beat Cleveland.
Los Angeles also closed within just two games of the AL West-leading Rangers (84-72), who lost to Detroit. The Angels finish the season with four games at Texas.