Rare Pujols triple leads Angels over Rangers 8-1

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:57 p.m. ET

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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 8-1 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.

Pujols' first-inning triple made Mike Trout the sixth player in major league history to score 100 runs in three seasons before turning 23. It was the first triple for Pujols since July 10, 2010, when he played for St. Louis.

In the third, Pujols' fly ball eluded a leaping Michael Choice and caromed off the right-field wall. Choice ran the ball down and threw to Elvis Andrus, who tagged Pujols trying to scramble back to second.

Pujols, who playfully tugged at Andrus' cap as he jogged back to the dugout, had a single in the fifth.

The Rangers intentionally walked Trout to load the bases for Pujols in the sixth, but he grounded into an inning-ending double play. Pujols reached on a throwing error by Andrus and scored in the eighth, and then grounded out to Andrus in the ninth.

Shoemaker, who broke a rookie wins record tied most recently by Frank Tanana in 1974, came close to pitching at least seven shutout innings for the fourth time in five starts. He came out after giving up Ryan Rua's RBI single with two outs in the seventh.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Angels: Josh Hamilton missed his sixth consecutive game with a sore right shoulder. He took two more injections Tuesday and woke up sore Wednesday. He hopes the injections will lead to dramatic improvement in the next couple of days, but there is no timetable for his return.

Rangers: C Robinson Chirinos could be back behind the plate Thursday night after missing nine games with neck stiffness. ... Manager Tim Bogar says it is likely OF Jake Smolinski (broken left foot) will play again this season. He has been on the disabled list since July 25.

UP NEXT

Angels: RHP Cory Rasmus (3-1, 2.81) will make his third straight start after 24 relief appearances to start the season. He threw three scoreless innings in a 2-0 win over Oakland on Aug. 30 before giving up two runs in 1 2-3 innings in an 8-5 win over Minnesota last week.

Rangers: Rookie RHP Nick Martinez (3-10, 5.03) is looking for his first win at home after nine previous appearances, including seven starts. He has a 6.81 ERA at home. He has allowed six hits in five straight starts, the second Texas pitcher to do that (Charlie Hough in 1982).