Angels Beat Rangers, 3-1, and Wait on Royals : Jackson Homers to Keep Slim Hopes Alive

The Angels wanted to make sure they didn’t lose it. And they didn’t.

Still they had to wait around Saturday night to see if there would be a Sunday.

The Angels, who managed only four hits off Texas’ Matt Williams and Ricky Wright in their 3-1 victory over Texas, stayed alive in the battle for the American League West, pending the outcome of first-place Kansas City’s game with Oakland at night. The day began with California needing to win its final two games of the season to have any chance at the American League West title. The Royals had to lose their last two.

“I was down last night,” said California manager Gene Mauch, whose club lost to the Rangers 6-0 Friday night.

“We weren’t our own boss. And we still aren’t, of course. But crazier things have happened.”

When asked whether he would listen to a broadcast of the Royals-A’s game, Mauch said: “I might do that.”

Reggie Jackson put the Angels in front, 2-0, in the first inning with his 530th career home run, which boosted his career RBI total to 1,601. It was is 27th home run of the year and the 42nd career homer against the Rangers--the most hit by one player against Texas.

The only other California run came on a home run by Doug DeCinces in the sixth inning, his 20th of the season.

Texas’ only run came in the seventh with Wayne Tolleson reaching on a walk, stealing second and coming in on a single by Pete O’Brien.

John Candelaria, despite feeling tightness in his throwing arm from the opening moments of the game, went five innings for the win, boosting his record to 7-3. Williams fell to 2-1.

“We didn’t get many hits,” said Mauch, “but the ones we got were beauties.

“And Candelaria did a great job. Whenever he pitches in cold weather, like he did in Kansas City earlier this week, his arm tends to tighten up.

“It was that way from the start today. But he stuck with it.”

Donnie Moore went the last two innings to record his 31st save of the season, tying him with Willie Hernandez for second in the American League behind Kansas City’s Dan Quisenberry.

“I threw the ball well today,” Williams said. “But two pitches killed me. I made a bad pitch to Reggie in the first inning and hung a slider to DeCinces on the ball he hit out. If I had thrown the ball in the dirt it might have been a different at bat.”