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Ryan Wins No. 313, Then Abbott Gets 17th : Baseball: Angels get a split in Texas as Harvey picks up his 40th save. Finley is knocked around in opener.

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From Associated Press

Nolan Ryan picked up his 313rd career victory in the opener, then Jim Abbott celebrated his 24th birthday by winning the second game Thursday and giving the Angels a doubleheader split with the Texas Rangers.

Dean Palmer homered in both games for Texas. The Rangers won the first game, 10-3, then the Angels bounced back to win, 5-2.

Ryan (11-6) struck out seven in six innings. He gave up three runs on six hits while working in a light mist and 63-degree weather.

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He is one victory from tying Gaylord Perry for 13th on the all-time list. Ryan’s fastball was measured in the low- and mid-90-m.p.h. range most of the game.

“You want to come back and finish strong coming off the injury like I did,” Ryan said.

Ryan was on the disabled list twice this season, not that anyone would know it from his latest performance.

“When I’m questioned about Nolan this winter, I can say I saw him with his velocity at the end of the year,” Texas Manager Bobby Valentine said. “His fastball is there.”

Angel Manager Buck Rodgers said he hadn’t seen Ryan up close since his National League days.

“He’s amazing,” Rodgers said. “I haven’t seen him since he was in Houston. Any time a 44-year-old man can throw a fastball like he can in the majors it’s unbelievable.”

Chuck Finley (17-9) lasted only four innings, yielding five runs on six hits and six walks.

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Abbott (17-9) pitched 7 2/3 innings and gave up six hits in the second game, including home runs by Rafael Palmeiro and Palmer.

Bryan Harvey finished for his 40th save, increasing his club record. Max Venable drove in two runs with singles for the Angels, who had 13 hits. Kevin Brown (9-11) was the losing pitcher.

The opener was tied, 3-3, in the fifth inning when Finley walked Julio Franco and Ruben Sierra. They pulled off a double steal and Juan Gonzalez hit a two-run single.

Sierra hit a two-run double during a four-run sixth inning, making it 9-3. Kevin Reimer hit his 18th home run of the season in the eighth.

Franco is leading the American League with a .338 average. Palmeiro is at .326.

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