Angels Keep Sliding, 5-4

Rafael Palmeiro hit two home runs, including a tiebreaking drive in the eighth inning, to lead the Texas Rangers over the Angels, 5-4, Saturday night.

Starter Matt Wise gave up four runs and seven hits in five-plus innings for the Angels, who have lost seven of eight and were eliminated from playoff contention Friday. Wise gave up two homers, giving him nine in eight appearances this season.

“He needs to throw with command,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “I don’t think the home runs bother us too much unless he’s walking guys ahead of them or going deep in counts.”

Palmeiro hit a two-run homer in the third off Wise and broke a 4-4 tie in the eighth against Mike Holtz (1-2) with his 44th homer this season. Palmeiro, who had been tied with Dave Kingman for 25th on the career list, has 444 homers, eight shy of Carl Yastrzemski.

Palmeiro is within sight of Alex Rodriguez (47) for the team home run lead. Rodriguez failed to homer Saturday night after hitting six in his previous eight games.

Ranger Manager Jerry Narron will make extensive use of Palmeiro as a designated hitter during the rest of the season rather than play him at first base, Palmeiro’s regular position. Narron wants to take a good look at rookie first baseman Carlos Pena.

“I think I’m good enough defensively to be a complete player and not just a DH,” said Palmeiro, who has 16 homers in his last 31 games. “But I understand that right now they want to see Carlos Pena. I don’t have a problem with that.”

The Angels took a 3-0 lead in the first on Aaron Myette’s run-scoring wild pitch and Troy Glaus’ two-run homer, his 39th. The drive went off the top of the left-field wall.

Rodriguez hit an RBI double in the bottom half and Palmeiro’s first homer tied it, 3-3.

David Eckstein put the Angels back in the lead in the fifth with an RBI single, but Ruben Sierra knotted the score again with a seventh-inning homer.

Myette gave up four runs and seven hits in seven innings. Pat Mahomes (6-6) pitched the final 1 1/3innings for the victory.