Angels beat Texas Rangers, 7-3, for eighth win in a row

KEY MOMENT: Mike Morin entered with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth inning and got Elvis Andrus to ground back to the mound on his first pitch, preserving a 4-1 Angels lead.

AT THE PLATE: Erick Aybar hit a two-run homer to right in the second, David Freese hit a clutch two-out, two-run single to center in the third, and pinch-hitter Grant Green stroked a two-out, two-run single to center in the eighth for a 7-2 lead. One night after coming within a homer of his first-ever cycle, Albert Pujols struck out four times for the first time in his 14-year career.

ON THE MOUND: Cory Rasmus gave up one run and two hits, including Leonys Martin’s leadoff homer in the first, the start of an eight-man bullpen relay effort in place of injured starter Garrett Richards. The Angels are 3-1 in Richards’ spot. “We’ve adapted,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “We don’t have a legitimate fifth starter, so it’s going to be a bullpen day.”

EYE FOR AN EYE: Mike Trout was hit in the left triceps by Nick Martinez pitches twice, hurling his bat in disgust after being drilled for the second time in the fifth inning. Trout was also hit in the left arm Wednesday. “I’m sure Martinez isn’t trying to hit him, but you can’t pitch inside with reckless abandon,” Scioscia said. “You have to have the command to do it. You have to throw responsibly in there.” Martinez said he was “establishing the fastball inside, and it got away from me. I understand the frustration, but it was not on purpose.” Angels reliever Joe Smith hit catcher Tomas Telis with a pitch in the ninth, and both dugouts were warned, but there were no further incidents. “It’s baseball,” Smith said. “People get hit, you move on, everyone’s OK, nothing was intentional.”

PLAYING IT SAFE: A large division lead allowed the Angels to hold Huston Street (tight right hamstring) out for a fifth straight game. Josh Hamilton (right shoulder injury) missed his seventh straight game and is doubtful for this weekend.

EXTRA BASES: C.J. Cron has been slowed for three days by a wrist injury, but Scioscia said he would likely play this weekend, when Houston starts two left-handers. … Reliever Joe Thatcher (left ankle sprain) had his simulated game pushed back from Thursday to Friday.

UP NEXT: Left-hander C.J. Wilson (11-9, 4.64 ERA) will oppose Houston left-hander Brett Oberholtzer (5-10, 4.38 ERA) at Angel Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m. On the air: TV: FS West. Radio: 710, 830, 1330.