When the Rangers beat the Angels 9-2 Sunday, a lot of dominos fell in quick succession.
The win clinched the AL West title for the Rangers, eliminated the Angels and put the Astros in the playoffs for the first time since 2005. The Angels got off to an early 2-1 lead over the Rangers when Albert Pujols blasted his 560th career home run in the first inning, but Texas responded with two runs in the fifth inning and six runs in the seventh to blow the game open.
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"What we went through to get to this point, unbelievable," first baseman Mitch Moreland said, via MLB.com. "We went through a lot of adversity just to come out to where we are on the last game of the season. It's unbelievable."
Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre went 2 for 4 with two runs scored, a home run and three RBIs to lead his team to its first postseason trip since 2012, and their first AL West title since 2011.
Cole Hamels, who was traded to the Rangers from the Phillies before the July 31 trade deadline, tossed a complete game, allowing two runs and striking out eight to secure the win.
Despite losing 5-3 to the Diamondbacks Sunday, the Astros clinched the final wild-card spot when the Rangers toppled the Angels. Heading into the day, the Astros were one game behind the Rangers for the AL West crown, but only one game ahead of the Angels for the final wild-card spot. Had the Angels won, the two teams would have competed in a play-in game Monday.
Instead, the Astros will head to Yankees Stadium Tuesday to play in the AL wild-card game, and the Rangers have a date with the Blue Jays in the ALDS.
Playoff Picture:
AL:
Wild-card game: Astros at Yankees, Tuesday, 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
ALDS Game 1: Rangers at Blue Jays, Thursday, TBD
ALDS Game 2 : Wild-card game winner at Royals, Thursday, TBD
NL:
Wild-card game: Cubs at Pirates, Wednesday, 8 p.m.: ET on TBS
NLDS Game 1: Mets at Dodgers, Friday, TBD
NLDS Game 2: Wild-card game winner at Cardinals, Friday, TBD
Star Performers:
AL:
Royals catcher Salvador Perez went 2 for 3 with two runs scored, a home run and two RBIs in 6-1 win against the Twins. The win secured home field advantage throughout the postseason for the Royals.
NL:
Pirates third baseman Josh Harrison went 3 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI in a 4-0 win against the Reds. First baseman Pedro Alvarez added a solo home run.
Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager went 3 for 3 with a solo shot to help Los Angeles beat the Padres 6-3.
Plays of the Day:
Pedro Alvarez hits a 479-foot bomb:
Yes, that's Ichiro pitching:
Reactions:
"This is a special time of the year," said Mike Napoli, via MLB.com . "We've got something to play for. We got a nice win today, we're going to enjoy it tonight, and then get out there again. It's all about winning."