The Angels scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning to complete a thrilling 11-10 comeback win over the Rangers on Sunday.
Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella hit a two-out single to score the tying run and the go-ahead run in the ninth inning. He finished the game 3 for 5 with three RBIs and gave Los Angeles another shot at a postseason berth.
MORE: MLB playoff scenarios
The Rangers, on the other hand, had a chance to clinch the division before the meltdown. Closer Shawn Tolleson gave up back to back home runs to Erick Aybar and Kole Calhoun to cut Texas' lead from four to two to start the ninth inning. Ross Ohlendorf came in for Tolleson, who was pitching for the fifth straight day, and he gave up five hits and watched his team's lead slowly crumble.
"When you're down like that, you know it's a long road ahead," Calhoun said, via MLB.com. "A lot of things have to go our way in that ninth inning, and we had some great at-bats right there. But nobody's going to quit. We have to come out tomorrow and win another baseball game. Like I said, great effort by everybody."
The Rangers can still clinch the AL West with a win on Sunday, something third baseman Adrian Beltre acknowledged despite being disappointed with the loss.
"It's tough to swallow," Beltre said. "Going into the ninth inning with a four-run lead, end up losing the game -- it's a tough one. But we have another game tomorrow, so we have to forget about this one."
The Astros beat the Diamondbacks 6-2 Saturday to remain one game behind the Rangers for the AL West title, and one game ahead of the Angels for the final wild-card spot. This is where things get confusing.
If Houston wins Sunday and the Rangers lose, the two teams will play Monday for the division title while the loser takes on the Yankees in the wild card game on Tuesday. If the Astros lose and the Angels win, the two teams will compete in a play-in game for the final wild-card spot, and a trip to Yankees Stadium to face the Yankees.
Star Performers:
AL:
Astros outfielder Colby Rasmus and second baseman Jose Altuve combined for five hits, four runs scored, three home runs and four RBIs in a 6-2 win against the Diamondbacks.
Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain went 3 for 4 with two runs scored, an RBI and a walk to help Kansas City beat the Twins 5-1.
NL:
Zack Greinke isn't ready to give the NL Cy Young award to Jake Arrieta just yet. The Dodgers hurler tossed eight innings of one-run ball in a 2-1 win against the Padres.
Nationals ace Max Scherzer became the first person to throw two no-hitters in the same season since Nolan Ryan accomplished the feat 1973 when he blanked the Mets 2-0. Scherzer's 17 strikeouts also tied Ryan for the most since 1900 in a no-hit effort.
Plays of the Day:
Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich went 8 for 9 with with three runs scored, two RBIs and a walk in a doubleheader against the Phillies:
Just a @ChristianYelich hit parade. pic.twitter.com/7X2ip3xMo9
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) October 4, 2015George Springer lays out to rob Aaron Hill:
A Look Ahead: (All times Eastern)
Angels (85-76) at Rangers (87-74) 3:05 p.m.: An Angels win and Astros loss would force a play-in game for the AL Wild Card game. The Rangers need to win too, however, to clinch the AL West. Texas will send Cole Hamels (12-8, 3.72) to the mound to face off against Garrett Richards (15-11, 3.62).
Astros (86-75) at Diamondbacks (78-83) 3:10 p.m.: The Astros could either moves into a tie for the division with a win, or compete in a play-in game against the Angels with a loss and Los Angeles win.
Royals (94-67) at Twins (83-78) 3:10 p.m.: It's pretty simple for the Royals: if they win, they have home field advantage throughout the playoffs, including the World Series. If they lose, they're at the mercy of the Blue Jays, who own the tiebreaker and would overtake the Royals for the No. 1 seed with a win and a Royals loss.