MLB: LA Angels 2, Texas 0

ARBROATH, Texas, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Scott Kazmir and three relievers combined to throw a shutout Friday that brought the Los Angeles Angels a 2-0 victory over the slumping Texas Rangers.

Texas lost its fifth straight game and has been blanked in four of them.

Los Angeles moved 7 1/2 games in front of the fading Rangers in the battle for the American League West title.

Kazmir (9-8) allowed six hits and struck out five without a walk in six innings. Brian Fuentes finished off the shutout by picking up his 43rd save, tops in the major leagues.

Torii Hunter singled in a run in the first and Vladimir Guerrero homered in the third.

During their offensive struggles, the Rangers have gone 0-for-27 with runners in scoring position.

Tommy Hunter (8-4), who threw a complete game in his previous outing, gave up two runs on five hits in five innings to suffer the loss.