ARLINGTON, Texas, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Nelson Cruz drove in six runs, David Murphy hit a grand slam and Texas broke out of a slump with 18 hits Friday in downing the Los Angeles Angels 11-7.
The Rangers had lost six of their previous eight games and seen their seven-game lead over the Angels in the American League West dwindle to two. This victory boosted the advantage back to three and halted the six-game Los Angeles winning streak.
Texas piled up an 11-0 lead before the Angels warmed up against the Rangers' bullpen.
Cruz doubled home two runs in the second, hit a solo shot in the fourth and then smashed a three-run homer in the sixth to complete the Texas scoring.
Murphy hit his grand slam in the fifth to put the Rangers in front 7-0.
Texas got to Dan Haren (13-7) for six earned runs on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings. Haren had not lost a game since July 15.
Russell Branyan hit a three-run homer for the Angels in the eighth and Howie Kendrick had a two-run shot in the ninth.
Derek Holland (12-5) went 6 2/3 innings to get the victory. He gave up a run on eight hits and struck out six.
