ARLINGTON, Texas, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland keyed a four-run seventh inning Thursday that carried the Texas Rangers past the division-rival Los Angeles Angels 15-9.
Moreland broke an 8-8 tie with a flare to shallow center field that was just deep enough to get Michael Young in from second base. The Rangers tacked on three more runs in the eighth to put the game on ice and earn a split in the high-stakes four-game series.
Young, Ian Kinsler and Geovany Soto had two RBI apiece for the Rangers, who outhit the Halos 18-13.
The outcome left the first place Rangers 4 1/2 games ahead of Oakland and five games ahead of the Angels in the AL West. The A's beat Toronto 4-1 Thursday.
Roy Oswalt (4-2) earned the win with two scoreless innings in relief of Rangers starter Ryan Dempster.
Dempster was rattled in his American League debut for eight runs on nine hits over 4 2/3 innings.
David Carpenter (1-2) took the loss for Los Angeles. Albert Pujols, Torii Hunter and Alberto Callaspo had two RBI apiece for LA.
