ANAHEIM, Calif., Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Hank Blalock's first grand slam of the season, and the fifth of his career, led the Texas Rangers to an 8-7 victory Sunday over the Los Angeles Angels.
Ian Kinsler and Brad Wilkerson also homered for Texas, which won for the seventh time in its last eight games.
Rookie Kason Gabbard yielded five runs on five hits, with three strikeouts and five walks over six innings. Wes Littleton (3-1) gave up just one walk in two innings of relief to get the victory for Texas.
Jeff Mathis homered for the Angels. Robb Quinlan and Orlando Cabrera had two hits each, as LA lost its second straight.
John Lackey came up short in his bid to become the first 17-game winner in the majors this season. He allowed four runs on six hits, with two walks and eight strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings.
Scot Shields (3-5) blew a 5-4 lead and took the loss, after serving up Blalock's grand slam in the eighth.
The Angels maintained a 6 1/2 game lead over the Mariners in the AL West, since Seattle earlier dropped a 6-4 decision to the Blue Jays.
