ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – Albert Pujols hit a three-run homer to become the major league career leader in home runs by a player born outside the United States, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Texas Rangers 10-1 on Tuesday night.
Pujols hit his 19th homer of the season and the 610th of his career, snapping his tie with Sammy Sosa for eighth all-time.
Kaleb Cowart also hit a three-run homer, and Kole Calhoun had three hits and drove in two runs to keep the Angels a half-game back of the Minnesota Twins for the second AL wild card.
Rangers right-hander Tyson Ross (3-3) allowed three runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. Los Angeles righty Ricky Nolasco allowed a run over 4 2/3 innings, and Kenyan Middleton (5-1) followed with 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the victory.
The Angels have won 10 of their last 13 games and pounded out 16 hits Tuesday. Cowart’s home run came in the fifth to give the Angels a 6-1 lead. It was his third home run of the season.