Andruw's three homers put Texas in first

ANAHEIM: Andruw Jones hit three home runs and pushed the Rangers back into first place in an 8-1 victory over the Angels on Wednesday night.

Marlon Byrd and Taylor Teagarden also hit home runs for the Rangers as they took two of three from the Angels and now have a one-game lead in the American League West. The Rangers close out the first half with a four-game series against the Mariners this weekend in Seattle.

Rangers starter Vicente Padilla allowed one run on seven hits in six innings to get the victory. He is now 7-4 with a 4.53 ERA on the season. Padilla left with a bruised right hand getting hit by Howie Kendrick's ground ball back to the mound. The injury is not considered serious and Padilla isn't scheduled to start until after the All-Star break anyway.

The Rangers have now won seven of their last eight games and are 11 games over .500 for only the second time this season. They were 30-19 on May 30. The Rangers are also 7-2 against the Angels and 17-5 against the American League West.

Source: mlb.com