Hamels pitches Rangers to AL West title

Texas Rangers ace Cole Hamels wasn't leaving his team's shot at a division crown in the hands of his beleaguered bullpen.

The left-hander tossed a complete-game gem Sunday, less than 24 hours after his team's ninth-inning collapse, helping the Rangers capture their first AL West title since 2011 with a 9-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

Hamels was lights-out after allowing a two-run home run to Albert Pujols in the first inning, giving up just one hit over the next eight frames while striking out eight on the afternoon.

"This is how I play the game of baseball," Hamels said after the game. "It's to win and it's to play into October and November. I want to be out there for the last out no matter what. You go out there and try to seal the deal."

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

After Los Angeles starter Garrett Richards allowed three runs over six innings, the Rangers broke things open when Angels manager Mike Scioscia opted to go to his bullpen. Texas sent 10 men to the plate in the seventh, scoring six runs off four hits and three walks issued by five different Angels relievers.

With the loss, the Angels were eliminated from postseason contention, while the Rangers will open Game 1 of the ALDS on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday.

"This group is inspiring," Scioscia said following the loss. "The bleaker things looked, the brighter they shined. Nobody in that room has anything to hang their head about."