Rangers Beat Angels 5-2 After Losing Cruz to Suspension

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Adrian Beltre homered, Martin Perez pitched into the seventh inning, and the Texas Rangers beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-2 Monday night after losing All-Star outfielder Nelson Cruz to a 50-game suspension.

Jurickson Profar had a run-scoring hit for Texas, which has won seven of eight to move within two games of AL West leader Oakland.

After Cruz spoke about his doping suspension in a pregame meeting, the Rangers uniformly stood behind their longtime teammate. David Murphy took over in right field for Cruz, scoring two runs but also misplaying two balls.

Elvis Andrus got credit for a two-run triple in the fifth inning when Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick hyperextended his left knee while failing to catch Andrus' popup to the outfield.