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Staying alive: Angels stun Rangers with five-run ninth-inning rally

It was a tale of two baseball teams with two completely different mindsets entering the ninth inning at Globe Life Park.

On one side, the Los Angeles Angels' season was hanging by a thread after they'd blown a four-run lead and entered the final frame now trailing by four runs themselves. On the other side, the Texas Rangers readied for a celebration, needing just three outs to clinch the AL West title.

Amazingly, by the time that decisive ninth inning ended, the scripts had completely flipped. It was the Angels celebrating their new found hope after rallying to win 11-10. And it was the Rangers who were now dejected, realizing their grip on the division title wasn't as strong as it appeared.

There are two sides to the story, but this is a case where both sides tell the complete truth. The Angels took this game away from the Rangers, but the Rangers also did everything in their power to give it away.

The inning started with closer Shawn Tolleson allowing back-to-back home runs to Erick Aybar and Kole Calhoun. Tolleson threw the pitches. Tolleson said he was ready to go. But manager Jeff Banister also knew he was pitching in his fifth straight game. Was it wise to put him out there under any circumstances, let alone with the division title in their grasp? Probably not, but that was the decision made.

That decision started the fire. After Ross Ohlendorf — he of one career save — entered and retired Mike Trout, the fuel was added when Mike Napoli and Rougned Odor mishandled an Albert Pujols pop fly into short right field. What could have been the second out, ended up dropping for a key double. That opened the door, and the Angels marched right through. After David Murphy struck out, the Angels got consecutive two-out singles from C.J. Cron, David Freese, Carlos Perez and Johnny Giavotella, with the latter two tying the game and giving Los Angeles the lead.

The unbelievable turn of events left Globe Life Park in stunned silence. A once festive atmosphere had been reduced to audible helmet slaps and high-fives happening in the Angels' dugout. It was like reliving the nightmare of the Rangers' dramatic collapse in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, and the presence of David Freese didn't help.

Like that day, the Rangers did have a chance to rebound and right their wrongs. Elvis Andrus got a little something going in the bottom half of the ninth inning, lining a single with two outs. But just as quickly, he was wiped away after oversliding second base on a stolen base attempt.

A fitting ending if there ever was one to this crazy game. The play captured just how close the Angels were to being eliminated, while also capturing what a disastrous mess the game had become for Texas. So close to the division title, yet it slid right past the Rangers.

It's amazing the difference an inning can make, but that was the story on Saturday. Now both teams focus on the Houston Astros, who play Saturday evening in Arizona.

If Houston loses, the Rangers will win the division anyway. If Houston wins, Texas will need a win on Sunday (or another Houston loss), and it may not have any fresh relievers available.  

If Houston loses, the Angels will be tied for the second wild-card spot heading into Sunday. If Houston wins, the Angels will be very thankful they won Saturday, because they'll still have one more chance to draw even on Sunday.

Believe us, the Astros knew what was at stake here too, and they were watching in as much amazement as everyone else.

We're in for a meaningful Sunday in the AL West, that much is sure. And we're guessing the league couldn't be happier.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!