ARLINGTON, Texas - It took the Los Angeles Angels 4 1/2 months to catch the Oakland Athletics and move into first place in the American League West. Albert Pujols and Howie Kendrick homered to give the Angels an early lead on the way to a 5-4 victory over the Texas Rangers on Saturday night. The Angels (72-49) are alone in first place in the AL West for the first time since 2011, but they are only two percentage points ahead the Athletics, who lost at Atlanta on Saturday. "We havent accomplished anything yet," Pujols said. "Lets not get too far ahead of ourselves. When we accomplish our goal, then we can talk about it." With his team in fifth place, Rangers manager Ron Washington talked about the division race. "I think its going to come down to who continues to pitch well," he said. The Angels finished 78-84 and in third place during an injury-plagued 2013 season. "It definitely feels good to be on the track we hoped to be on last year," manager Mike Scioscia said. One reason for their improvement to the best record in the major leagues is a better bullpen. Huston Street worked a scoreless ninth inning for his 33rd save in 34 opportunities. It was the second straight night the Rangers rallied before losing 5-4. Los Angeles has won nine in a row over Texas, tying the series record set during the 1985 season and matched a year later. Street hasnt allowed a run in 12 games with the Angels since being acquired from San Diego on July 18. "Hes just a bona fide closer," Scioscia said. "He has created an opportunity for us to shorten the game by moving (Kevin) Jepsen up to the seventh inning, and Joe Smith up to the eighth." Angels starter Matt Shoemaker (11-4) pitched three perfect innings before Shin-Soo Choo led off the fourth with a home run, but by that time, the Angels led 5-0. Kendrick added two singles in a 3-for-4 night. Kole Calhoun had a single and a double for the Angels, and Erick Aybar had two singles. Pujols hit a solo homer in the first against starter Colby Lewis (8-10). Kendrick hit another solo shot in the second. Los Angeles Chris Iannetta doubled home another run in the second, and Calhoun singled to drive in two more in the fourth. Both hits, like Pujols homer, were with two out. TRAINERS ROOM Angels: Los Angeles activated RHP Mike Morin (left foot laceration) from the disabled list. He pitched an inning in relief. Rangers: Rios made his fourth consecutive start after aggravating a sprained right ankle on Aug. 10. RHP Yu Darvish (inflamed elbow) wont travel with the team to Miami on Monday, and will continue treatment in Arlington. UP NEXT The teams three-game series concludes on Sunday. Angels LHP Hector Santiago (3-7, 5.84) defeated the Rangers 15-6 on July 10 in Arlington. Texas RHP Nick Tepesch (4-7, 4.29) last faced the Angels on July 11, when he lost 3-0. SLUMPING Rangers 1B J.P. Arencibia had been 0-for-19 before his run-scoring single in the fourth. RF Alex Rios was 0-for-16 before his two-run single in the seventh. LF Jim Adduci went 0-for-4, and is in an 0-for-20 slide. Angels CF Mike Trout went 0 for 5, extending his skid to 0 for 15. HOT HOT HOT Calhoun stretched his hitting streak to a season-high seven games. In six of those games, he has had multiple hits. He is batting .441 (15-for-34) during the streak. Calhoun has five RBIs in the series first two games. Texas CF Leonys Martin is 10-for-20 (.500) in his last five games, including two singles on Saturday. SUPERLATIVES Lewis struck out 10 batters for the first time since June 17, 2012. The 10-year veterans career high is 12, posted May 10, 2012. Kendricks home run was his ninth in Arlington — the most he has hit in any road ballpark. Max Pacioretty Jersey . -- J.R. Sweezy was the one part of the Seattle Seahawks offensive line that had avoided injuries or having to change positions this season. Colin Miller Jersey . Griffin scored 13 of his 31 points in the final 7:05 and Dudley got 11 of his 20 points in the third quarter, leading the defending Pacific Division champions to a 112-85 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night. "Dud is a shooter. http://www.officialgoldenknightspro.com/...knights-jersey/. They signed their first kicker. Ottawa inked Nick Setta, a 32-year-old native of Lockport, Illinois, to a contract. Oscar Lindberg Jersey . - Ryan Spooner scored twice to lead the Boston Bruins to a 6-1 victory over the New York Islanders in a preseason game Friday night. Reilly Smith Jersey . -- Steven Stamkos scored his first goal since returning from a major injury, Ryan Callahan had his first goal with Tampa Bay, and the Lightning beat the Florida Panthers 5-4 on Thursday night.TORONTO - Ryan Miller sat on the bench and didnt look up. Already chased from the game, he had to listen to the call of Sidney Crosby beating him for the gold medal at the Olympics four years ago as it was replayed on the Air Canada Centres video screen.It was just that kind of night for Miller and the Vancouver Canucks, who carried the play but left with a hard-luck 5-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.I just didnt make the saves the guys needed, said Miller, who got the hook after allowing four goals on 14 shots.The Canucks out-shot the Leafs 46-28 but were stifled by goaltender Jonathan Bernier, who was stellar in making 44 saves for the victory.We can thank him for the win tonight, defenceman Stephane Robidas said. Its one of those that he stole the game for us.Bernier was on his game early and often. Two crucial saves early, one on a point-blank shot from Radim Vrbata and then another on a back-hander by Alexandre Edler were ones coach Randy Carlyle said really saved our butts.It helped that Canucks defenceman Yannick Weber put the puck in his own net on a goal that was credited to Jake Gardiner and that Richard Panik turned Kevin Bieksa inside out and scored less than a minute later to give the Leafs some room to breathe.But Carlyle called Bernier the catalyst, and it was impossible for anyone to argue.Tonight I felt really good. I was seeing pucks well, Bernier said, citing his familiarity with the Canucks as a reason for his success. I was just trying to stay patient tonight and stay on my feet as much as possible.In addition to Gardiner and Panik, Peter Holland and Joffrey Lupul also scored for the Leafs (14-9-3), who rebounded well from a poor effort Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils. David Clarkson added an empty-netter for his eighth goal of the season.Daniel Sedin and Christopher Tanev had Vancouvers goals in a game the Canucks believed they deserved better despite falling into a deep hole.It felt like we couldve won this game, captain Henrik Sedin said. Even down 4-0 I thought we created enough chances to come back in the game. We hit a few posts and werent able to score more than two.Backup goaltender Eddie Lack stopped all 13 shots he faced in relief for the Canucks (18-8-1), who continue their Eastern Conference tour Sunday night at the Ottawa Senators. Vancouver coach Willie Desjardins didnt say which goalie would be in net against the Senators.What Desjardins did do was absolve Miller of some blame. It was a rare bad night for hiim against the Leafs, as he entered with a 32-15-3 record, 2.dddddddddddd7 goals-against average and .921 save percentage in his career vs. Toronto.Hes probably used up his luck in some of those other games, Desjardins said. It (didnt go) his way tonight. Hes a good goaltender. He had tough shots tonight. It wasnt his fault.There wouldve been plenty of blame to go around had the Leafs lost this game. They struggled to generate momentum for much of the first two periods and got into penalty trouble, especially in the second period.One of those penalties belonged to Robidas for elbowing Canucks forward Shawn Matthias in the head. Robidas said he wasnt trying to hurt Matthias, who left and did not return.Even with their parade to the penalty box, the Leafs stood tall. Bernier was their best player on the kill as they went six-for-six.If youre in games like specifically tonight and your penalty killing doesnt rise to the occasion, your chances of winning are almost nil, Carlyle said. Our PK guys did a heck of a job for us, and our goalie was outstanding.It certainly wasnt the sharpest of efforts from the Leafs, who needed a couple of breaks like the Canucks hitting the post and then the cross-bar in quick succession on the power play in the third period. Henrik Sedin believed he and his teammates could win the game if they had scored there to make it 4-3, but Bernier was glad the iron helped him out.They got two back-to-back there, Bernier said. Sometimes you need that luck.The Leafs could consider themselves lucky to come out of this one with two points. It was an all-too-familiar refrain with them being outshot badly and leaning on Bernier to get the job done.But again, it worked.Its not part of a recipe to have success, Robidas said. You cant give up over 40 shots and expect to win every night. ... They made some big plays, and again Bernie was there to make key saves at the right time.Notes — With the empty-netter and an assist, Clarkson registered his first multipoint game with the Leafs. ... Toronto winger David Booth picked up a secondary assist on Paniks goal, his first point of the season. Booth was bought out by the Canucks over the summer. ... Hollands goal was his second in three career games against Vancouver. ... Before the game, the Leafs activated winger Brandon Kozun off long-term injured reserve and placed defenceman Roman Polak on the injured list. 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