Rangers win in Lee's final start before playoffs
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Vladimir Guerrero drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth and Cliff Lee pitched seven innings in his final tuneup before the playoffs, leading the Texas Rangers past the Los Angeles Angels 3-2 on Thursday night.
Nelson Cruz, who had three hits, doubled to right and stole third on a pitch in the dirt with one out in the eighth. Guerrero lined a single to left off reliever Jordan Walden (0-1) to give Texas the lead.
Darren O'Day (6-2) relieved Lee and allowed a game-tying home run to Peter Bourjos.
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Lee, who struck out eight without a walk, gave up four singles and an unearned run. After allowing a double in the sixth, Lee retired the final six batters. He will start Game 1 of the AL division series Wednesday against either Tampa Bay or New York.
Neftali Feliz pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his 39th save in 42 chances.
Angels starter Scott Kazmir allowed two runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings. The left-hander made his final start of the season and is 2-10 since June 24.
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Los Angeles (78-81) must win its final three games to avoid its first losing season since 2003.
Julio Borbon and Elvis Andrus had consecutive one-out singles off Kazmir in the third. Michael Young's deep sacrifice fly to the warning track scored Borbon and gave Texas a 1-0 lead.
Ian Kinsler led off the fourth with a double off the wall in center and he came around on Guerrero's double.
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Lee bounced back after losing last Thursday at Oakland when gave up four runs in five innings. The left-hander struck out three of the first four batters and allowed three hits through five innings before Los Angeles scored.
Bourjos, who had three hits, led off the sixth with a double and reached third on Borbon's fielding error in center field. Bobby Abreu hit a sacrifice fly to bring the Angels within 2-1.
Notes: Angels manager Mike Scioscia didn't know whether Dan Haren would start Sunday's season finale after the right-hander threw a bullpen session before Thursday's game. Haren has pitched 222 innings this season. "We'll see where we are on Sunday." Scioscia said. "He's got a lot of innings under his belt, that's for sure." ... Andrus was back in the starting lineup after sitting out consecutive games. ... Kazmir dropped to 0-3 against Texas this season.