The Angels made just three playoff appearances in the franchise's first 39 seasons before Scioscia took over in 2000. Los Angeles has earned six postseason berths during the former Dodgers catcher's decade in the dugout, winning the 2002 World Series in the Angels' only wild-card playoff appearance.

Getting pushed by the Rangers down the stretch could benefit the Angels in October, if last season's performance is any guide.

Los Angeles clinched the AL West title with 17 games to play on the way to a major league-leading 100 victories in 2008, but that 2 1/2-week stretch with little motivation was seen as a factor in Los Angeles' listless effort in its division series loss to Boston.

Young was back in the Rangers' lineup for just the second time since straining his left hamstring Sept. 1. The third baseman aggravated the injury against Oakland in an aborted return two weeks later, and his absence along with Josh Hamilton's lingering back problems seriously hurt Texas' playoff hopes.

"We don't make any excuses ... but you cannot replace those two guys," manager Ron Washington said before the game. "I would have liked to see what it would have been like with those two guys there. We definitely missed them."

Young, who began the night batting .322 with 22 homers and 67 RBIs, hit the second pitch he saw down the right-field line for a double.

Notes

Morales started two 3-6-3 double plays by fielding a grounder and throwing quickly to second base. The Cuban's improved fielding despite limited time at first base in his baseball career before this season has been among his most impressive achievements to Scioscia. ... Young had never missed more than two straight games with an injury in his career before his recent hamstring woes. ... The Rangers had won 10 of 15 against Los Angeles this season, but the Angels took two of three in Texas last week.