ARLINGTON, Texas -- Sean O'Sullivan threw the pitch Marlon Byrd was expecting. And Angels rookie starter still prevailed.
Byrd, who had already doubled and homered to help Texas to a one-run lead, was too far ahead of a changeup and grounded into a double play to end the Rangers' fifth inning.
"That was a big momentum shift," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.
The first five Los Angeles hitters then reached to start the sixth, including back-to-back homers by Juan Rivera and Kendry Morales, and the AL West-leading Angles won their sixth straight game, 5-2 over the struggling Rangers on Monday night.
O'Sullivan (2-0) allowed consecutive homers to David Murphy and Byrd in the third. The Rangers were still up 2-1 when Byrd came up again with two runners on.
Byrd hit a grounder to third baseman Chone Figgins, who started the inning-ending double play.
"I believe it changed the game. ... I've got to get those runs in, at least one," Byrd said. "They came back out and do what they do. They just capitalize on mistakes and they don't make many mistakes."
After Vladimir Guerrero's leadoff single in the sixth, Rivera and Morales homered to put Los Angeles up 4-2 against Vicente Padilla (6-4). Figgins drove in another run with a sacrifice fly.
The Rangers have lost eight of 11, a slide that cost them the division lead they had held since May 5 -- by 51/2 games four weeks ago. Los Angeles, which has won 13 of 16 overall, took over first place Saturday and now leads by 21/2 games.
Brian Fuentes worked the ninth for his major league-best 22nd save in 25 chances.
After being swept in a three-game series at Texas in mid-May, the Angels were 41/2 games back. But that was when they were still without Guerrero, and the Rangers were still hitting.
"Over the last month, we've been playing better defense, our pitchers have been getting the job done and timely hitting," Torii Hunter said. "We're on all cylinders right now."
Texas is 10-15 in June and has scored two runs or less in 10 of those games. The Rangers had one hit in a 2-0 loss to San Diego on Sunday night, the second time they have been one-hit this season.
The Rangers doubled that total in the first against the Angels with hits from Michael Young and Byrd, but didn't capitalize. Nelson Cruz was intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs and Julio Borbon struck out in his first major league at-bat hours after being called up.
