Cron’s Go-Ahead HR Helps Angels Beat Chicago 2-1

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — C.J. Cron hit a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning and Albert Pujols also homered, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 2-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night.

The victory was only the second in eight games for the defending AL West champion Angels, who returned home from Sunday night’s 10-inning loss at Kansas City out of a playoff spot for the first time since July 2. They still trail Houston by 3 1-2 games in the division race, and Toronto by a half-game for the second wild card spot.

Cron drove an 0-1 pitch into the right field seats for his ninth homer with one out against rookie Carlos Rodon (5-5), who allowed just four hits over eight innings and struck out five in the longest of his 17 big league starts.

Fernando Salas (3-1) pitched one inning for the victory. Joe Smith got three outs in the eighth and Huston Street set down the White Sox 1-2-3 in the ninth for his for his 28th save in 32 attempts.