ARLINGTON, Texas -- Mike Trout scored the winning run after leading off the ninth with a triple, keeping the Los Angeles Angels' playoff hopes alive by topping the Texas Rangers 2-1 Friday night.

The Angels (84-76) were one game back of Houston starting the day in the race for the second wild-card spot. Minnesota also began Friday tied with Los Angeles.

The loss also kept the Rangers (87-73) from celebrating an American League West title before a sellout crowd of 47,219 at Globe Life Park. Texas, already assured of a spot in the postseason, came into the game needing one win or one Houston loss to clinch the division.

The Astros were at Arizona later Friday night.

Los Angeles starter Jared Weaver, tied with Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan for second place on the Angels' all-time win list, was solid before leaving without a decision. The veteran righty allowed only one run through six innings, leaving with the game tied.

Rangers starter Martin Perez was done after seven innings, having allowed four hits and one run while striking out four.

The bullpens for both squads held firm until Trout opened the ninth with a rope to right-center off Texas closer Shawn Tolleson, who was pitching for the fourth straight game.

Designated hitter Albert Pujols followed with a soft single to center to plate Trout, who had been 0-for-6 in the series to that point.

Angels reliever Joe Smith, the AL leader with 32 holds this season, picked up his fourth save after a perfect ninth.

The Angels got to Perez in the first with three singles, including first baseman C.J. Cron's hit to drive home shortstop Erick Aybar.

Rangers center fielder Delino DeShields walked to lead off the bottom of the inning and stole second. He attempted to steal third and was initially called safe but the Angels successfully challenged the call.

Los Angeles also won a challenge in the second on as Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus tried to beat out an infield single. The safe call was changed to out.

The Rangers tied the game at 1-1 on right fielder Shin-Soo Choo's 22nd home run in the fourth, a solo shot off Weaver in the visitor's bullpen in left-center.

Back-to-back errors by Aybar on routine ground balls allowed Andrus and second baseman Rougned Odor to reach with one out in the fifth. Both Rangers advanced on double steal, forcing the Angels to bring the infield in.

Weaver got out of the jam with a strikeout and fly ball.

NOTES: The Rangers will be in the postseason for the seventh time in club history. Texas came into Friday with a magic number of one to secure the AL West title over Houston. Should the teams end up tied, Texas would host the tiebreaker Monday in Arlington. ... Los Angeles DH Albert Pujols came into the game one home run shy of becoming the third Angel to hit 40 in a season. Troy Glaus and Mike Trout are the others. Pujols has seven career 40-homer seasons. ... The only clubs with six seasons of at least 87 wins since 2009 are the Rangers and St. Louis.