Rangers 6, Angels 2: Geovany Soto ripped a go-ahead RBI double in the sixth inning before belting a solo homer in the eighth as visiting Texas forced a one-game playoff with Tampa Bay for the right to secure the American League's second wild card.

Craig Gentry slapped a two-run single in the fifth inning and scored on Ian Kinsler's RBI base hit in the seventh. Adrian Beltre homered to lead off the eighth for the Rangers (91-71), who will host the Rays on Monday in a play-in game - with the winner heading to Cleveland for Wednesday's wild-card contest.

With the Indians and Rays winning earlier Sunday, Texas was aware that it needed to emerge victorious in its seventh straight contest to gain entry into the postseason. Soto answered former Ranger Josh Hamilton's game-tying two-out RBI single in the sixth by depositing a 1-1 fastball from Jason Vargas (9-8) into center to plate Beltre.

Mike Trout belted his 27th homer for the Angels (78-84), who lost their fifth in a row to the Rangers and 15 of the 19 meetings this season.

Neal Cotts (8-3) recorded an out in relief of Yu Darvish in the sixth to pick up the win.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Gentry, who went 2-for-3, improved to 17-for-36 over his last 10 games. ... Darvish was denied in his bid to secure his sixth consecutive victory despite allowing two runs on four hits while striking out eight in 5 2/3 innings. ... Vargas permitted four runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings.