Juan Rivera homered and drove in four runs and the Los Angeles Angels dug out of an early five-run hole to secure a 9-7 win over the rival Texas Rangers on Friday.

Erick Aybar finished with two RBIs and Maicer Izturis and Alberto Callaspo each had an RBI for the Angels, who trailed 5-0 after two innings.

The victory pulled Los Angeles to within eight games of Texas in the American League West.

Vladimir Guerrero and David Murphy had two RBIs apiece and Nelson Cruz homered as the Rangers beat around starter Ervin Santana early on.

But the Angels climbed back with four runs in the second and four more in the fourth to grab an 8-7 advantage.

The damage came off of Tommy Hunter (8-1), who was tagged for eight runs and eight hits in three innings to suffer his first loss of the year.

Santana (10-7) hung around long enough for the win despite surrendering seven runs - four earned - and 10 hits in six innings.

Brian Fuentes set down the side in order in the ninth for his 19th save.