oring and finished a home run shy of the cycle, rookie

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Albert Pujols almost had consecutive triples after going more than four years without one. Instead, he ended up with a chance to complete the first cycle of his career. The Los Angeles slugger tried a little too hard in both cases and missed out. It didnt keep the Angels from adding to their big lead in the AL West. Pujols tripled to open the scoring and finished a home run shy of the cycle, rookie Matt Shoemaker had another strong start, and the Angels beat the Texas Rangers 8-1 on Wednesday night. "It would have been pretty cool," Pujols said. "Its not easy. Thats why you dont see it every day. Obviously, everybody says the hardest part is to get that triple, which I believe it is." The AL West-leading Angels (90-55), who are nine games up on Oakland after the As lost at the Chicago White Sox, were the first team in the majors to 90 wins with their season-high seventh straight victory. Shoemaker (15-4) set a franchise rookie record for victories by winning his sixth straight decision. Texas right-hander Nick Tepesch (4-10) has just one win in 12 starts. Pujols first-inning triple made Mike Trout the sixth player in major league history to score 100 runs in three seasons before turning 23. It was the first triple for Pujols since July 10, 2010, when he played for St. Louis. In the third, Pujols fly ball eluded a leaping Michael Choice and caromed off the right-field wall. Choice ran the ball down and threw to Elvis Andrus, who tagged Pujols trying to scramble back to second. Pujols, who playfully tugged at Andrus cap as he jogged back to the dugout, had a single in the fifth. The Rangers intentionally walked Trout to load the bases for Pujols in the sixth, but he grounded into an inning-ending double play. Pujols reached on a throwing error by Andrus and scored in the eighth, and then admittedly was swinging for the fences when he grounded out to Andrus in the ninth. "I think everybody was aware," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "In the big picture, I dont think its one that he needs on his shelf, but it would have been nice to see." Shoemaker, who broke a rookie wins record tied most recently by Frank Tanana in 1974, came close to pitching at least seven shutout innings for the fourth time in five starts. He came out after giving up Ryan Ruas RBI single with two outs in the seventh. "I think Shoe is one of the big reasons why were even contending," Scioscia said. "When he got his chance to get in the rotation, to do what he did is spectacular for us." SELECT 100 CLUB Trout reached base three times and scored twice to push his season total to 101 runs. The other five players to score 100 runs in three seasons before turning 23 were Mel Ott, Buddy Lewis, Ted Williams, Vada Pinson and Alex Rodriguez. REVOLVING DOOR Interim Texas manager Tim Bogar has used at least five pitchers in four of his five games since replacing Ron Washington. He made three pitching changes in a seven-run eighth inning for the Angels on Tuesday. He used six pitchers for the first time Wednesday, and the Angels scored five runs in the last three innings. TRAINERS ROOM Angels: Josh Hamilton missed his sixth consecutive game with a sore right shoulder. He took two more injections Tuesday and woke up sore Wednesday. He hopes the injections will lead to dramatic improvement in the next couple of days, but there is no timetable for his return. Rangers: C Robinson Chirinos could be back behind the plate Thursday night after missing nine games with neck stiffness. ... Bogar says it is likely OF Jake Smolinski (broken left foot) will play again this season. He has been on the disabled list since July 25. UP NEXT Angels: RHP Cory Rasmus (3-1, 2.81) will make his third straight start after 24 relief appearances to start the season. He threw three scoreless innings in a 2-0 win over Oakland on Aug. 30 before giving up two runs in 1 2-3 innings in an 8-5 win over Minnesota last week. Rangers: Rookie RHP Nick Martinez (3-10, 5.03) is looking for his first win at home after nine previous appearances, including seven starts. He has a 6.81 ERA at home. He has allowed six hits in five straight starts, the second Texas pitcher to do that (Charlie Hough in 1982). T.J. Hockenson Jersey .com) - Nino Williams posted 18 points and seven rebounds, as Kansas State edged No. Lions Jerseys China . Alexander was released last week by the Edmonton Eskimos, where he spent the past three seasons at safety. 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I was wondering if you have any great stories or fond memories of your time on the ice with Brodeur - in the NHL, or maybe even the Olympics.KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Alex Smith would like to stay in Kansas City. He just doesnt want to waste his time dealing with the negotiations that could keep him with the Chiefs beyond next season. "My agent and representatives handle all that," Smith said. "Thats why you hire them." Smith did confirm that his agent, Tom Condon, has been talking with the Chiefs about a new deal. Smith is due to make $7.5 million in the final year of a contract he signed in 2012, when he was still a member of the San Francisco 49ers. "I have no date as far as expectation (of getting a deal done)," Smith said on the first day of the off-season program. "I still have a year on my contract, so for me, no, I dont have any expectations. I dont know when itll get done." Chiefs general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid have both expressed their desire to keep Smith in Kansas City. Smith completed 66 per cent of his passes with a career-best 23 touchdowns and only seven interceptions while leading a team that had been 2-14 the year before his arrival to an 11-5 mark and a spot in the playoffs. Kansas City lost to Indianapolis in the first round. "Ive played long enough, going into Year 10 now, its all year to year in my mind anyway," Smith said. "At this point, you have to continually prove yourself, so I dont think it changes anything as far as my mindsset or my approach to the game at all.dddddddddddd" The Chiefs traded what turned out to be a second-round pick last season and their second-rounder this season to San Francisco to acquire Smith. That leaves them with only one pick in the first 86, and could make it difficult to surround their quarterback with help. Theyve already lost left tackle Branden Albert and both of their right guards, Jon Asamoah and Geoff Schwartz, during free agency. They have also struggled to find a complementary wide receiver for Dwayne Bowe, and could select a wide receiver with their first-round pick. Smith said he doesnt worry about any of it. "I knew some of that was to be expected. Its tough. Those were all good players," he said. "I knew we werent going to keep everybody. Thats part of the deal." Along with turning his focus toward next season, Smith is also working on a commencement address that he will deliver May 1 at Utah. He was approached a while back by the presidents office at his alma mater, though he wasnt sure how far down he was on the pecking order. "Humbled to give it. Its kind of sitting in the back of my mind this entire off-season, knowing I have to give this speech," he said. Asked if there was a theme, he glibly replied: "Yeah, they should work really hard on running fast and throwing the ball far." 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