LOS ANGELES, July 13 - Casey Kotchman singled with one man out in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels eke out a 2-1 home victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday.

Kotchman drove in Gary Matthews Jr as the West Division-leading Angels (54-35) tied American League East leader Boston for the best record in Major League Baseball.

Matthews had doubled to center and moved to third on Garret Anderson's groundout.

Francisco Rodriguez (3-2) struck out two in the ninth inning to gain the win in relief of Kelvim Escobar, who pitched eight solid innings and struck out six in holding Texas to a run and six hits.

Starter Kevin Millwood of the Rangers was equally effective. He struck out five and walked three while giving up five hits and a run in seven innings.

Joaquin Benoit (3-3), who pitched the eighth and part of the ninth, took the loss with Ron Mahay giving up the winning hit to Kotchman.

Millwood did not allow a hit until Orlando Cabrera singled with one out in the fourth. Matthews then singled to right to drive in Cabrera with the Angels's first run.

Texas responded with its only run in the top of the fifth. Gerald Laird doubled to deep center, took third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Ramon Vazquez's single.