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Rangers Secure Home Field on HR

AP Photo

The Texas Rangers are headed home for the American League Division Series after closing the regular season with one of their biggest victories.

And they have three Mikes, but mostly Mike Napoli, to thank.

Napoli hit two homers, including a two-run shot with two outs in the ninth inning, to lift the Rangers to a 3-1 victory over Los Angeles and into the No. 2 playoff seed.

They will open the best-of-five ALDS at 4:07 p.m. Friday at Rangers Ballpark against Tampa Bay, which won the wild card. The Rangers finished with the best record in franchise history at 96-66, one game better than Detroit for the second seed.

The Tigers will head to New York. The Rangers will be at home.

"It was a great feeling," said Napoli, who was mobbed by his teammates as he ran into the dugout. "It got us home-field advantage, and we're all happy in here."

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