The victory, coupled with an Astros loss, lowered the Rangers' magic number to clinch the American League West to 12 games. Texas owns the best record in the AL (84-58), remaining one game ahead of the Indians in the race for home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
Skaggs struck out eight against four walks and allowed two hits, but he was removed after making 95 pitches over six innings, and the Rangers quickly capitalized against the Angels' bullpen, taking the lead three batters into the seventh.
Simmons was down, 0-2, against Darvish before battling back to a 2-2 count and lining a triple into the gap in right-center on the ninth pitch of the at-bat, scoring Jefry Marte and tying the game at 1.