Choo Shin-soo of the Texas Rangers stayed hot to cap a strong September, as his club inched closer to the American League West division title on Wednesday at home.

The South Korean outfielder went 1-for-4 and scored a run, as the Rangers beat the Detroit Tigers 6-2 at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

Choo, one of Major League Baseball's hottest hitters since the All-Star break, ended September with a .404 batting average and a .515 on-base percentage, along with five home runs and 20 RBIs.

The Rangers improved to 86-72, holding a 2.5-game lead over the Houston Astros (84-75) and a two-game advantage over the Los Angeles Angels (83-75) with four games to play.

Earlier in the day, the Angels lost to the Oakland Athletics 8-7. The Astros defeated the Seattle Mariners 7-6.

The New York Yankees (86-72) are holding down the first Wild Card spot in the AL, with the Astros clinging to the second spot.

The Angels and the Minnesota Twins (82-76) are in hot pursuit.

The Rangers will close out the regular season with a four-game series against the Angels at home starting Thursday.

The Rangers allowed two runs in the top of the first, but responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first.

Choo hit a single to start the rally and came home on a two-run shot by Adrian Beltre.

Robinson Chirinos and Mike Napoli also homered for the Rangers.

Choo is on the verge of making his second postseason appearance, after making the National League Wild Card Game for the Cincinnati Reds in 2013.

After the victory over the Tigers, Choo said he can't afford to let his guard down even with the division title almost secured.

"In baseball, you just never know until the very end," Choo said. "We have to take every game as if it were our last."

Wielding a hot bat and getting on base at an impressive rate, Choo appears to be a strong candidate for the Player of the Month honors. He was named the Player of the Month for September in 2008 while playing for the Cleveland Indians.

He said he has put aside thoughts on winning awards or consciously reaching base.

"The Angels' pitchers will come out firing because they will have their postseason hopes on the line," Choo said. "I can only take one plate appearance at a time. I can't worry about any sort of record." (Yonhap)