"The Texas Rangers made five trades in July they hope can help the team make the playoffs.They made one transaction Saturday that could provide just as big a boost.Rich Harden, who hadn't pitched for the Rangers since June 11, was activated from the disabled list and then pitched the Rangers to a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.Harden matched his longest start of the season, tossing an efficient seven innings, allowing one run on five hits along the way in a game that lasted just 2 hours, 11 minutes.The victory was just Harden's fourth of the season, but it moved the Rangers lead in the American League West back to 81/2 games.It also provided a glimpse of what the Rangers expected when they signed him as a free agent in the off-season.Harden (4-3) needed just 88 pitches to get through his seven innings, and allowed just three singles through the first six innings. He worked out of a jam in the fifth inning by striking out Hideki Matsui on a 91-mph fastball. An inning later, after an error helped the Angels get two runners on, Harden ended the frame by striking out Erick Aybar on an 84-changeup.The Rangers gave Harden the only runs he's need in the fourth inning. After David Murphy drew a walk from Dan Haren to open the frame, Vladimir Guerrero lined a two-run homer to left center to give Harden a 2-0 edge.Texas didn't have much offense against Haren (0-2), but didn't need much either. Harden walked two batters, which marked just the fourth time this year he's walked two or fewer hitters. He helped his cause by getting ahead of hitters, as he threw 62 strikes.The only run Harden allowed was a one-out homer to Howie Kendrick in the seventh inning. One out later, Harden allowed a Mike Napoli double and then hit Erick Aybar. But he got Maicer Izturis to ground out to second to end the threat and Harden's night."