GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: TAMPA BAY (63-88) at LA ANGELS (88-62)

AL: TAMPA BAY at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">TAMPA BAY (0) VS LA ANGELS (2) - END 7TH - IN PROGRESS

TAMPA BAY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Iwamura 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .283
G Norton dh 2 0 0 0 1 2 1 .231
C Pena 1b 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 .277
B Upton cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .306
D Young rf 3 0 1 0 0 2 0 .293
J Gomes lf 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .249
D Navarro c 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .231
J Velandia 2b 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .545
J Wilson ss 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 .268

Totals 23 0 2 0 2 8 7

BATTING: 2B - J Velandia (4, J Lackey). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out
- A Iwamura 1. Team LOB - 4.

FIELDING: E - D Navarro (10, throw). Outfield assists - J Gomes (C Kotchman
at Home).


LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Figgins rf 4 1 1 0 0 2 3 .346
O Cabrera ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .303
V Guerrero dh 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .323
G Anderson lf 3 1 3 0 0 0 0 .309
M Izturis 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .283
C Kotchman 1b 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 .294
H Kendrick 2b 3 0 2 1 0 0 2 .324
M Napoli c 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 .249
N Haynes cf 2 0 1 0 0 1 1 .256
a-R Willits ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .291

Totals 27 2 7 1 3 5 13

a-walked for N Haynes in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - H Kendrick (23, J Hammel); G Anderson (30, J Hammel). RBI - H
Kendrick (35). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Figgins 1, N Haynes
1. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: SB - C Figgins (40, 2nd base off J Hammel/D Navarro).


----------------------------------------------------
TAMPA BAY - 000 000 0 -- 0
LA ANGELS - 100 001 0 -- 2
----------------------------------------------------

TAMPA BAY ip h r er bb so hr era
J Hammel 6 7 2 2 2 3 0 5.88
J Switzer 1/3 0 0 0 1 1 0 9.22
G Glover 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 5.20

LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era
J Lackey 7 2 0 0 2 8 0 3.10

WP - J Hammel. IBB - C Kotchman (by J Hammel). Pitches-strikes: J Hammel
98-60; J Switzer 9-4; G Glover 5-4; J Lackey 84-59. Ground balls-fly balls: J
Hammel 10-4; J Switzer 0-0; G Glover 0-1; J Lackey 6-7. Batters faced: J Hammel
26; J Switzer 2; G Glover 2; J Lackey 25.

UMPIRES: HP--Mark Wegner. 1B--Brian Runge. 2B--Mike Winters. 3B--Bruce
Froemming.

Weather: 76 degrees, clear. Wind: 9 mph, out to center.</div>

 

AL: TAMPA BAY at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: R Willits in center field.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: TAMPA BAY 0
LA ANGELS 2 TOP, 8TH

DUE UP FOR TAMPA BAY: J Velandia (.545, 1-FOR-2)</div>

 

AL: TAMPA BAY at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TAMPA BAY 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1
LA ANGELS 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 7 0 (BOT 8)

CURRENT PITCHERS: TAM - GARY GLOVER
LAA - JOHN LACKEY

DUE UP FOR LA ANGELS: G ANDERSON (.309, 3-FOR-3)
M IZTURIS (.283, 0-FOR-3)
C KOTCHMAN (.294, 0-FOR-1, 2 BB)</div>

 

AL: TAMPA BAY at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">TAMPA BAY (0) VS LA ANGELS (2) - MID 8TH - IN PROGRESS

TAMPA BAY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Iwamura 3b 4 0 1 0 0 1 2 .285
G Norton dh 3 0 0 0 1 3 3 .230
C Pena 1b 4 0 0 0 0 3 3 .276
B Upton cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .306
D Young rf 3 0 1 0 0 2 0 .293
J Gomes lf 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .249
D Navarro c 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .231
J Velandia 2b 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 .583
J Wilson ss 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 .267

Totals 28 0 4 0 2 10 12

BATTING: 2B - J Velandia (4, J Lackey). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out
- C Pena 1, A Iwamura 1. Team LOB - 6.

FIELDING: E - D Navarro (10, throw). Outfield assists - J Gomes (C Kotchman
at Home).


LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Figgins rf 4 1 1 0 0 2 3 .346
O Cabrera ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .303
V Guerrero dh 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .323
G Anderson lf 3 1 3 0 0 0 0 .309
M Izturis 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .283
C Kotchman 1b 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 .294
H Kendrick 2b 3 0 2 1 0 0 2 .324
M Napoli c 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 .249
N Haynes cf 2 0 1 0 0 1 1 .256
a-R Willits ph-cf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .291

Totals 27 2 7 1 3 5 13

a-walked for N Haynes in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - H Kendrick (23, J Hammel); G Anderson (30, J Hammel). RBI - H
Kendrick (35). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Figgins 1, N Haynes
1. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: SB - C Figgins (40, 2nd base off J Hammel/D Navarro).


----------------------------------------------------
TAMPA BAY - 000 000 00 -- 0
LA ANGELS - 100 001 0 -- 2
----------------------------------------------------

TAMPA BAY ip h r er bb so hr era
J Hammel 6 7 2 2 2 3 0 5.88
J Switzer 1/3 0 0 0 1 1 0 9.22
G Glover 2/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 5.20

LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era
J Lackey 8 4 0 0 2 10 0 3.09

WP - J Hammel. IBB - C Kotchman (by J Hammel). Pitches-strikes: J Hammel
98-60; J Switzer 9-4; G Glover 5-4; J Lackey 100-69. Ground balls-fly balls: J
Hammel 10-4; J Switzer 0-0; G Glover 0-1; J Lackey 6-8. Batters faced: J Hammel
26; J Switzer 2; G Glover 2; J Lackey 30.

UMPIRES: HP--Mark Wegner. 1B--Brian Runge. 2B--Mike Winters. 3B--Bruce
Froemming.

Weather: 76 degrees, clear. Wind: 9 mph, out to center.</div>

 

AL: TAMPA BAY at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TAMPA BAY 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1
LA ANGELS 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 7 0 (TOP 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: TAM - GARY GLOVER
LAA - JOHN LACKEY

DUE UP FOR TAMPA BAY: B UPTON (.306, 0-FOR-3)
D YOUNG (.293, 1-FOR-3)
J GOMES (.249, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: TAMPA BAY at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">TAMPA BAY (0) VS LA ANGELS (2) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

TAMPA BAY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Iwamura 3b 4 0 1 0 0 1 2 .285
G Norton dh 3 0 0 0 1 3 3 .230
C Pena 1b 4 0 0 0 0 3 3 .276
B Upton cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .306
D Young rf 3 0 1 0 0 2 0 .293
J Gomes lf 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .249
D Navarro c 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .231
J Velandia 2b 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 .583
J Wilson ss 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 .267

Totals 28 0 4 0 2 10 12

BATTING: 2B - J Velandia (4, J Lackey). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out
- C Pena 1, A Iwamura 1. Team LOB - 6.

FIELDING: E - D Navarro (10, throw). Outfield assists - J Gomes (C Kotchman
at Home).


LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Figgins rf 4 1 1 0 0 2 3 .346
O Cabrera ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .303
V Guerrero dh 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .323
G Anderson lf 4 1 3 0 0 1 0 .308
M Izturis 3b 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .283
C Kotchman 1b 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 .293
H Kendrick 2b 3 0 2 1 0 0 2 .324
M Napoli c 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 .249
N Haynes cf 2 0 1 0 0 1 1 .256
a-R Willits ph-cf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .291

Totals 30 2 7 1 3 6 13

a-walked for N Haynes in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - H Kendrick (23, J Hammel); G Anderson (30, J Hammel). RBI - H
Kendrick (35). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Figgins 1, N Haynes
1. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: SB - C Figgins (40, 2nd base off J Hammel/D Navarro).


----------------------------------------------------
TAMPA BAY - 000 000 00 -- 0
LA ANGELS - 100 001 00 -- 2
----------------------------------------------------

TAMPA BAY ip h r er bb so hr era
J Hammel 6 7 2 2 2 3 0 5.88
J Switzer 1/3 0 0 0 1 1 0 9.22
G Glover 1 2/3 0 0 0 0 2 0 5.12

LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era
J Lackey 8 4 0 0 2 10 0 3.09

WP - J Hammel. IBB - C Kotchman (by J Hammel). Pitches-strikes: J Hammel
98-60; J Switzer 9-4; G Glover 16-11; J Lackey 100-69. Ground balls-fly balls:
J Hammel 10-4; J Switzer 0-0; G Glover 0-3; J Lackey 6-8. Batters faced: J
Hammel 26; J Switzer 2; G Glover 5; J Lackey 30.

UMPIRES: HP--Mark Wegner. 1B--Brian Runge. 2B--Mike Winters. 3B--Bruce
Froemming.

Weather: 76 degrees, clear. Wind: 9 mph, out to center.</div>

 

AL: TAMPA BAY at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - PITCHING CHANGE
LAA: FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ (5-2, 3.03) IN THE 9TH
SITUATION: NO RUNS IN, B UPTON ON SECOND, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: TAMPA BAY 0, LA ANGELS 2

DUE UP FOR TAMPABAY: D YOUNG (.293, 1-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: TAMPA BAY at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: F Rodriguez relieved J Lackey.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, B UPTON ON SECOND, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: TAMPA BAY 0
LA ANGELS 2 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR TAMPA BAY: D Young (.293, 1-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: TAMPA BAY at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Guzman ran for D Navarro.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, J GUZMAN ON FIRST, B UPTON ON THIRD, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: TAMPA BAY 0
LA ANGELS 2 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR TAMPA BAY: J Velandia (.583, 2-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: TAMPA BAY at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY JORGE VELANDIA SCORED B.J. UPTON.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J VELANDIA ON FIRST, J GUZMAN ON SECOND, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: TAMPA BAY 1
LA ANGELS 2 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR TAMPA BAY: J WILSON (.267, 0-FOR-2, BB)</div>

 

AL: TAMPA BAY at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TAMPA BAY 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 6 1
LA ANGELS 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 x 2 7 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: TAM - JASON HAMMEL, JON SWITZER (7TH), GARY GLOVER (7TH) AND DIONER
NAVARRO

LAA - JOHN LACKEY, FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ (9TH) AND MIKE
NAPOLI

HOME RUNS: TAM - NONE

LAA - NONE</div>

 

AL: TAMPA BAY at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TAMPA BAY 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 6 1
LA ANGELS 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 x 2 7 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: TAM - JASON HAMMEL, JON SWITZER (7TH), GARY GLOVER (7TH) AND DIONER
NAVARRO

LAA - JOHN LACKEY, FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ (9TH) AND MIKE
NAPOLI


WP - JOHN LACKEY (17-9)
LP - JASON HAMMEL (2-5)
SAVE - FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ (36)

HOME RUNS: TAM - NONE

LAA - NONE


TIME: 2:38 ATT: 36,313

PROBABLES: TAM - JAMES SHIELDS (12-8, 3.85)
LAA - BARTOLO COLON (6-7, 6.68)</div>

 

AL: TAMPA BAY at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">TAMPA BAY (1) VS LA ANGELS (2) - FINAL

TAMPA BAY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Iwamura 3b 4 0 1 0 0 1 2 .285
G Norton dh 3 0 0 0 1 3 3 .230
C Pena 1b 4 0 0 0 0 3 3 .276
B Upton cf 4 1 1 0 0 0 1 .307
D Young rf 4 0 1 0 0 3 1 .292
J Gomes lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .248
D Navarro c 3 0 0 0 1 1 0 .231
J Guzman pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .294
J Velandia 2b 4 0 3 1 0 0 0 .615
J Wilson ss 3 0 0 0 1 1 4 .266

Totals 33 1 6 1 3 13 16

BATTING: 2B - J Velandia (4, J Lackey); B Upton (25, J Lackey). RBI - J
Velandia (3). 2-out RBI - J Velandia. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out -
C Pena 1, J Wilson 1, A Iwamura 1. Team LOB - 8.

BASERUNNING: SB - B Upton (19, 3rd base off F Rodriguez/M Napoli).

FIELDING: E - D Navarro (10, throw). Outfield assists - J Gomes (C Kotchman
at Home).


LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Figgins rf 4 1 1 0 0 2 3 .346
O Cabrera ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .303
V Guerrero dh 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .323
G Anderson lf 4 1 3 0 0 1 0 .308
M Izturis 3b 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .283
C Kotchman 1b 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 .293
H Kendrick 2b 3 0 2 1 0 0 2 .324
M Napoli c 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 .249
N Haynes cf 2 0 1 0 0 1 1 .256
a-R Willits ph-cf 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .291

Totals 30 2 7 1 3 6 13

a-walked for N Haynes in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - H Kendrick (23, J Hammel); G Anderson (30, J Hammel). RBI - H
Kendrick (35). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Figgins 1, N Haynes
1. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: SB - C Figgins (40, 2nd base off J Hammel/D Navarro).


----------------------------------------------------
TAMPA BAY - 000 000 001 -- 1
LA ANGELS - 100 001 00x -- 2
----------------------------------------------------

TAMPA BAY ip h r er bb so hr era
J Hammel (L, 2-5) 6 7 2 2 2 3 0 5.88
J Switzer 1/3 0 0 0 1 1 0 9.22
G Glover 1 2/3 0 0 0 0 2 0 5.12

LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era
J Lackey (W, 17-9) 8 5 1 1 2 10 0 3.13
F Rodriguez (S, 36) 1 1 0 0 1 3 0 2.98

J Lackey pitched to 1 batter in the 9th.

WP - J Hammel. IBB - C Kotchman (by J Hammel). Pitches-strikes: J Hammel
98-60; J Switzer 9-4; G Glover 16-11; J Lackey 105-71; F Rodriguez 24-14.
Ground balls-fly balls: J Hammel 10-4; J Switzer 0-0; G Glover 0-3; J Lackey
6-8; F Rodriguez 0-0. Batters faced: J Hammel 26; J Switzer 2; G Glover 5; J
Lackey 31; F Rodriguez 5.

UMPIRES: HP--Mark Wegner. 1B--Brian Runge. 2B--Mike Winters. 3B--Bruce
Froemming.

T--2:38. Att--36,313.
Weather: 76 degrees, clear. Wind: 9 mph, out to
center.</div>

 

Lackey takes shutout into ninth as Angels move closer to clinching

<h3>LA ANGELS 2, TAMPA BAY 1</h3>By Chris Padula
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels ofAnaheim moved closer to their fourth American League West crownin five years behind the arm of Cy Young candidate John Lackey.

Lackey pitched eight-plus dominant innings as the Angels posteda 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Tuesday.

Garret Anderson kept up his torrid hitting for the Angels(89-62), who reduced their magic number to four for clinchingthe division title.


Lackey (17-9), who has won 14 games twice before, added to hiscareer-best win total by improving to 8-1 in 10 career startsvs. Tampa Bay. The righthander yielded just a run, five hitsand two walks while striking out 10 in coming within three outsof his third shutout of the season.


The righthander left after allowing a leadoff double in theninth to B.J. Upton, and closer Francisco Rodriguez yielded an<div class="pre">RBI single to Jorge Velandia before notching his 36th save.</div>

Lackey spoiled a fine outing by Tampa Bay starter Jason Hammel(2-5), who yielded two runs and seven hits in six frames.

The Angels took advantage of an error in the first inning totake a 1-0 lead. Leadoff man Chone Figgins singled, stole secondand advanced to third on a throwing error by Devil Rays catcherDioner Navarro before scoring on a wild pitch.


The Angels added an insurance run in the sixth inning, whenAnderson doubled to right and scored after a pair of groundouts.

Anderson is batting .421 (32-for-76) over his last 20 games andleads the majors since the All-Star break with 62 RBI in the 60games.

 

AL: TAMPA BAY at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
TAMPA BAY 1
LA ANGELS 2 FINAL</div>

 

AL: TAMPA BAY at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TAMPA BAY (1) AT LA ANGELS (2) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LA ANGELS 1ST: C Figgins singled to left. C Figgins stole second,
C Figgins safe at third on throwing error by catcher D Navarro. C Figgins scored
on J Hammel's wild pitch. O Cabrera flied out to right. V Guerrero grounded
out to third. G Anderson singled to right. M Izturis grounded out to second.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) TAMPA BAY 0, LA ANGELS 1.

LA ANGELS 6TH: G Anderson doubled to deep right. M Izturis grounded out to
second, G Anderson to third. C Kotchman intentionally walked. H Kendrick
grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, G Anderson scored, C Kotchman out
at second. M Napoli struck out swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0,
LA ANGELS 2.

TAMPA BAY 9TH: B Upton hit a ground rule double to deep center.
F Rodriguez relieved J Lackey. D Young struck out swinging. J Gomes struck out
swinging, B Upton stole third. D Navarro walked. J Guzman ran for D Navarro.
J Velandia singled to left, B Upton scored, J Guzman to second. J Wilson
struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 1, LA ANGELS 2.</div>

 

AL: TAMPA BAY at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TAMPA BAY (1) AT LA ANGELS (2) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tampa Bay Starting Lineups -- A Iwamura 3B, G Norton DH, C Pena 1B, B Upton CF,
D Young RF, J Gomes LF, D Navarro C, J Velandia 2B, J Wilson SS, J Hammel RHP.

La Angels Starting Lineups -- C Figgins RF, O Cabrera SS, V Guerrero DH,
G Anderson LF, M Izturis 3B, C Kotchman 1B, H Kendrick 2B, M Napoli C,
N Haynes CF, J Lackey RHP.

Umpires -- Mark Wegner (HP), Brian Runge (1B), Mike Winters (2B),
Bruce Froemming (3B).

Gametime Weather: 76 degrees, Clear, wind out to center at 9 mph.


TAMPA BAY 1ST: A Iwamura flied out to left. G Norton walked. C Pena
struck out swinging. B Upton grounded into fielder's choice to second,
G Norton out at second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, LA ANGELS 0.

LA ANGELS 1ST: C Figgins singled to left. C Figgins stole second,
C Figgins safe at third on throwing error by catcher D Navarro. C Figgins scored
on J Hammel's wild pitch. O Cabrera flied out to right. V Guerrero grounded
out to third. G Anderson singled to right. M Izturis grounded out to second.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) TAMPA BAY 0, LA ANGELS 1.

TAMPA BAY 2ND: D Young struck out swinging. J Gomes grounded out to
shortstop. D Navarro grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
TAMPA BAY 0, LA ANGELS 1.

LA ANGELS 2ND: C Kotchman grounded out to first. H Kendrick singled to
left. M Napoli grounded into fielder's choice to third, H Kendrick out at
second. N Haynes singled to center, M Napoli to second. C Figgins grounded
into fielder's choice to second, N Haynes out at second. (0 Runs, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, LA ANGELS 1.

TAMPA BAY 3RD: J Velandia popped out to shortstop. J Wilson walked.
A Iwamura struck out swinging. G Norton struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, LA ANGELS 1.

LA ANGELS 3RD: O Cabrera popped out to first. V Guerrero grounded out to
third. G Anderson singled to center. M Izturis grounded out to second.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, LA ANGELS 1.

TAMPA BAY 4TH: C Pena struck out swinging. B Upton grounded out to second.
D Young safe at first on error by shortstop O Cabrera. J Gomes fouled out to
first. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, LA ANGELS 1.

LA ANGELS 4TH: C Kotchman walked. H Kendrick doubled to deep center,
C Kotchman thrown out at home. M Napoli lined out to pitcher. N Haynes struck
out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, LA ANGELS 1.

TAMPA BAY 5TH: D Navarro grounded out to shortstop. J Velandia doubled to
deep center. J Wilson flied out to right. A Iwamura flied out to right.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, LA ANGELS 1.

LA ANGELS 5TH: C Figgins struck out swinging. O Cabrera grounded out to
shortstop. V Guerrero fouled out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
TAMPA BAY 0, LA ANGELS 1.

TAMPA BAY 6TH: G Norton struck out swinging. C Pena flied out to right.
B Upton flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, LA ANGELS 1.

LA ANGELS 6TH: G Anderson doubled to deep right. M Izturis grounded out to
second, G Anderson to third. C Kotchman intentionally walked. H Kendrick
grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, G Anderson scored, C Kotchman out
at second. M Napoli struck out swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0,
LA ANGELS 2.

TAMPA BAY 7TH: D Young struck out swinging. J Gomes grounded out to
shortstop. D Navarro struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0,
LA ANGELS 2.

LA ANGELS 7TH: J Switzer relieved J Hammel. R Willits hit for N Haynes.
R Willits walked. C Figgins struck out swinging. G Glover relieved J Switzer.
O Cabrera flied out to right. V Guerrero struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, LA ANGELS 2.

TAMPA BAY 8TH: R Willits in center field. J Velandia singled to center.
J Wilson flied out to left. A Iwamura reached on bunt single to third,
J Velandia to second. G Norton struck out swinging. C Pena struck out swinging.
(0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0, LA ANGELS 2.

LA ANGELS 8TH: G Anderson struck out swinging. M Izturis flied out to
left. C Kotchman flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 0,
LA ANGELS 2.

TAMPA BAY 9TH: B Upton hit a ground rule double to deep center.
F Rodriguez relieved J Lackey. D Young struck out swinging. J Gomes struck out
swinging, B Upton stole third. D Navarro walked. J Guzman ran for D Navarro.
J Velandia singled to left, B Upton scored, J Guzman to second. J Wilson
struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TAMPA BAY 1, LA ANGELS 2.</div>

 

Lackey takes shutout into ninth as Angels move closer to clinching

<h3>LA ANGELS 2, TAMPA BAY 1</h3>By Chris Padula
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheimmoved closer to their third American League West crown in fouryears behind the arm of Cy Young candidate John Lackey.

Lackey pitched eight-plus dominant innings as the Angels posteda 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Tuesday.

Garret Anderson kept up his torrid hitting for the Angels(89-62), who reduced their magic number to four for clinchingthe division title.


"We couldn't have gained breathing room in the standings withoutthe way Garret has been swining the bat," Angels manager MikeScioscia said.


Lackey (17-9), who has won 14 games twice before, added to hiscareer-best win total by improving to 8-1 in 10 career startsvs. Tampa Bay. The righthander yielded just a run, five hitsand two walks while striking out 10 in coming within three outsof his third shutout of the season.


"(I) felt strong and my pitch selection tonight was better thanit has been in a while," Lackey said. "I just know that I amaggressive when I face these guys and try to work ahead in thecount."


The righthander left after allowing a leadoff double in theninth to B.J. Upton, and closer Francisco Rodriguez yielded anRBI single to Jorge Velandia before notching his 36th save.

"I felt like I could have finished the game, but Franky came inand did a great job getting them out," Lackey said.

Lackey spoiled a fine outing by Tampa Bay starter Jason Hammel(2-5), who yielded two runs and seven hits in six frames.

"I knew coming into this game that I had to pitch a good gamewith the way they (Angels) have been hitting lately," Hammelsaid. "Lackey is one of the games toughest pitchers and Ithought I pitched good enough to keep us in the game."

The Angels took advantage of an error in the first inning totake a 1-0 lead. Leadoff man Chone Figgins singled, stole secondand advanced to third on a throwing error by Devil Rays catcherDioner Navarro before scoring on a wild pitch.


"I coached those guys for years and that's one thing that theycan do when you give them extra outs," Devil Rays manager JoeMaddon said. "They will capitalize most of the time and theydid tonight."


The Angels added an insurance run in the sixth inning, whenAnderson doubled to right and scored after a pair of groundouts.

"Howie (Kendrick) beat out the double play ball for another runwhich ended up being enough for us to get the win," Sciosciasaid.


Anderson is batting .437 (35-for-80) over his last 21 games andleads the majors since the All-Star break with 62 RBI in the 61games.

 

Lackey takes shutout into ninth as Angels move closer to clinching

<h3>LA ANGELS 2, TAMPA BAY 1</h3>By Chris Padula
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheimmoved closer to their third American League West crown in fouryears behind the arm of Cy Young candidate John Lackey.

Lackey pitched eight-plus dominant innings as the Angels posteda 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Tuesday.

Garret Anderson kept up his torrid hitting for the Angels(89-62), who reduced their magic number to four for clinchingthe division title.


"We couldn't have gained breathing room in the standings withoutthe way Garret has been swinging the bat," Angels manager MikeScioscia said.


Lackey (17-9), who has won 14 games twice before, added to hiscareer-best win total by improving to 8-1 in 10 career startsvs. Tampa Bay. The righthander yielded just a run, five hitsand two walks while striking out 10 in coming within three outsof his third shutout of the season.


"(I) felt strong and my pitch selection tonight was better thanit has been in a while," Lackey said. "I just know that I amaggressive when I face these guys and try to work ahead in thecount."


The righthander left after allowing a leadoff double in theninth to B.J. Upton, and closer Francisco Rodriguez yielded anRBI single to Jorge Velandia before notching his 36th save.

"I felt like I could have finished the game, but Franky came inand did a great job getting them out," Lackey said.

Lackey spoiled a fine outing by Tampa Bay starter Jason Hammel(2-5), who yielded two runs and seven hits in six frames.

"I knew coming into this game that I had to pitch a good gamewith the way they (Angels) have been hitting lately," Hammelsaid. "Lackey is one of the games toughest pitchers and Ithought I pitched good enough to keep us in the game."

The Angels took advantage of an error in the first inning totake a 1-0 lead. Leadoff man Chone Figgins singled, stole secondand advanced to third on a throwing error by Devil Rays catcherDioner Navarro before scoring on a wild pitch.


"I coached those guys for years and that's one thing that theycan do when you give them extra outs," Devil Rays manager JoeMaddon said. "They will capitalize most of the time and theydid tonight."


The Angels added an insurance run in the sixth inning, whenAnderson doubled to right and scored after a pair of groundouts.

"Howie (Kendrick) beat out the double play ball for another runwhich ended up being enough for us to get the win," Sciosciasaid.


Anderson is batting .437 (35-for-80) over his last 21 games andleads the majors since the All-Star break with 62 RBI in the 61games.