AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">TEXAS (4) VS LA ANGELS (9) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg K Lofton cf 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .307 M Young ss 4 1 1 1 0 2 1 .285 M Teixeira 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .297 S Sosa dh 4 2 2 0 0 2 0 .245 F Catalanotto lf 3 0 0 1 0 1 0 .228 M Byrd rf 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 .371 G Laird c 2 0 0 1 2 0 1 .228 R Vazquez 3b 4 0 1 0 0 1 6 .241 J Hairston Jr 2b 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 .204 a-B Wilkerson ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .226 D Relaford 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200 Totals 33 4 8 3 2 9 16 a-struck out looking for J Hairston Jr in the 8th. BATTING: 2B - K Lofton (15, J Lackey); R Vazquez (6, J Lackey). 3B - S Sosa (1, J Lackey). RBI - M Young (51), G Laird (28), F Catalanotto (23). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - B Wilkerson 1, K Lofton 1, J Hairston Jr 2. Team LOB - 8. FIELDING: E - R Vazquez (4, ground ball); F Francisco (2, throw); K Lofton (3, throw). Outfield assists - K Lofton (J Molina at 3rd base), M Byrd (R Willits at Home). LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg R Willits dh 3 1 2 2 2 0 0 .316 C Figgins 3b 3 1 1 0 2 1 5 .300 O Cabrera ss 4 2 0 0 1 0 1 .324 V Guerrero rf 5 1 2 2 0 0 1 .328 G Matthews Jr cf 4 1 2 2 1 1 2 .285 G Anderson lf 5 2 2 0 0 1 3 .283 C Kotchman 1b 4 0 1 1 0 1 1 .290 M Izturis 2b 4 1 2 1 0 0 1 .257 J Molina c 3 0 1 1 1 1 3 .224 Totals 35 9 13 9 7 5 17 BATTING: 2B - G Anderson (13, K Loe); J Molina (7, W Eyre); G Matthews Jr (17, F Francisco). RBI - V Guerrero 2 (77), R Willits 2 (27), C Kotchman (40), M Izturis (17), J Molina (8), G Matthews Jr 2 (46). 2-out RBI - R Willits 2, G Matthews Jr 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Figgins 3, G Anderson 2, G Matthews Jr 1. Team LOB - 9. BASERUNNING: SB - C Figgins (21, 2nd base off W Littleton/G Laird). CS - C Figgins (6, 2nd base by F Francisco/G Laird). FIELDING: E - C Kotchman (2, throw). ---------------------------------------------------- TEXAS - 301 000 00 -- 4 LA ANGELS - 113 011 02 -- 9 ---------------------------------------------------- TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era K Loe 2 2/3 5 5 3 5 2 0 5.49 W Eyre 2 1/3 3 1 1 0 1 0 3.65 W Littleton 2/3 1 1 1 1 1 0 4.50 C Wilson 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.90 F Francisco 1 4 2 2 1 0 0 4.19 LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era J Lackey 6 7 4 3 1 5 0 2.98 J Speier 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 1.59 S Shields 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1.66 WP - K Loe, W Littleton. HBP - F Catalanotto (by J Lackey). Pitches-strikes: K Loe 67-37; W Eyre 29-16; W Littleton 14-9; C Wilson 18-11; F Francisco 26-15; J Lackey 113-72; J Speier 13-9; S Shields 20-13. Ground balls-fly balls: K Loe 3-3; W Eyre 4-1; W Littleton 0-1; C Wilson 2-1; F Francisco 0-1; J Lackey 6-8; J Speier 0-0; S Shields 0-2. Batters faced: K Loe 19; W Eyre 9; W Littleton 4; C Wilson 4; F Francisco 6; J Lackey 28; J Speier 3; S Shields 5. UMPIRES: HP--Rick Reed. 1B--Chuck Meriwether. 2B--Alfonso Marquez. 3B--Tim Timmons. Weather: 83 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 10 mph, out to right.</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - PITCHING CHANGE LAA: DUSTIN MOSELEY (4-1, 2.60) STARTING THE 9TH CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 9 DUE UP FOR TEXAS: K LOFTON (.307, 2-FOR-4)</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: D Moseley relieved S Shields. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 4 LA ANGELS 9 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR TEXAS: K Lofton (.307, 2-FOR-4)</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - SCORING UPDATE DOUBLE BY MARK TEIXEIRA SCORED KENNY LOFTON. SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, M TEIXEIRA ON SECOND, 1 OUT CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 5 LA ANGELS 9 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR TEXAS: S SOSA (.245, 2-FOR-4)</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - TEXAS 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 10 3 LA ANGELS 1 1 3 0 1 1 0 2 x 9 13 1 (FINAL) BATTERIES: TEX - KAMERON LOE, WILLIE EYRE (3RD), WES LITTLETON (6TH), C.J. WILSON (6TH), FRANK FRANCISCO (8TH) AND GERALD LAIRD LAA - JOHN LACKEY, JUSTIN SPEIER (7TH), SCOT SHIELDS (8TH), DUSTIN MOSELEY (9TH) AND JOSE MOLINA HOME RUNS: TEX - NONE LAA - NONE</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - TEXAS 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 10 3 LA ANGELS 1 1 3 0 1 1 0 2 x 9 13 1 (FINAL) BATTERIES: TEX - KAMERON LOE, WILLIE EYRE (3RD), WES LITTLETON (6TH), C.J. WILSON (6TH), FRANK FRANCISCO (8TH) AND GERALD LAIRD LAA - JOHN LACKEY, JUSTIN SPEIER (7TH), SCOT SHIELDS (8TH), DUSTIN MOSELEY (9TH) AND JOSE MOLINA WP - JOHN LACKEY (12-5) LP - KAMERON LOE (5-7) SAVE - NONE HOME RUNS: TEX - NONE LAA - NONE TIME: 3:16 ATT: 44,026 PROBABLES: TEX - BRANDON MCCARTHY (4-6, 5.70) LAA - JERED WEAVER (6-5, 3.67)</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">TEXAS (5) VS LA ANGELS (9) - FINAL TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg K Lofton cf 5 2 3 0 0 0 1 .309 M Young ss 5 1 1 1 0 3 2 .284 M Teixeira 1b 5 0 1 1 0 1 1 .300 S Sosa dh 5 2 2 0 0 2 1 .244 F Catalanotto lf 4 0 0 1 0 1 1 .226 M Byrd rf 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 .371 G Laird c 2 0 0 1 2 0 1 .228 R Vazquez 3b 4 0 1 0 0 1 6 .241 J Hairston Jr 2b 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 .204 a-B Wilkerson ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .226 D Relaford 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200 Totals 38 5 10 4 2 10 19 a-struck out looking for J Hairston Jr in the 8th. BATTING: 2B - K Lofton 2 (16, J Lackey, D Moseley); R Vazquez (6, J Lackey); M Teixeira (20, D Moseley). 3B - S Sosa (1, J Lackey). RBI - M Young (51), G Laird (28), F Catalanotto (23), M Teixeira (42). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - B Wilkerson 1, F Catalanotto 1, K Lofton 1, J Hairston Jr 2. Team LOB - 9. FIELDING: E - R Vazquez (4, ground ball); F Francisco (2, throw); K Lofton (3, throw). Outfield assists - K Lofton (J Molina at 3rd base), M Byrd (R Willits at Home). LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg R Willits dh 3 1 2 2 2 0 0 .316 C Figgins 3b 3 1 1 0 2 1 5 .300 O Cabrera ss 4 2 0 0 1 0 1 .324 V Guerrero rf 5 1 2 2 0 0 1 .328 G Matthews Jr cf 4 1 2 2 1 1 2 .285 G Anderson lf 5 2 2 0 0 1 3 .283 C Kotchman 1b 4 0 1 1 0 1 1 .290 M Izturis 2b 4 1 2 1 0 0 1 .257 J Molina c 3 0 1 1 1 1 3 .224 Totals 35 9 13 9 7 5 17 BATTING: 2B - G Anderson (13, K Loe); J Molina (7, W Eyre); G Matthews Jr (17, F Francisco). RBI - V Guerrero 2 (77), R Willits 2 (27), C Kotchman (40), M Izturis (17), J Molina (8), G Matthews Jr 2 (46). 2-out RBI - R Willits 2, G Matthews Jr 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Figgins 3, G Anderson 2, G Matthews Jr 1. Team LOB - 9. BASERUNNING: SB - C Figgins (21, 2nd base off W Littleton/G Laird). CS - C Figgins (6, 2nd base by F Francisco/G Laird). FIELDING: E - C Kotchman (2, throw). ---------------------------------------------------- TEXAS - 301 000 001 -- 5 LA ANGELS - 113 011 02x -- 9 ---------------------------------------------------- TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era K Loe (L, 5-7) 2 2/3 5 5 3 5 2 0 5.49 W Eyre 2 1/3 3 1 1 0 1 0 3.65 W Littleton 2/3 1 1 1 1 1 0 4.50 C Wilson 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.90 F Francisco 1 4 2 2 1 0 0 4.19 LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era J Lackey (W, 12-5) 6 7 4 3 1 5 0 2.98 J Speier (H, 9) 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 1.59 S Shields (H, 21) 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1.66 D Moseley 1 2 1 1 0 1 0 2.74 WP - K Loe, W Littleton. HBP - F Catalanotto (by J Lackey). Pitches-strikes: K Loe 67-37; W Eyre 29-16; W Littleton 14-9; C Wilson 18-11; F Francisco 26-15; J Lackey 113-72; J Speier 13-9; S Shields 20-13; D Moseley 23-16. Ground balls-fly balls: K Loe 3-3; W Eyre 4-1; W Littleton 0-1; C Wilson 2-1; F Francisco 0-1; J Lackey 6-8; J Speier 0-0; S Shields 0-2; D Moseley 2-0. Batters faced: K Loe 19; W Eyre 9; W Littleton 4; C Wilson 4; F Francisco 6; J Lackey 28; J Speier 3; S Shields 5; D Moseley 5. UMPIRES: HP--Rick Reed. 1B--Chuck Meriwether. 2B--Alfonso Marquez. 3B--Tim Timmons. T--3:16. Att--44,026. Weather: 83 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 10 mph, out to right.</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TEXAS (5) AT LA ANGELS (9) - HOW THEY SCORED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TEXAS 1ST: K Lofton doubled to left. M Young singled to right, K Lofton scored. M Teixeira grounded out to shortstop, M Young to second. S Sosa singled to left, M Young to third. F Catalanotto hit by pitch, S Sosa to second. M Byrd grounded into fielder's choice to first, M Young scored, S Sosa to third, F Catalanotto safe at second on throwing error by first baseman C Kotchman. G Laird walked, S Sosa scored, F Catalanotto to third, M Byrd to second. R Vazquez struck out swinging. J Hairston Jr lined out to center. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 1 Error) TEXAS 3, LA ANGELS 0. LA ANGELS 1ST: R Willits walked. C Figgins walked, R Willits to second. O Cabrera grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, C Figgins out at second, R Willits to third. V Guerrero grounded out to second, R Willits scored, O Cabrera to second. G Matthews Jr lined out to right. (1 Run, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, LA ANGELS 1. LA ANGELS 2ND: G Anderson doubled to left center. C Kotchman struck out swinging. M Izturis flied out to center. J Molina walked. R Willits singled to left, G Anderson scored, J Molina to second. C Figgins grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, LA ANGELS 2. TEXAS 3RD: S Sosa tripled to deep center. F Catalanotto grounded out to shortstop, S Sosa scored. M Byrd singled to left. G Laird flied out to right. R Vazquez flied out to center. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 2. LA ANGELS 3RD: O Cabrera safe at first on error by third baseman R Vazquez. V Guerrero flied out to left. O Cabrera to second on wild pitch by K Loe. G Matthews Jr walked. G Anderson singled to right, O Cabrera to third, G Matthews Jr to second. C Kotchman singled to center, O Cabrera scored, G Matthews Jr to third, G Anderson to second. M Izturis singled to right, G Matthews Jr scored, G Anderson to third, C Kotchman to second. J Molina struck out swinging. R Willits walked, G Anderson scored, C Kotchman to third, M Izturis to second. W Eyre relieved K Loe. C Figgins struck out swinging. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 1 Error) TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 5. LA ANGELS 5TH: C Kotchman popped out to second. M Izturis singled to center. J Molina doubled to deep center, M Izturis scored, J Molina out stretching at third. R Willits bunt grounded out to catcher. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 6. LA ANGELS 6TH: W Littleton relieved W Eyre. C Figgins walked. C Figgins stole second. O Cabrera flied out to right, C Figgins to third. V Guerrero singled to left, C Figgins scored. G Matthews Jr struck out swinging, V Guerrero to second on wild pitch by W Littleton. C Wilson relieved W Littleton. G Anderson struck out swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 7. LA ANGELS 8TH: D Relaford at second base. F Francisco relieved C Wilson. R Willits reached on infield single to third. R Willits safe at second on throwing error by pitcher F Francisco. C Figgins singled to right, R Willits thrown out at home, R Willits to third advancing on play. C Figgins caught stealing second, catcher to shortstop. O Cabrera walked. V Guerrero singled to center, O Cabrera to third. G Matthews Jr doubled to deep center, O Cabrera and V Guerrero scored, G Matthews Jr to third on throwing error by center fielder K Lofton. G Anderson popped out to shortstop. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 2 Errors) TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 9. TEXAS 9TH: D Moseley relieved S Shields. K Lofton doubled to deep center. M Young struck out looking. M Teixeira doubled to deep right, K Lofton scored. S Sosa grounded out to pitcher. F Catalanotto grounded out to third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 5, LA ANGELS 9.</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TEXAS (5) AT LA ANGELS (9) - EVENT LOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Texas Starting Lineups -- K Lofton CF, M Young SS, M Teixeira 1B, S Sosa DH, F Catalanotto LF, M Byrd RF, G Laird C, R Vazquez 3B, J Hairston Jr 2B, K Loe RHP. La Angels Starting Lineups -- R Willits DH, C Figgins 3B, O Cabrera SS, V Guerrero RF, G Matthews Jr CF, G Anderson LF, C Kotchman 1B, M Izturis 2B, J Molina C, J Lackey RHP. Umpires -- Rick Reed (HP), Chuck Meriwether (1B), Alfonso Marquez (2B), Tim Timmons (3B). Gametime Weather: 83 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind out to right at 10 mph. TEXAS 1ST: K Lofton doubled to left. M Young singled to right, K Lofton scored. M Teixeira grounded out to shortstop, M Young to second. S Sosa singled to left, M Young to third. F Catalanotto hit by pitch, S Sosa to second. M Byrd grounded into fielder's choice to first, M Young scored, S Sosa to third, F Catalanotto safe at second on throwing error by first baseman C Kotchman. G Laird walked, S Sosa scored, F Catalanotto to third, M Byrd to second. R Vazquez struck out swinging. J Hairston Jr lined out to center. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 1 Error) TEXAS 3, LA ANGELS 0. LA ANGELS 1ST: R Willits walked. C Figgins walked, R Willits to second. O Cabrera grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, C Figgins out at second, R Willits to third. V Guerrero grounded out to second, R Willits scored, O Cabrera to second. G Matthews Jr lined out to right. (1 Run, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, LA ANGELS 1. TEXAS 2ND: K Lofton flied out to left. M Young struck out swinging. M Teixeira grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, LA ANGELS 1. LA ANGELS 2ND: G Anderson doubled to left center. C Kotchman struck out swinging. M Izturis flied out to center. J Molina walked. R Willits singled to left, G Anderson scored, J Molina to second. C Figgins grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 3, LA ANGELS 2. TEXAS 3RD: S Sosa tripled to deep center. F Catalanotto grounded out to shortstop, S Sosa scored. M Byrd singled to left. G Laird flied out to right. R Vazquez flied out to center. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 2. LA ANGELS 3RD: O Cabrera safe at first on error by third baseman R Vazquez. V Guerrero flied out to left. O Cabrera to second on wild pitch by K Loe. G Matthews Jr walked. G Anderson singled to right, O Cabrera to third, G Matthews Jr to second. C Kotchman singled to center, O Cabrera scored, G Matthews Jr to third, G Anderson to second. M Izturis singled to right, G Matthews Jr scored, G Anderson to third, C Kotchman to second. J Molina struck out swinging. R Willits walked, G Anderson scored, C Kotchman to third, M Izturis to second. W Eyre relieved K Loe. C Figgins struck out swinging. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 1 Error) TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 5. TEXAS 4TH: J Hairston Jr popped out to shortstop. K Lofton singled to center. M Young flied out to right. M Teixeira flied out to center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 5. LA ANGELS 4TH: O Cabrera grounded out to first. V Guerrero grounded out to shortstop. G Matthews Jr singled to left. G Anderson grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 5. TEXAS 5TH: S Sosa struck out swinging. F Catalanotto struck out swinging. M Byrd struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 5. LA ANGELS 5TH: C Kotchman popped out to second. M Izturis singled to center. J Molina doubled to deep center, M Izturis scored, J Molina out stretching at third. R Willits bunt grounded out to catcher. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 6. TEXAS 6TH: G Laird grounded out to third. R Vazquez doubled to deep right. J Hairston Jr flied out to left. K Lofton grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 6. LA ANGELS 6TH: W Littleton relieved W Eyre. C Figgins walked. C Figgins stole second. O Cabrera flied out to right, C Figgins to third. V Guerrero singled to left, C Figgins scored. G Matthews Jr struck out swinging, V Guerrero to second on wild pitch by W Littleton. C Wilson relieved W Littleton. G Anderson struck out swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 7. TEXAS 7TH: J Speier relieved J Lackey. M Young struck out swinging. M Teixeira struck out looking. S Sosa struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 7. LA ANGELS 7TH: C Kotchman grounded out to second. M Izturis fouled out to first. J Molina grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 7. TEXAS 8TH: S Shields relieved J Speier. F Catalanotto flied out to left. M Byrd singled to left. G Laird walked, M Byrd to second. R Vazquez flied out to center. B Wilkerson hit for J Hairston Jr. B Wilkerson struck out looking. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 7. LA ANGELS 8TH: D Relaford at second base. F Francisco relieved C Wilson. R Willits reached on infield single to third. R Willits safe at second on throwing error by pitcher F Francisco. C Figgins singled to right, R Willits thrown out at home, R Willits to third advancing on play. C Figgins caught stealing second, catcher to shortstop. O Cabrera walked. V Guerrero singled to center, O Cabrera to third. G Matthews Jr doubled to deep center, O Cabrera and V Guerrero scored, G Matthews Jr to third on throwing error by center fielder K Lofton. G Anderson popped out to shortstop. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 2 Errors) TEXAS 4, LA ANGELS 9. TEXAS 9TH: D Moseley relieved S Shields. K Lofton doubled to deep center. M Young struck out looking. M Teixeira doubled to deep right, K Lofton scored. S Sosa grounded out to pitcher. F Catalanotto grounded out to third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 5, LA ANGELS 9.</div>
Offense bails out Lackey as Angels top Rangers <h3>LA ANGELS 9, TEXAS 5</h3>ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- John Lackey got off to a roughstart but settled down nicely as the Los Angeles Angeles ofAnaheim offered up some rare offensive support en route to a 9-5victory over the Texas Rangers on Saturday. Vladimir Guerrero and rookie Reggie Willits drove in two runseach for the Angels, who managed more than four runs for justthe fourth time in their last 14 contests. Lackey (12-5) tied Boston's Josh Beckett and Cleveland's C.C.Sabathia for the major league lead with his 12th win of theseason. The veteran righthander yielded four runs - threeearned - and seven hits in six innings while striking out fiveand issuing one walk. The four runs - three of which came in the opening frame - weremore than Lackey had surrendered in two previous starts combinedagainst the Rangers this season. But he still was able tonotch his third win against the American League West Divisionrivals. Three relievers combined close out the Rangers over the finalthree innings and the Angels piled on two more runs in theeighth to break open the game. Texas starter Kameron Loe took the brunt of the damage in athree-run third inning that put Anaheim on top for good. AfterOrlando Cabrera reached on an error, Loe unleashed a wild pitchbefore issuing a one-out walk to Gary Matthews Jr. Garret Anderson loaded the bases with a single, and consecutiveRBI base hits by Casey Kotchman and Maicer Izturis tied the gameat 4-4. Loe struck out Jose Molina before walking Willits toforce in the go-ahead run. Loe (5-7) lasted just 2 2/3 innings, yielding five runs - threeearned - and five hits while walking five and striking out apair. It was the 25-year-old righthander's worst outing since beingrecalled from the minors on June 14. He entered Saturday'scontest with a 4-0 mark and 1.60 ERA in five starts since hisrecall. Combined with Friday night's defeat, the setback means Texas'string of seven straight series without a loss will come to anend. The Rangers had not lost a series since June 12-14 atPittsburgh.
Offense bails out Lackey as Angels top Rangers <h3>LA ANGELS 9, TEXAS 5</h3>ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- John Lackey got off to a roughstart but settled down nicely as the Los Angeles Angels ofAnaheim offered up some rare offensive support en route to a 9-5victory over the Texas Rangers on Saturday. Vladimir Guerrero and rookie Reggie Willits drove in two runseach for the Angels, who managed more than four runs for justthe fourth time in their last 14 contests. Lackey (12-5) tied Boston's Josh Beckett and Cleveland's C.C.Sabathia for the major league lead with his 12th win of theseason. The veteran righthander yielded four runs - threeearned - and seven hits in six innings while striking out fiveand issuing one walk. "Anytime Lackey's on the mound, you know he's going to battle,"Willits said. "No matter what the situation he's in, he's goingto battle." The four runs - three of which came in the opening frame - weremore than Lackey had surrendered in two previous starts combinedagainst the Rangers this season. But he still was able tonotch his third win against the American League West Divisionrivals. "All I was thinking was, 'I have to figure out some way to getout of this,'" Lackey said of his first inning. "It felt like Iwas out there for a while. Sometimes you got to grind and justtry to be a little bit better than the other guy." Justin Speier, Scot Shields and Dustin Moseley combined to closeout the Rangers over the final three innings, and the Angelspiled on two more runs in the eighth to break open the game. "To see him come in and strike out three guys was terrific,"Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of Speier, who struck out theside in the seventh inning in his first appearance since comingoff the disabled list Friday. "Now with Justin back and Scot and leading up to (FranciscoRodriguez), it really brings a lot of depth, and we're going toneed every little bit of it." Texas starter Kameron Loe took the brunt of the damage in athree-run third inning that put Anaheim on top for good. AfterOrlando Cabrera reached on an error, Loe unleashed a wild pitchbefore issuing a one-out walk to Gary Matthews Jr. "It was good to see a lot of good things done on the bases,"Scioscia said. "We're starting to score runs the way we needto." Garret Anderson loaded the bases with a single, and consecutiveRBI base hits by Casey Kotchman and Maicer Izturis tied the gameat 4-4. Loe struck out Jose Molina before walking Willits toforce in the go-ahead run. "Between Reggie and Chone Figgins, I think they were on baseseven or eight times, and that's where we need to go to winballgames," Scioscia said. Loe (5-7) lasted just 2 2/3 innings, yielding five runs - threeearned - and five hits while walking five and striking out apair. It was the 25-year-old righthander's worst outing since beingrecalled from the minors on June 14. He entered Saturday'scontest with a 4-0 mark and 1.60 ERA in five starts since hisrecall. "Coming back (and scoring a run) in the first off Loe gaveourselves a little bit of a longer inning," Scioscia said."That gave John a chance to catch his breath and make somepitches and maintain his stuff." Combined with Friday night's defeat, the setback means Texas'string of seven straight series without a loss will come to anend. The Rangers had not lost a series since June 12-14 atPittsburgh.
