GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: LA ANGELS (62-44) at OAKLAND (51-57)

AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">LA ANGELS (6) VS OAKLAND (4) - FINAL

LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Figgins 3b 4 0 2 0 1 0 1 .335
O Cabrera ss 4 2 0 0 1 0 3 .308
V Guerrero dh 5 2 2 4 0 1 2 .326
G Anderson lf 5 0 1 1 0 1 1 .289
G Matthews Jr cf 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .276
C Kotchman 1b 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .300
M Izturis 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .266
J Mathis c 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 .214
R Willits rf 4 1 1 1 0 0 2 .303

Totals 36 6 9 6 4 5 11

BATTING: 2B - G Anderson (19, A Brown); C Kotchman (23, J Kennedy). HR - V
Guerrero 2 (16, 4th inning off C Gaudin 0 on, 0 Out, 5th inning off C Gaudin 2
on, 2 Out). RBI - V Guerrero 4 (87), G Anderson (32), R Willits (30). 2-out RBI
- V Guerrero 3, G Anderson. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Figgins
1, G Anderson 1, G Matthews Jr 1, R Willits 1. Team LOB - 7.


OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
T Buck rf 5 0 1 0 0 1 0 .281
S Stewart lf 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .302
N Swisher 1b 3 0 1 1 1 0 0 .257
M Piazza dh 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .297
M Ellis 2b 4 1 1 1 0 1 2 .261
M Scutaro 3b 2 1 1 0 2 0 0 .240
M Kotsay cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .231
K Suzuki c 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .227
D Murphy ss 4 2 2 2 0 1 1 .194

Totals 34 4 7 4 3 5 13

BATTING: 2B - M Scutaro (6, J Saunders); D Murphy (5, J Saunders). HR - M Ellis
(14, 4th inning off J Saunders 0 on, 1 Out), D Murphy (1, 9th inning off D
Oliver 1 on, 2 Out). RBI - M Ellis (48), N Swisher (56), D Murphy 2 (6). 2-out
RBI - N Swisher, D Murphy 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Ellis
1, M Piazza 1, D Murphy 1. Team LOB - 6.

FIELDING: E - N Swisher (1, ground ball). PB - K Suzuki.


----------------------------------------------------
LA ANGELS - 000 130 110 -- 6
OAKLAND - 000 110 002 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era
J Saunders (W, 5-0) 6 2/3 6 2 2 2 3 1 3.10
J Speier (H, 12) 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.08
D Oliver 2/3 1 2 2 1 1 1 4.78
F Rodriguez (S, 26) 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.74

OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era
C Gaudin (L, 8-7) 6 7 5 5 3 3 2 3.88
A Brown 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 2.84
J Kennedy 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 4.37
K Calero 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 5.56

C Gaudin pitched to 2 batters in the 7th.

Pitches-strikes: J Saunders 102-61; J Speier 10-7; D Oliver 23-12; F
Rodriguez 3-3; C Gaudin 108-64; A Brown 13-8; J Kennedy 17-9; K Calero 17-10.
Ground balls-fly balls: J Saunders 8-9; J Speier 1-3; D Oliver 0-1; F Rodriguez
0-0; C Gaudin 11-4; A Brown 0-1; J Kennedy 3-0; K Calero 1-1. Batters faced: J
Saunders 28; J Speier 4; D Oliver 4; F Rodriguez 1; C Gaudin 29; A Brown 3; J
Kennedy 5; K Calero 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Alfonso Marquez. 1B--Chris Guccione. 2B--Mike Everitt. 3B--Gerry
Davis.

T--2:50. Att--21,654.
Weather: 65 degrees, clear. Wind: 12 mph, left to
right.</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
LA ANGELS 6
OAKLAND 4 FINAL</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LA ANGELS (6) AT OAKLAND (4) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LA ANGELS 4TH: V Guerrero homered to left. G Anderson grounded out to
first. G Matthews Jr grounded out to second. C Kotchman singled to center.
M Izturis grounded out to first. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 0.

OAKLAND 4TH: M Piazza struck out swinging. M Ellis homered to left center.
M Scutaro fouled out to third. M Kotsay grounded out to second. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 1.

LA ANGELS 5TH: J Mathis struck out swinging. R Willits singled to right.
C Figgins singled to left, R Willits to second. O Cabrera grounded into
fielder's choice to first, C Figgins out at second, R Willits to third.
V Guerrero homered to left, R Willits and O Cabrera scored. G Anderson struck
out swinging. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 4, OAKLAND 1.

OAKLAND 5TH: K Suzuki lined out to center. D Murphy doubled to deep right
center. T Buck reached on infield single to shortstop, D Murphy to third.
S Stewart flied out to right. N Swisher singled to left, D Murphy scored, T Buck
to second. M Piazza flied out to right. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 4,
OAKLAND 2.

LA ANGELS 7TH: C Figgins safe at first on error by first baseman N Swisher.
O Cabrera walked, C Figgins to second. A Brown relieved C Gaudin. C Figgins
out at third on runner's fielder's choice. V Guerrero popped out to first.
G Anderson doubled to deep left center, O Cabrera scored. G Matthews Jr struck
out swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) LA ANGELS 5, OAKLAND 2.

LA ANGELS 8TH: J Kennedy relieved A Brown. C Kotchman doubled to deep right
center. M Izturis grounded out to first, C Kotchman to third. J Mathis
walked. R Willits grounded out to second, C Kotchman scored, J Mathis to
second. C Figgins grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
LA ANGELS 6, OAKLAND 2.

OAKLAND 9TH: D Oliver relieved J Speier. M Scutaro walked. M Kotsay flied
out to center. K Suzuki struck out looking. M Scutaro to second on fielder's
indifference. D Murphy homered to left, M Scutaro scored. F Rodriguez relieved
D Oliver. T Buck struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 6,
OAKLAND 4.</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LA ANGELS (6) AT OAKLAND (4) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

La Angels Starting Lineups -- C Figgins 3B, O Cabrera SS, V Guerrero DH,
G Anderson LF, G Matthews Jr CF, C Kotchman 1B, M Izturis 2B, J Mathis C,
R Willits RF, J Saunders LHP.

Oakland Starting Lineups -- T Buck RF, S Stewart LF, N Swisher 1B, M Piazza DH,
M Ellis 2B, M Scutaro 3B, M Kotsay CF, K Suzuki C, D Murphy SS, C Gaudin RHP.

Umpires -- Alfonso Marquez (HP), Chris Guccione (1B), Mike Everitt (2B), Gerry Davis (3B).

Gametime Weather: 65 degrees, Clear, wind left to right at 12 mph.


LA ANGELS 1ST: C Figgins singled to center. O Cabrera fouled out to third.
V Guerrero flied out to center. C Figgins to second on passed ball by
K Suzuki. G Anderson grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 0,
OAKLAND 0.

OAKLAND 1ST: T Buck grounded out to first. S Stewart singled to left.
N Swisher walked, S Stewart to second. M Piazza flied out to center, S Stewart
to third. M Ellis struck out looking. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 0,
OAKLAND 0.

LA ANGELS 2ND: G Matthews Jr grounded out to shortstop. C Kotchman
grounded out to first. M Izturis flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA ANGELS 0, OAKLAND 0.

OAKLAND 2ND: M Scutaro doubled to deep right. M Kotsay grounded out to
first, M Scutaro to third. K Suzuki grounded out to shortstop. D Murphy
grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 0, OAKLAND 0.

LA ANGELS 3RD: J Mathis popped out to shortstop. R Willits grounded out to
shortstop. C Figgins walked. O Cabrera grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 0, OAKLAND 0.

OAKLAND 3RD: T Buck grounded out to pitcher. S Stewart flied out to
center. N Swisher flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 0,
OAKLAND 0.

LA ANGELS 4TH: V Guerrero homered to left. G Anderson grounded out to
first. G Matthews Jr grounded out to second. C Kotchman singled to center.
M Izturis grounded out to first. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 0.

OAKLAND 4TH: M Piazza struck out swinging. M Ellis homered to left center.
M Scutaro fouled out to third. M Kotsay grounded out to second. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 1.

LA ANGELS 5TH: J Mathis struck out swinging. R Willits singled to right.
C Figgins singled to left, R Willits to second. O Cabrera grounded into
fielder's choice to first, C Figgins out at second, R Willits to third.
V Guerrero homered to left, R Willits and O Cabrera scored. G Anderson struck
out swinging. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 4, OAKLAND 1.

OAKLAND 5TH: K Suzuki lined out to center. D Murphy doubled to deep right
center. T Buck reached on infield single to shortstop, D Murphy to third.
S Stewart flied out to right. N Swisher singled to left, D Murphy scored, T Buck
to second. M Piazza flied out to right. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 4,
OAKLAND 2.

LA ANGELS 6TH: G Matthews Jr struck out swinging. C Kotchman grounded out
to first. M Izturis singled to left. J Mathis walked, M Izturis to second.
R Willits grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 4,
OAKLAND 2.

OAKLAND 6TH: M Ellis popped out to second. M Scutaro walked. M Kotsay
flied out to left. K Suzuki grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop,
M Scutaro out at second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 4, OAKLAND 2.

LA ANGELS 7TH: C Figgins safe at first on error by first baseman N Swisher.
O Cabrera walked, C Figgins to second. A Brown relieved C Gaudin. C Figgins
out at third on runner's fielder's choice. V Guerrero popped out to first.
G Anderson doubled to deep left center, O Cabrera scored. G Matthews Jr struck
out swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) LA ANGELS 5, OAKLAND 2.

OAKLAND 7TH: D Murphy struck out swinging. T Buck grounded out to second.
J Speier relieved J Saunders. S Stewart grounded out to second. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 5, OAKLAND 2.

LA ANGELS 8TH: J Kennedy relieved A Brown. C Kotchman doubled to deep right
center. M Izturis grounded out to first, C Kotchman to third. J Mathis
walked. R Willits grounded out to second, C Kotchman scored, J Mathis to
second. C Figgins grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
LA ANGELS 6, OAKLAND 2.

OAKLAND 8TH: N Swisher fouled out to catcher. M Piazza flied out to
center. M Ellis flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 6,
OAKLAND 2.

LA ANGELS 9TH: K Calero relieved J Kennedy. O Cabrera lined out to center.
V Guerrero struck out swinging. G Anderson grounded out to second. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 6, OAKLAND 2.

OAKLAND 9TH: D Oliver relieved J Speier. M Scutaro walked. M Kotsay flied
out to center. K Suzuki struck out looking. M Scutaro to second on fielder's
indifference. D Murphy homered to left, M Scutaro scored. F Rodriguez relieved
D Oliver. T Buck struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 6,
OAKLAND 4.</div>

 

Guerrero homers twice as Angels top Athletics

<h3>LA ANGELS 6, OAKLAND 4</h3>By Tom Kent
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Vladimir Guerrero ended hisdrought with a bang.


Guerrero belted two home runs and drove in four runs as the LosAngeles Angels of Anaheim posted a 6-4 triumph over the OaklandAthletics on Thursday.


Guerrero entered with a career-worst home run drought of 125at-bats that spanned 30 games, dating back to June 23 againstthe Pittsburgh Pirates. After hitting seven shots in April, hehad managed just seven prior to Thursday.


The dubious streak came to an end in the fourth inning, asGuerrero swatted a solo shot to left field off Oakland starterChad Gaudin for a 1-0 edge. It was just his third homer in 50games.


With one out in the fifth and the contest tied at 1-1, ReggieWillits and Chone Figgins singled. Following a forceout byOrlando Cabrera, the stage was set for Guerrero's firstmulti-homer effort of the season.


The slugger deposited a 1-0 offering from Gaudin deep into theleft-center field seats for his 16th blast of the campaign,giving the Angels a 4-1 advantage.


Gaudin entered having allowed only eight home runs in 131innings this season, the third-lowest mark in the AmericanLeague. Of the 10 homers he has now surrendered, three havebeen hit by Guerrero.


Garret Anderson added an RBI double in the seventh and Willitsplated a run with a groundout an inning later to give the Angelsa 6-2 bulge.


Donnie Murphy made things interesting with a two-out, two-runhomer off Darren Oliver in the bottom of the ninth, butFrancisco Rodriguez came on to strike out rookie Travis Buck andnotch his 26th save in 29 opportunities.


Guerrero's power surge helped Joe Saunders (5-0) remain unbeatenthis season. Recalled from Class AAA Salt Lake on July 22 forhis fourth stint with Anaheim this year, the lefthander yieldedtwo runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings, walking two and strikingout three.


Gaudin (8-7), who was a hard-luck loser after tossing his firstcareer complete game in Saturday's 4-3 loss to Seattle, allowedfive runs, seven hits and three walks in six innings. The24-year-old righthander, who has lost four straight decisions,struck out a pair.


In the fourth, Mark Ellis belted a 2-0 pitch from Saunders overthe left-center field wall to even the game at 1-1. It wasEllis' career-high 14th homer of the campaign.


With the loss, Oakland (51-58) fell a season-high 13 gamesbehind first-place Anaheim (63-44) in the American League WestDivision. It is the Athletics' largest deficit since theyfinished the 1998 season 14 games behind the Seattle Mariners.

 

Guerrero homers twice as Angels top Athletics

<h3>LA ANGELS 6, OAKLAND 4</h3>By Tom Kent
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Vladimir Guerrero ended hisdrought with a bang.


Guerrero belted two home runs and drove in four runs as the LosAngeles Angels of Anaheim posted a 6-4 triumph over the OaklandAthletics on Thursday.


Guerrero entered with a career-worst home run drought of 125at-bats that spanned 30 games, dating back to June 23 againstthe Pittsburgh Pirates. After hitting seven shots in April, hehad managed just seven prior to Thursday.


"I don't think Vlad was overly concerned," Angels manager MikeScioscia said. "I know we certainly weren't. But for whatwe're going to need this second half, for whatever games areremaining, obviously Vlad driving the ball is important. Itcame at a good time tonight."


The dubious streak came to an end in the fourth inning, asGuerrero swatted a solo shot to left field off Oakland starterChad Gaudin for a 1-0 edge. It was just his third homer in 50games.


"It was a nice feeling," Guerrero said through an interpreter."Basically, it's a new month and I'm going to leave behindwhatever is behind. I've had to answer a lot of questions abouthome runs, but they came tonight. They came with a win, soit's even better."


With one out in the fifth and the contest tied at 1-1, ReggieWillits and Chone Figgins singled. Following a forceout byOrlando Cabrera, the stage was set for Guerrero's firstmulti-homer effort of the season.


The slugger deposited a 1-0 offering from Gaudin deep into theleft-center field seats for his 16th blast of the campaign,giving the Angels a 4-1 advantage.


"I stayed with the same approach," Guerrero said. "Nothing new,no adjustments. The difference is that I was able to get morelift, more carry. I didn't go with the mentality that I neededto change anything overall. If I start looking for home runs,it's going to be tougher to hit home runs."


"The guy has done it time and time again," Gaudin said. "It wasa good pitch, the right pitch. It was just a freak."

Gaudin entered having allowed only eight home runs in 131innings this season, the third-lowest mark in the AmericanLeague. Of the 10 homers he has now surrendered, three havebeen hit by Guerrero.


Garret Anderson added an RBI double in the seventh and Willitsplated a run with a groundout an inning later to give the Angelsa 6-2 bulge.


Donnie Murphy made things interesting with a two-out, two-runhomer off Darren Oliver in the bottom of the ninth, butFrancisco Rodriguez came on to strike out rookie Travis Buck andnotch his 26th save in 29 opportunities.


Guerrero's power surge helped Joe Saunders (5-0) remain unbeatenthis season. Recalled from Class AAA Salt Lake on July 22 forhis fourth stint with Anaheim this year, the lefthander yieldedtwo runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings, walking two and strikingout three.


"I just went out and told myself to get deep into the ballgame,"Saunders said. "I didn't get that deep, but I gave us aquality start and a chance to win the game."


"I think Joe's picking up where he left off last year," Sciosciasaid. "You talk about getting to the big leagues and makingthose footprints. He's making a statement that he's got theopportunity and he's bringing his game into the major leagues."

Gaudin (8-7), who was a hard-luck loser after tossing his firstcareer complete game in Saturday's 4-3 loss to Seattle, allowedfive runs, seven hits and three walks in six innings. The24-year-old righthander, who has lost four straight decisions,struck out a pair.


"I thought I gave us a chance to win," Gaudin said. "A coupleof (bad) pitches, that was it."


In the fourth, Mark Ellis belted a 2-0 pitch from Saunders overthe left-center field wall to even the game at 1-1. It wasEllis' career-high 14th homer of the campaign.


With the loss, Oakland (51-58) fell a season-high 13 gamesbehind first-place Anaheim (63-44) in the American League WestDivision. It is the Athletics' largest deficit since theyfinished the 1998 season 14 games behind the Seattle Mariners.