AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - LA ANGELS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 1 OAKLAND 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 0 (BOT 8) CURRENT PITCHERS: LAA - KELVIM ESCOBAR OAK - HUSTON STREET DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: N SWISHER (.255, 0-FOR-3) J CUST (.260, 1-FOR-1, 2 BB) M PIAZZA (.294, 0-FOR-3)</div>
AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND <div class="pre">LA ANGELS (1) VS OAKLAND (2) - MID 8TH - IN PROGRESS LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg C Figgins 3b 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .339 O Cabrera ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .305 V Guerrero dh 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .330 G Anderson lf 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .287 G Matthews Jr cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .272 C Kotchman 1b 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 .300 M Izturis 2b 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 .268 J Mathis c 2 0 0 1 0 0 2 .205 R Willits rf 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .302 Totals 29 1 8 1 2 1 12 BATTING: 2B - C Kotchman (24, J Blanton). SF - J Mathis. RBI - J Mathis (3). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - O Cabrera 1, G Matthews Jr 2. GIDP - R Willits, O Cabrera. Team LOB - 7. FIELDING: E - K Escobar (2, catch). DP: 2 (O Cabrera-C Kotchman, C Figgins-M Izturis-C Kotchman). OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg S Stewart lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .300 N Swisher 1b 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .255 J Cust rf 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 .260 M Piazza dh 3 0 0 0 0 1 4 .294 M Ellis 2b 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 .260 M Kotsay cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .226 M Scutaro 3b 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 .243 D Murphy ss 2 1 0 0 1 0 2 .195 R Bowen c 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .200 a-T Buck ph 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .283 K Suzuki c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .217 Totals 20 2 2 1 7 2 12 a-singled to right for R Bowen in the 7th. BATTING: S - R Bowen. RBI - T Buck (31). 2-out RBI - T Buck. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - S Stewart 1, M Piazza 1. GIDP - M Scutaro, M Piazza. Team LOB - 5. FIELDING: DP: 2 (D Murphy-M Ellis-N Swisher, M Ellis-D Murphy-N Swisher). ---------------------------------------------------- LA ANGELS - 010 000 00 -- 1 OAKLAND - 000 001 1 -- 2 ---------------------------------------------------- LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era K Escobar 7 2 2 1 7 2 0 2.79 OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era J Blanton 7 8 1 1 2 0 0 3.71 H Street 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.04 IBB - V Guerrero (by J Blanton). Pitches-strikes: K Escobar 112-65; J Blanton 105-68; H Street 12-8. Ground balls-fly balls: K Escobar 11-8; J Blanton 14-7; H Street 1-1. Batters faced: K Escobar 28; J Blanton 29; H Street 3. UMPIRES: HP--Ed Hickox. 1B--C.B. Bucknor. 2B--Joe West. 3B--Ed Rapuano. Weather: 72 degrees, sunny. Wind: 14 mph, left to right.</div>
AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - PITCHING CHANGE LAA: CHRIS BOOTCHECK (3-2, 4.68) STARTING THE 8TH CURRENT SCORE: LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 2 DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: N SWISHER (.255, 0-FOR-3)</div>
AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: C Bootcheck relieved K Escobar. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: LA ANGELS 1 OAKLAND 2 BOTTOM, 8TH DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: N Swisher (.255, 0-FOR-3)</div>
AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - LA ANGELS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 1 OAKLAND 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 2 0 (TOP 9) CURRENT PITCHERS: LAA - CHRIS BOOTCHECK OAK - HUSTON STREET DUE UP FOR LA ANGELS: C KOTCHMAN (.300, 1-FOR-3) M IZTURIS (.268, 2-FOR-3) J MATHIS (.205, 0-FOR-2, SF, RBI)</div>
AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND <div class="pre">LA ANGELS (1) VS OAKLAND (2) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg C Figgins 3b 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .339 O Cabrera ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .305 V Guerrero dh 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .330 G Anderson lf 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .287 G Matthews Jr cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .272 C Kotchman 1b 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 .300 M Izturis 2b 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 .268 J Mathis c 2 0 0 1 0 0 2 .205 R Willits rf 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .302 Totals 29 1 8 1 2 1 12 BATTING: 2B - C Kotchman (24, J Blanton). SF - J Mathis. RBI - J Mathis (3). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - O Cabrera 1, G Matthews Jr 2. GIDP - R Willits, O Cabrera. Team LOB - 7. FIELDING: E - K Escobar (2, catch). DP: 2 (O Cabrera-C Kotchman, C Figgins-M Izturis-C Kotchman). OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg S Stewart lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .300 N Swisher 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .254 J Cust rf 2 0 1 0 2 1 0 .259 M Piazza dh 4 0 0 0 0 2 4 .292 M Ellis 2b 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 .260 M Kotsay cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .226 M Scutaro 3b 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 .243 D Murphy ss 2 1 0 0 1 0 2 .195 R Bowen c 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .200 a-T Buck ph 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .283 K Suzuki c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .217 Totals 23 2 2 1 7 5 12 a-singled to right for R Bowen in the 7th. BATTING: S - R Bowen. RBI - T Buck (31). 2-out RBI - T Buck. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - S Stewart 1, M Piazza 1. GIDP - M Scutaro, M Piazza. Team LOB - 5. FIELDING: DP: 2 (D Murphy-M Ellis-N Swisher, M Ellis-D Murphy-N Swisher). ---------------------------------------------------- LA ANGELS - 010 000 00 -- 1 OAKLAND - 000 001 10 -- 2 ---------------------------------------------------- LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era K Escobar 7 2 2 1 7 2 0 2.79 C Bootcheck 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 4.59 OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era J Blanton 7 8 1 1 2 0 0 3.71 H Street 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.04 IBB - V Guerrero (by J Blanton). Pitches-strikes: K Escobar 112-65; C Bootcheck 16-10; J Blanton 105-68; H Street 12-8. Ground balls-fly balls: K Escobar 11-8; C Bootcheck 0-0; J Blanton 14-7; H Street 1-1. Batters faced: K Escobar 28; C Bootcheck 3; J Blanton 29; H Street 3. UMPIRES: HP--Ed Hickox. 1B--C.B. Bucknor. 2B--Joe West. 3B--Ed Rapuano. Weather: 72 degrees, sunny. Wind: 14 mph, left to right.</div>
AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: N Swisher in right field. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: LA ANGELS 1 OAKLAND 2 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR LA ANGELS: C Kotchman (.300, 1-FOR-3)</div>
AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: D Johnson at first base. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: LA ANGELS 1 OAKLAND 2 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR LA ANGELS: C Kotchman (.300, 1-FOR-3)</div>
AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - PITCHING CHANGE OAK: ALAN EMBREE (1-1, 3.38) STARTING THE 9TH CURRENT SCORE: LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 2 DUE UP FOR LAANGELS: C KOTCHMAN (.300, 1-FOR-3)</div>
AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: A Embree relieved H Street. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: LA ANGELS 1 OAKLAND 2 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR LA ANGELS: C Kotchman (.300, 1-FOR-3)</div>
AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: R Quinlan hit for J Mathis. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 2 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: LA ANGELS 1 OAKLAND 2 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR LA ANGELS: R Quinlan (.254, 3 HR, 19 RBI)</div>
AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - LA ANGELS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 1 OAKLAND 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 x 2 2 0 (FINAL) BATTERIES: LAA - KELVIM ESCOBAR, CHRIS BOOTCHECK (8TH) AND JEFF MATHIS OAK - JOE BLANTON, HUSTON STREET (8TH), ALAN EMBREE (9TH) AND ROB BOWEN, KURT SUZUKI (8TH) HOME RUNS: LAA - NONE OAK - NONE</div>
AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - LA ANGELS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 1 OAKLAND 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 x 2 2 0 (FINAL) BATTERIES: LAA - KELVIM ESCOBAR, CHRIS BOOTCHECK (8TH) AND JEFF MATHIS OAK - JOE BLANTON, HUSTON STREET (8TH), ALAN EMBREE (9TH) AND ROB BOWEN, KURT SUZUKI (8TH) WP - JOE BLANTON (9-8) LP - KELVIM ESCOBAR (11-6) SAVE - ALAN EMBREE (13) HOME RUNS: LAA - NONE OAK - NONE TIME: 2:31 ATT: 29,144 PROBABLES: LAA - JOHN LACKEY (13-6, 3.07) OAK - DAN HAREN (13-3, 2.44)</div>
AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND <div class="pre">LA ANGELS (1) VS OAKLAND (2) - FINAL LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg C Figgins 3b 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .339 O Cabrera ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .305 V Guerrero dh 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .330 G Anderson lf 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .287 G Matthews Jr cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .272 C Kotchman 1b 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 .299 M Izturis 2b 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 .267 J Mathis c 2 0 0 1 0 0 2 .205 a-R Quinlan ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .252 R Willits rf 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .302 Totals 32 1 8 1 2 2 12 a-popped out to first for J Mathis in the 9th. BATTING: 2B - C Kotchman (24, J Blanton). SF - J Mathis. RBI - J Mathis (3). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - O Cabrera 1, G Matthews Jr 2. GIDP - R Willits, O Cabrera. Team LOB - 7. FIELDING: E - K Escobar (2, catch). DP: 2 (O Cabrera-C Kotchman, C Figgins-M Izturis-C Kotchman). OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg S Stewart lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .300 N Swisher 1b-rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .254 J Cust rf 2 0 1 0 2 1 0 .259 D Johnson 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .237 M Piazza dh 4 0 0 0 0 2 4 .292 M Ellis 2b 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 .260 M Kotsay cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .226 M Scutaro 3b 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 .243 D Murphy ss 2 1 0 0 1 0 2 .195 R Bowen c 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .200 a-T Buck ph 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .283 K Suzuki c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .217 Totals 23 2 2 1 7 5 12 a-singled to right for R Bowen in the 7th. BATTING: S - R Bowen. RBI - T Buck (31). 2-out RBI - T Buck. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - S Stewart 1, M Piazza 1. GIDP - M Scutaro, M Piazza. Team LOB - 5. FIELDING: DP: 2 (D Murphy-M Ellis-N Swisher, M Ellis-D Murphy-N Swisher). ---------------------------------------------------- LA ANGELS - 010 000 000 -- 1 OAKLAND - 000 001 10x -- 2 ---------------------------------------------------- LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era K Escobar (L, 11-6) 7 2 2 1 7 2 0 2.79 C Bootcheck 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 4.59 OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era J Blanton (W, 9-8) 7 8 1 1 2 0 0 3.71 H Street (H, 2) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.04 A Embree (S, 13) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.31 IBB - V Guerrero (by J Blanton). Pitches-strikes: K Escobar 112-65; C Bootcheck 16-10; J Blanton 105-68; H Street 12-8; A Embree 15-10. Ground balls-fly balls: K Escobar 11-8; C Bootcheck 0-0; J Blanton 14-7; H Street 1-1; A Embree 1-1. Batters faced: K Escobar 28; C Bootcheck 3; J Blanton 29; H Street 3; A Embree 3. UMPIRES: HP--Ed Hickox. 1B--C.B. Bucknor. 2B--Joe West. 3B--Ed Rapuano. T--2:31. Att--29,144. Weather: 72 degrees, sunny. Wind: 14 mph, left to right.</div>
AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LA ANGELS (1) AT OAKLAND (2) - HOW THEY SCORED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LA ANGELS 2ND: C Kotchman doubled to left. M Izturis singled to center, C Kotchman to third. J Mathis hit sacrifice fly to right, C Kotchman scored. R Willits grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, M Izturis out at second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 0. OAKLAND 6TH: D Murphy walked. R Bowen sacrificed to pitcher, D Murphy to second. S Stewart walked. N Swisher grounded into fielder's choice to first, S Stewart out at second, D Murphy to third, D Murphy scored, N Swisher to second on error by pitcher K Escobar. J Cust walked. M Piazza grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 0 Hits, 1 Error) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 1. OAKLAND 7TH: M Ellis walked. M Kotsay flied out to left. M Scutaro walked, M Ellis to second. D Murphy lined out to third. T Buck hit for R Bowen. T Buck singled to right, M Ellis scored, M Scutaro to third. S Stewart grounded out to second. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 2.</div>
AL: LA ANGELS at OAKLAND <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LA ANGELS (1) AT OAKLAND (2) - 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, K Escobar RHP. Oakland Starting Lineups -- S Stewart LF, N Swisher 1B, J Cust RF, M Piazza DH, M Ellis 2B, M Kotsay CF, M Scutaro 3B, D Murphy SS, R Bowen C, J Blanton RHP. Umpires -- Ed Hickox (HP), C.B. Bucknor (1B), Joe West (2B), Ed Rapuano (3B). Gametime Weather: 72 degrees, Sunny, wind left to right at 14 mph. LA ANGELS 1ST: C Figgins lined out to left. O Cabrera singled to right. V Guerrero singled to center, O Cabrera to third. G Anderson grounded into fielder's choice to third, O Cabrera out at home, V Guerrero to second. G Matthews Jr grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 0, OAKLAND 0. OAKLAND 1ST: S Stewart popped out to second. N Swisher popped out to first. J Cust walked. M Piazza struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 0, OAKLAND 0. LA ANGELS 2ND: C Kotchman doubled to left. M Izturis singled to center, C Kotchman to third. J Mathis hit sacrifice fly to right, C Kotchman scored. R Willits grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, M Izturis out at second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 0. OAKLAND 2ND: M Ellis walked. M Kotsay flied out to left. M Scutaro grounded into double play, shortstop to first, M Ellis out at second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 0. LA ANGELS 3RD: C Figgins reached on infield single to shortstop. O Cabrera grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, C Figgins out at second. V Guerrero intentionally walked. G Anderson singled to center, V Guerrero to second. G Matthews Jr grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 0. OAKLAND 3RD: D Murphy grounded out to shortstop. R Bowen struck out looking. S Stewart grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 0. LA ANGELS 4TH: C Kotchman grounded out to third. M Izturis reached on infield single to shortstop. J Mathis fouled out to first. R Willits bunt grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 0. OAKLAND 4TH: N Swisher grounded out to first. J Cust singled to center. M Piazza grounded into double play, third to second to first, J Cust out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 0. LA ANGELS 5TH: C Figgins grounded out to first. O Cabrera grounded out to second. V Guerrero flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 0. OAKLAND 5TH: M Ellis flied out to center. M Kotsay flied out to left. M Scutaro lined out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 0. LA ANGELS 6TH: G Anderson popped out to second. G Matthews Jr grounded out to second. C Kotchman lined out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 0. OAKLAND 6TH: D Murphy walked. R Bowen sacrificed to pitcher, D Murphy to second. S Stewart walked. N Swisher grounded into fielder's choice to first, S Stewart out at second, D Murphy to third, D Murphy scored, N Swisher to second on error by pitcher K Escobar. J Cust walked. M Piazza grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 0 Hits, 1 Error) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 1. LA ANGELS 7TH: M Izturis grounded out to first. J Mathis flied out to right. R Willits singled to center. C Figgins walked, R Willits to second. O Cabrera grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, C Figgins out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 1. OAKLAND 7TH: M Ellis walked. M Kotsay flied out to left. M Scutaro walked, M Ellis to second. D Murphy lined out to third. T Buck hit for R Bowen. T Buck singled to right, M Ellis scored, M Scutaro to third. S Stewart grounded out to second. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 2. LA ANGELS 8TH: K Suzuki catching. H Street relieved J Blanton. V Guerrero popped out to shortstop. G Anderson struck out swinging. G Matthews Jr grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 2. OAKLAND 8TH: C Bootcheck relieved K Escobar. N Swisher struck out swinging. J Cust struck out looking. M Piazza struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 2. LA ANGELS 9TH: N Swisher in right field. D Johnson at first base. A Embree relieved H Street. C Kotchman grounded out to second. M Izturis struck out swinging. R Quinlan hit for J Mathis. R Quinlan popped out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, OAKLAND 2.</div>
Buck propels Athletics past Angels <h3>OAKLAND 2, LA ANGELS 1</h3>OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Rookie Travis Buck made KelvimEscobar pay for his mistake. Buck drove in the decisive run in the seventh inning andEscobar's error in the sixth would prove costly as the OaklandAthletics defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 2-1,Saturday. In the seventh, with the score knotted at 1-1 and runners onfirst and second with two outs, Buck was called on to pinch hitfor catcher Rob Bowen. The rookie then lifted an RBI single toshort right field off Escobar, plating Mark Ellis for thewinning run. Leading 1-0 and with runners on first and second and one out inthe sixth inning, Angels first baseman Casey Kotchman fieldedNick Swisher's ground ball and fired a strike to shortstopOrlando Cabrera for the force at second. Escobar, who wascovering first base while trying to complete an inning-endingdouble play, then missed Cabrera's throw to the bag, allowingDonnie Murphy to score from second to even the score at 1-1. Escobar (11-6), who suffered the loss in his last start againstthe Seattle Mariners on Monday despite allowing two runs in acomplete-game effort, was stellar once again. The righthanderyielded just two runs and two hits in seven innings whilestriking out two and walking a career-high tying seven batters. Escobar has received just two total runs of support over hislast three starts. Oakland starter Joe Blanton (9-8), who entered with an 0-4record and 6.75 ERA over his last five starts, was stellaryielding just one run while scattering eight hits in seveninnings. The righthander walked two and did not strike out abatter. Huston Street tossed a flawless eighth, as did Alan Embree inthe ninth to notch his 13th save. The Athletics, who entered with a 14-19 record against theirAmerican League West opponents, have taken eight of 12 gamesfrom the first-place Angels this season. Anaheim's lone run came in the second inning when Casey Kotchmandoubled to left field and Maicer Izturis followed with a singleto center. Jeff Mathis then lifted an RBI sacrifice toright-center for a 1-0 edge.
Buck propels Athletics past Angels <h3>OAKLAND 2, LA ANGELS 1</h3>By Tom Kent PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer OAKLAND, California (Ticker) - Rookie Travis Buck made KelvimEscobar pay for his mistake. Buck drove in the decisive run in the seventh inning andEscobar's error in the sixth would prove costly as the OaklandAthletics defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 2-1,Saturday. In the seventh, with the score knotted at 1-1 and runners onfirst and second with two outs, Buck was called on to pinch hitfor catcher Rob Bowen. The rookie then lifted an RBI single toshort right field off Escobar, plating Mark Ellis for thewinning run. "It was a split finger," Buck said. "This was the third time Ifaced him and that was probably one of the best splitters he'sthrown. I just got lucky enough to get a good piece of the balland get it out there. "We only got two hits, but they were enough for us to get thewin." Leading 1-0 and with runners on first and second and one out inthe sixth inning, Angels first baseman Casey Kotchman fieldedNick Swisher's ground ball and fired a strike to shortstopOrlando Cabrera for the force at second. Escobar, who wascovering first base while trying to complete an inning-endingdouble play, then missed Cabrera's throw to the bag, allowingDonnie Murphy to score from second to even the score at 1-1. "I should have made that play," Escobar said. "It's toughbecause you're going with speed to first base and I though theplay was going to be close. The throw was away from me a littlebit to the inside and it hit my glove, but I should have madethat play." "There's a lot going on with that play," Angels manager MikeScioscia said. "It's a play you work on in spring trainingendlessly and guys get a feel for it. Kelvim got over there andjust missed it." Escobar (11-6), who suffered the loss in his last start againstthe Seattle Mariners on Monday despite allowing two runs in acomplete-game effort, was stellar once again. The righthanderyielded just two runs and two hits in seven innings whilestriking out two and walking a career-high tying seven batters. "He walked seven guys, but outside of that, he pitchedterrific," Scioscia said. "He gave us every opportunity to win.We just couldn't get the key hit in scoring situations. Hepitched a great game though." Escobar has received just two total runs of support over hislast three starts. Oakland starter Joe Blanton (9-8), who entered with an 0-4record and 6.75 ERA over his last five starts, was stellaryielding just one run while scattering eight hits in seveninnings. The righthander walked two and did not strike out abatter. "I just tried to minimize the damage and keep it as close aspossible," Blanton said. "That's all you can ask from a starter.To keep it close and give your team a chance to win the game." Huston Street tossed a flawless eighth, as did Alan Embree inthe ninth to notch his 13th save. The Athletics, who entered with a 14-19 record against theirAmerican League West opponents, have taken eight of 12 gamesfrom the first-place Angels this season. Anaheim's lone run came in the second inning when Casey Kotchmandoubled to left field and Maicer Izturis followed with a singleto center. Jeff Mathis then lifted an RBI sacrifice toright-center for a 1-0 edge. Oakland won for the first time with two hits or fewer for thefirst time since August 5, 1998 against New York.
