GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: MINNESOTA (58-56) at LA ANGELS (66-47)

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: R Budde hit for G Matthews Jr.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 1
LA ANGELS 10 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR LA ANGELS: R Budde (.000, 0 HR, 0 RBI)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MINNESOTA 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 5 0
LA ANGELS 0 0 2 0 0 4 4 0 10 12 1 (TOP 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: MIN - RAMON ORTIZ
LAA - DARREN OLIVER

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: R WHITE (.158, 1-FOR-3, RBI)
N PUNTO (.209, 0-FOR-2, BB)
A CASILLA (.253, 1-FOR-3, BB)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA (1) VS LA ANGELS (10) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Casilla 2b 3 0 1 0 1 1 3 .253
J Bartlett ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .260
J Mauer c 2 0 0 0 2 0 1 .295
M Cuddyer rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .281
J Morneau 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .284
T Hunter cf 4 1 1 0 0 1 0 .293
J Kubel dh 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 .249
a-T Watkins ph-dh 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
R White lf 3 0 1 1 0 1 1 .158
N Punto 3b 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .209

Totals 29 1 5 1 5 5 9

a-grounded to second for J Kubel in the 8th.

BATTING: RBI - R White (3). 2-out RBI - R White. Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - M Cuddyer 2, J Mauer 1, A Casilla 2. Team LOB - 9.

BASERUNNING: Picked Off - A Casilla (1st base, J Mathis).

FIELDING: DP: 2 (J Bartlett-A Casilla-J Morneau, J Morneau-J Bartlett-J
Morneau).


LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Figgins 3b 4 1 2 1 0 2 3 .342
N Haynes rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .241
O Cabrera ss 4 0 1 1 0 1 4 .303
a-E Aybar ph-ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .253
V Guerrero rf 3 1 0 0 1 0 1 .327
M Brown 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
G Anderson lf 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .284
R Quinlan lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .254
G Matthews Jr dh 3 2 2 0 1 1 0 .277
b-R Budde ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000
C Kotchman 1b 3 2 2 1 1 0 1 .307
M Izturis 2b 2 2 1 4 2 0 1 .268
J Mathis c 3 0 1 1 1 1 2 .210
R Willits cf 2 1 2 1 2 0 0 .309

Totals 32 10 12 9 8 7 15

a-flied out to right for O Cabrera in the 7th; b-struck out swinging for G
Matthews Jr in the 8th.

BATTING: HR - M Izturis (4, 6th inning off S Baker 3 on, 1 Out). SF - C
Figgins. RBI - O Cabrera (66), M Izturis 4 (31), C Kotchman (53), J Mathis (6),
R Willits (31), C Figgins (42). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - O
Cabrera 2, J Mathis 1, E Aybar 1. GIDP - V Guerrero, M Izturis. Team LOB - 7.


BASERUNNING: CS - R Willits (7, 3rd base by S Baker/J Mauer).

FIELDING: E - V Guerrero (7, fly ball).


----------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA - 000 001 00 -- 1
LA ANGELS - 002 004 40 -- 10
----------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
S Baker 5 1/3 9 6 6 3 4 1 4.76
J Rincon 2/3 0 1 1 3 1 0 6.35
C Cali 1/3 1 3 3 2 1 0 8.22
R Ortiz 1 2/3 2 0 0 0 1 0 5.08

LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era
K Escobar 6 5 1 1 5 4 0 2.74
J Speier 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.08
D Oliver 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.39

J Rincon pitched to 1 batter in the 7th.

WP - K Escobar, C Cali. IBB - J Mauer (by K Escobar), M Izturis (by C Cali).
Pitches-strikes: S Baker 83-58; J Rincon 21-9; C Cali 17-6; R Ortiz 20-14; K
Escobar 104-63; J Speier 10-7; D Oliver 13-9. Ground balls-fly balls: S Baker
6-5; J Rincon 1-0; C Cali 0-0; R Ortiz 0-4; K Escobar 8-5; J Speier 2-1; D
Oliver 1-1. Batters faced: S Baker 25; J Rincon 5; C Cali 4; R Ortiz 7; K
Escobar 28; J Speier 3; D Oliver 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Bruce Dreckman. 1B--Gary Darling. 2B--Larry Poncino. 3B--Jerry
Meals.

Weather: 76 degrees, clear. Wind: 7 mph, out to right.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - PITCHING CHANGE
LAA: GREG JONES (0-0, 8.44) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 1, LA ANGELS 10

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: R WHITE (.158, 1-FOR-3, RBI)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: G Jones relieved D Oliver.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 1
LA ANGELS 10 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: R White (.158, 1-FOR-3, RBI)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MINNESOTA 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 5 0
LA ANGELS 0 0 2 0 0 4 4 0 x 10 12 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: MIN - SCOTT BAKER, JUAN RINCON (6TH), CARMEN CALI (7TH), RAMON ORTIZ
(7TH) AND JOE MAUER

LAA - KELVIM ESCOBAR, JUSTIN SPEIER (7TH), DARREN
OLIVER (8TH), GREG JONES (9TH) AND JEFF MATHIS

HOME RUNS: MIN - NONE

LAA - MAICER IZTURIS (4) OFF SCOTT BAKER IN THE 6TH, 3 ON</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MINNESOTA 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 5 0
LA ANGELS 0 0 2 0 0 4 4 0 x 10 12 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: MIN - SCOTT BAKER, JUAN RINCON (6TH), CARMEN CALI (7TH), RAMON ORTIZ
(7TH) AND JOE MAUER

LAA - KELVIM ESCOBAR, JUSTIN SPEIER (7TH), DARREN
OLIVER (8TH), GREG JONES (9TH) AND JEFF MATHIS


WP - KELVIM ESCOBAR (12-6)
LP - SCOTT BAKER (6-5)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: MIN - NONE

LAA - MAICER IZTURIS (4) OFF SCOTT BAKER IN THE 6TH, 3 ON


TIME: 2:52 ATT: 43,810

PROBABLES: MIN - CARLOS SILVA (9-12, 4.51)
LAA - JOHN LACKEY (14-6, 3.11)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA (1) VS LA ANGELS (10) - FINAL

MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Casilla 2b 4 0 1 0 1 1 3 .250
J Bartlett ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .260
J Mauer c 2 0 0 0 2 0 1 .295
M Cuddyer rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 4 .281
J Morneau 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .284
T Hunter cf 4 1 1 0 0 1 0 .293
J Kubel dh 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 .249
a-T Watkins ph-dh 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
R White lf 4 0 1 1 0 1 1 .154
N Punto 3b 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 .208

Totals 32 1 5 1 5 5 9

a-grounded to second for J Kubel in the 8th.

BATTING: RBI - R White (3). 2-out RBI - R White. Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - M Cuddyer 2, J Mauer 1, A Casilla 2. Team LOB - 9.

BASERUNNING: Picked Off - A Casilla (1st base, J Mathis).

FIELDING: DP: 2 (J Bartlett-A Casilla-J Morneau, J Morneau-J Bartlett-J
Morneau).


LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Figgins 3b 4 1 2 1 0 2 3 .342
N Haynes rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .241
O Cabrera ss 4 0 1 1 0 1 4 .303
a-E Aybar ph-ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .253
V Guerrero rf 3 1 0 0 1 0 1 .327
M Brown 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
G Anderson lf 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .284
R Quinlan lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .254
G Matthews Jr dh 3 2 2 0 1 1 0 .277
b-R Budde ph-dh 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000
C Kotchman 1b 3 2 2 1 1 0 1 .307
M Izturis 2b 2 2 1 4 2 0 1 .268
J Mathis c 3 0 1 1 1 1 2 .210
R Willits cf 2 1 2 1 2 0 0 .309

Totals 32 10 12 9 8 7 15

a-flied out to right for O Cabrera in the 7th; b-struck out swinging for G
Matthews Jr in the 8th.

BATTING: HR - M Izturis (4, 6th inning off S Baker 3 on, 1 Out). SF - C
Figgins. RBI - O Cabrera (66), M Izturis 4 (31), C Kotchman (53), J Mathis (6),
R Willits (31), C Figgins (42). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - O
Cabrera 2, J Mathis 1, E Aybar 1. GIDP - V Guerrero, M Izturis. Team LOB - 7.


BASERUNNING: CS - R Willits (7, 3rd base by S Baker/J Mauer).

FIELDING: E - V Guerrero (7, fly ball).


----------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA - 000 001 000 -- 1
LA ANGELS - 002 004 40x -- 10
----------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
S Baker (L, 6-5) 5 1/3 9 6 6 3 4 1 4.76
J Rincon 2/3 0 1 1 3 1 0 6.35
C Cali 1/3 1 3 3 2 1 0 8.22
R Ortiz 1 2/3 2 0 0 0 1 0 5.08

LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era
K Escobar (W, 12-6) 6 5 1 1 5 4 0 2.74
J Speier 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.08
D Oliver 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.39
G Jones 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 7.11

J Rincon pitched to 1 batter in the 7th.

WP - K Escobar, C Cali. IBB - J Mauer (by K Escobar), M Izturis (by C Cali).
Pitches-strikes: S Baker 83-58; J Rincon 21-9; C Cali 17-6; R Ortiz 20-14; K
Escobar 104-63; J Speier 10-7; D Oliver 13-9; G Jones 7-6. Ground balls-fly
balls: S Baker 6-5; J Rincon 1-0; C Cali 0-0; R Ortiz 0-4; K Escobar 8-5; J
Speier 2-1; D Oliver 1-1; G Jones 2-1. Batters faced: S Baker 25; J Rincon 5; C
Cali 4; R Ortiz 7; K Escobar 28; J Speier 3; D Oliver 3; G Jones 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Bruce Dreckman. 1B--Gary Darling. 2B--Larry Poncino. 3B--Jerry
Meals.

T--2:52. Att--43,810.
Weather: 76 degrees, clear. Wind: 7 mph, out to
right.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
MINNESOTA 1
LA ANGELS 10 FINAL</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (1) AT LA ANGELS (10) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LA ANGELS 3RD: R Willits walked. C Figgins singled to right center,
R Willits to second. O Cabrera singled to left, R Willits scored, C Figgins to
third. V Guerrero grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first,
C Figgins scored, O Cabrera out at second. G Anderson flied out to right.
(2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, LA ANGELS 2.

MINNESOTA 6TH: M Cuddyer struck out swinging. J Morneau grounded out to
first. T Hunter reached on infield single to third. J Kubel walked, T Hunter
to second. R White singled to left, T Hunter scored, J Kubel to second.
N Punto walked, J Kubel to third, R White to second. A Casilla struck out
looking. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, LA ANGELS 2.

LA ANGELS 6TH: V Guerrero popped out to second. G Anderson singled to
center. G Matthews Jr singled to center, G Anderson to second. C Kotchman
walked, G Anderson to third, G Matthews Jr to second. M Izturis homered to
right, G Anderson, G Matthews Jr and C Kotchman scored. J Rincon relieved
S Baker. J Mathis walked. R Willits walked, J Mathis to second. C Figgins
struck out swinging. O Cabrera grounded out to second. (4 Runs, 3 Hits,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, LA ANGELS 6.

LA ANGELS 7TH: V Guerrero walked. C Cali relieved J Rincon. G Anderson
struck out swinging. G Matthews Jr walked, V Guerrero to second. C Kotchman
singled to left, V Guerrero scored, G Matthews Jr to second. G Matthews Jr to
third, C Kotchman to second on wild pitch by C Cali. M Izturis intentionally
walked. R Ortiz relieved C Cali. J Mathis singled to left, G Matthews Jr
scored, C Kotchman to third, M Izturis to second. R Willits singled to right,
C Kotchman scored, M Izturis to third, J Mathis to second. C Figgins hit
sacrifice fly to right, M Izturis scored, J Mathis to third. E Aybar hit for
O Cabrera. E Aybar flied out to right. (4 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1,
LA ANGELS 10.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (1) AT LA ANGELS (10) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Minnesota Starting Lineups -- A Casilla 2B, J Bartlett SS, J Mauer C, M Cuddyer RF,
J Morneau 1B, T Hunter CF, J Kubel DH, R White LF, N Punto 3B, S Baker RHP.

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

Umpires -- Bruce Dreckman (HP), Gary Darling (1B), Larry Poncino (2B),
Jerry Meals (3B).

Gametime Weather: 76 degrees, Clear, wind out to right at 7 mph.


MINNESOTA 1ST: A Casilla grounded out to pitcher. J Bartlett flied out to
right. J Mauer walked. M Cuddyer grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, LA ANGELS 0.

LA ANGELS 1ST: C Figgins struck out swinging. O Cabrera popped out to
shortstop. V Guerrero flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, LA ANGELS 0.

MINNESOTA 2ND: J Morneau struck out looking. T Hunter flied out to right.
J Kubel grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
LA ANGELS 0.

LA ANGELS 2ND: G Anderson grounded out to shortstop. G Matthews Jr singled
to right. C Kotchman fouled out to catcher. M Izturis walked, G Matthews Jr
to second. J Mathis struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
LA ANGELS 0.

MINNESOTA 3RD: R White grounded out to shortstop. N Punto popped out to
third. A Casilla walked. J Bartlett singled to left, A Casilla to second.
A Casilla to third, J Bartlett to second on wild pitch by K Escobar. J Mauer
intentionally walked. M Cuddyer flied out to center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, LA ANGELS 0.

LA ANGELS 3RD: R Willits walked. C Figgins singled to right center,
R Willits to second. O Cabrera singled to left, R Willits scored, C Figgins to
third. V Guerrero grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first,
C Figgins scored, O Cabrera out at second. G Anderson flied out to right.
(2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, LA ANGELS 2.

MINNESOTA 4TH: J Morneau grounded out to first. T Hunter flied out to
right. J Kubel singled to right. R White struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, LA ANGELS 2.

LA ANGELS 4TH: G Matthews Jr struck out swinging. C Kotchman singled to
center. M Izturis grounded into double play, first to shortstop to first,
C Kotchman out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, LA ANGELS 2.

MINNESOTA 5TH: N Punto grounded out to second. A Casilla reached on
infield single to shortstop. A Casilla picked off first. J Bartlett safe at
second on error by right fielder V Guerrero. J Mauer grounded out to first.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 0, LA ANGELS 2.

LA ANGELS 5TH: J Mathis grounded out to shortstop. R Willits singled to
left. C Figgins singled to center, R Willits to second. R Willits caught
stealing third, catcher to third, C Figgins to second on runner's fielder's
choice. O Cabrera struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
LA ANGELS 2.

MINNESOTA 6TH: M Cuddyer struck out swinging. J Morneau grounded out to
first. T Hunter reached on infield single to third. J Kubel walked, T Hunter
to second. R White singled to left, T Hunter scored, J Kubel to second.
N Punto walked, J Kubel to third, R White to second. A Casilla struck out
looking. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, LA ANGELS 2.

LA ANGELS 6TH: V Guerrero popped out to second. G Anderson singled to
center. G Matthews Jr singled to center, G Anderson to second. C Kotchman
walked, G Anderson to third, G Matthews Jr to second. M Izturis homered to
right, G Anderson, G Matthews Jr and C Kotchman scored. J Rincon relieved
S Baker. J Mathis walked. R Willits walked, J Mathis to second. C Figgins
struck out swinging. O Cabrera grounded out to second. (4 Runs, 3 Hits,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, LA ANGELS 6.

MINNESOTA 7TH: J Speier relieved K Escobar. J Bartlett grounded out to
second. J Mauer grounded out to first. M Cuddyer popped out to second.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, LA ANGELS 6.

LA ANGELS 7TH: V Guerrero walked. C Cali relieved J Rincon. G Anderson
struck out swinging. G Matthews Jr walked, V Guerrero to second. C Kotchman
singled to left, V Guerrero scored, G Matthews Jr to second. G Matthews Jr to
third, C Kotchman to second on wild pitch by C Cali. M Izturis intentionally
walked. R Ortiz relieved C Cali. J Mathis singled to left, G Matthews Jr
scored, C Kotchman to third, M Izturis to second. R Willits singled to right,
C Kotchman scored, M Izturis to third, J Mathis to second. C Figgins hit
sacrifice fly to right, M Izturis scored, J Mathis to third. E Aybar hit for
O Cabrera. E Aybar flied out to right. (4 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1,
LA ANGELS 10.

MINNESOTA 8TH: N Haynes in right field. E Aybar at shortstop. M Brown at
third base. R Quinlan in left field. D Oliver relieved J Speier. J Morneau
flied out to right. T Hunter struck out looking. T Watkins hit for J Kubel.
T Watkins grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1,
LA ANGELS 10.

LA ANGELS 8TH: M Brown flied out to right. R Quinlan flied out to left.
R Budde hit for G Matthews Jr. R Budde struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, LA ANGELS 10.

MINNESOTA 9TH: G Jones relieved D Oliver. R White grounded out to
shortstop. N Punto popped out to second. A Casilla grounded out to second.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, LA ANGELS 10.</div>

 

Escobar sharp as Angels down Twins

<h3>LA ANGELS 10, MINNESOTA 1</h3>ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Kelvim Escobar snapped apersonal three-game slide and Maicer Izturis smashed his firstcareer grand slam as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim cruisedto a 10-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday.

Chone Figgins turned in his sixth multi-hit game already inAugust for the Angels, who won for the fourth time in their lastfive games. Their 10 runs on Friday gave them an average of8.7 runs per game over their last seven at Angel Stadium.

Escobar (12-6), who had suffered the loss in his last threestarts despite allowing just six earned runs in 22 combinedinnings, worked around five walks to hold the Twins to just onerun in six innings.


The Venezuelan righthander allowed five hits and struck out fourto lower his ERA to 2.74 - second in the American League behindOakland's Dan Haren.


Izturis' blast came in the sixth inning with Anaheim clinging toa two-run lead. The veteran utilityman drove Minnesota starterScott Baker's 0-1 offering over the wall in right to put thegame away, 6-1.


The normally light-hitting Izturis has homered three times inthe last 10 games to push his season total to a robust four.

Baker (6-5) was pulled after Izturis' blast and saddled with theloss. The 25-year-old righthander allowed six runs and ninehits while walking three and striking out four.


Baker entered Friday's contest on a roll, having won his pasttwo starts while allowing just one run in 16 combined innings.But the Angels jumped on top early, pushing across a pair ofruns in the third to take a 2-0 lead.


The Twins cut the deficit in half in the sixth when RondellWhite singled home a run.


But Baker unraveled in the bottom of the frame, loading thebases on two singles and a walk before Izturis' homer.

Anaheim continued the onslaught in the following frame, platingfour more runs on three singles and a sacrifice fly to put thegame well out of reach.


Minnesota has now dropped four of its last five games to fallsix games behind Seattle (63-50) in the wild card race.

 

Escobar sharp as Angels down Twins

<h3>LA ANGELS 10, MINNESOTA 1</h3>ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Kelvim Escobar snapped apersonal three-game slide and Maicer Izturis smashed his firstcareer grand slam as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim cruisedto a 10-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday.

Chone Figgins turned in his sixth multi-hit game already inAugust for the Angels, who won for the fourth time in their lastfive games. Their 10 runs on Friday gave them an average of8.7 runs per game over their last seven at Angel Stadium.

"This is the greatest ballpark to play in with the greatestfans," Anaheim outfielder Reggie Willits said. "We put up anoverall great performance with our pitching and hitting."

Escobar (12-6), who had suffered the loss in his last threestarts despite allowing just six earned runs in 22 combinedinnings, worked around five walks to hold the Twins to just onerun in six innings.


"I took the game pitch-by-pitch, got ahead in the count andtried to be very agressive," Escobar said.


The Venezuelan righthander allowed five hits and struck out fourto lower his ERA to 2.74 - second in the American League behindOakland's Dan Haren.


Izturis' blast came in the sixth inning with Anaheim clinging toa two-run lead. The veteran utilityman drove Minnesota starterScott Baker's 0-1 offering over the wall in right to put thegame away, 6-1.


"(Izturis) always hits the ball hard and square on the barrel,that pitch he got under it a bit and the ball carried over thefence," Angels first baseman Casey Kotchman said. "By sayinghe's been coming up big is an understatement, everything he'sdoing is not surprising to us."


The normally light-hitting Izturis has homered three times inthe last 10 games to push his season total to a robust four.

Baker (6-5) was pulled after Izturis' blast and saddled with theloss. The 25-year-old righthander allowed six runs and ninehits while walking three and striking out four.


"It wasn't a very good night, in the sixth inning Baker gave upa couple of bloops, walked a guy and made a mistake to Izturis,"Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We had a few mind blanksand it turns into us getting killed, just wasn't our night."

Baker entered Friday's contest on a roll, having won his pasttwo starts while allowing just one run in 16 combined innings.But the Angels jumped on top early, pushing across a pair ofruns in the third to take a 2-0 lead.


"(Baker) has good command, anytime a pitcher can control bothsides of the plate it makes it tough for the hitters." Kotchmansaid.


The Twins cut the deficit in half in the sixth when RondellWhite singled home a run.


"(White) has been hitting the ball well, he roped the single inthe sixth and even his outs were hit hard." Gardenhire said.

But Baker unraveled in the bottom of the frame, loading thebases on two singles and a walk before Izturis' homer.

Anaheim continued the onslaught in the following frame, platingfour more runs on three singles and a sacrifice fly to put thegame well out of reach.


"You can't ask for a better group of guys to come to theballpark everyday and play hard," Willits said.


Minnesota has now dropped four of its last five games to fallsix games behind Seattle (63-50) in the wild card race.