GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: LA ANGELS (69-49) at TORONTO (61-58)

AL: LA ANGELS at TORONTO

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

BATTERIES: LAA - KELVIM ESCOBAR, SCOT SHIELDS (8TH), FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ (9TH)
AND JEFF MATHIS

TOR - DUSTIN MCGOWAN, BRIAN WOLFE (7TH), SCOTT DOWNS
(9TH) AND GREGG ZAUN


WP - KELVIM ESCOBAR (13-6)
LP - DUSTIN MCGOWAN (8-7)
SAVE - FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ (30)

HOME RUNS: LAA - GARY MATTHEWS JR (15) OFF DUSTIN MCGOWAN IN THE 2ND, 0 ON

TOR - NONE


TIME: 2:38 ATT: 27,861

PROBABLES: BAL - GARRETT OLSON (1-1, 4.60)
TOR - A.J. BURNETT (6-6, 4.09)

PROBABLES: LAA - ERVIN SANTANA (5-11, 6.22) & LAA - JOHN LACKEY (15-6, 3.07)
BOS - CLAY BUCHHOLZ (NR) & BOS - JOSH BECKETT (15-5, 3.24)</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at TORONTO

<div class="pre">LA ANGELS (4) VS TORONTO (3) - FINAL

LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Figgins 3b 4 0 1 1 0 2 0 .341
O Cabrera ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .307
V Guerrero rf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .319
G Anderson dh 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 .271
G Matthews Jr cf 2 2 1 1 2 0 0 .272
C Kotchman 1b 4 1 0 0 0 1 1 .298
M Izturis 2b 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .264
J Mathis c 2 1 0 0 1 1 1 .197
R Willits lf 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .302

Totals 30 4 4 3 3 8 6

BATTING: 2B - C Figgins (19, D McGowan); M Izturis (14, D McGowan). HR - G
Matthews Jr (15, 2nd inning off D McGowan 0 on, 1 Out). RBI - G Matthews Jr
(66), C Figgins (45), M Izturis (34). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out -
M Izturis 1, V Guerrero 1. GIDP - V Guerrero. Team LOB - 2.

BASERUNNING: SB - G Matthews Jr (13, 2nd base off D McGowan/G Zaun).

FIELDING: Outfield assists - G Matthews Jr (R Johnson at 3rd base).


TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Johnson lf 4 0 2 1 0 1 1 .265
J McDonald ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .258
L Overbay 1b 4 0 2 0 0 1 2 .258
A Rios rf 4 0 0 0 0 2 3 .311
V Wells cf 4 1 1 0 0 1 3 .260
F Thomas dh 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 .262
H Luna pr 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000
T Glaus 3b 3 0 0 0 1 2 0 .255
A Hill 2b 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .267
G Zaun c 3 0 1 1 1 1 0 .248
R Olmedo ss 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 .333
a-M Stairs ph-lf 2 0 0 0 0 1 3 .289

Totals 34 3 8 3 2 12 14

a-struck out looking for R Olmedo in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - R Olmedo (2, K Escobar). 3B - V Wells (3, F Rodriguez). RBI - R
Johnson (11), F Thomas (70), G Zaun (32). 2-out RBI - G Zaun. Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - M Stairs 1, V Wells 1. Team LOB - 6.

FIELDING: E - L Overbay (4, ground ball); A Rios (6, throw). DP: 2 (R
Olmedo-A Hill-L Overbay, G Zaun-R Olmedo).


----------------------------------------------------
LA ANGELS - 011 000 200 -- 4
TORONTO - 000 001 002 -- 3
----------------------------------------------------

LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era
K Escobar (W, 13-6) 7 5 1 1 0 9 0 2.68
S Shields (H, 27) 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 2.80
F Rodriguez (S, 30) 1 3 2 2 1 1 0 2.88

TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era
D McGowan (L, 8-7) 6 4 4 3 3 7 1 4.14
B Wolfe 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.82
S Downs 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.38

D McGowan pitched to 3 batters in the 7th.

WP - D McGowan. Pitches-strikes: K Escobar 103-69; S Shields 16-10; F
Rodriguez 24-14; D McGowan 97-56; B Wolfe 26-18; S Downs 9-7. Ground balls-fly
balls: K Escobar 4-7; S Shields 1-0; F Rodriguez 0-2; D McGowan 8-3; B Wolfe
1-3; S Downs 1-2. Batters faced: K Escobar 25; S Shields 4; F Rodriguez 7; D
McGowan 25; B Wolfe 5; S Downs 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Eric Cooper. 1B--Andy Fletcher. 2B--Mike Reilly. 3B--Jeff
Kellogg.

T--2:38. Att--27,861.
Weather: 81 degrees, clear. Wind: 23 mph, in from
left.</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at TORONTO

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
LA ANGELS 4
TORONTO 3 FINAL</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at TORONTO

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LA ANGELS (4) AT TORONTO (3) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LA ANGELS 2ND: G Anderson struck out swinging. G Matthews Jr homered to
center. C Kotchman struck out swinging. M Izturis grounded out to second.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, TORONTO 0.

LA ANGELS 3RD: J Mathis walked. R Willits grounded out to shortstop,
J Mathis to second. C Figgins doubled to left, J Mathis scored. O Cabrera
grounded out to pitcher. V Guerrero grounded out to catcher. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) LA ANGELS 2, TORONTO 0.

TORONTO 6TH: G Zaun struck out swinging. R Olmedo doubled to left.
R Johnson singled to center, R Olmedo scored. L Overbay singled to left,
R Johnson to second. A Rios struck out swinging. V Wells flied out to center.
(1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 2, TORONTO 1.

LA ANGELS 7TH: G Matthews Jr walked. M Izturis doubled to right,
C Kotchman scored. B Wolfe relieved D McGowan. J Mathis bunt popped into double
play, catcher to shortstop, M Izturis doubled off second. R Willits struck out
swinging. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 2 Errors) LA ANGELS 4, TORONTO 1.

TORONTO 9TH: F Rodriguez relieved S Shields. A Rios struck out swinging.
V Wells tripled to deep right center. F Thomas singled to left, V Wells scored.
H Luna ran for F Thomas. T Glaus walked, H Luna to second. A Hill lined out to
third. G Zaun singled to right, H Luna scored, T Glaus to third. M Stairs
flied out to center. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 4, TORONTO 3.</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at TORONTO

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LA ANGELS (4) AT TORONTO (3) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Toronto Starting Lineups -- R Johnson LF, L Overbay 1B, A Rios RF, V Wells CF,
F Thomas DH, T Glaus 3B, A Hill 2B, G Zaun C, R Olmedo SS, D McGowan RHP.

Umpires -- Eric Cooper (HP), Andy Fletcher (1B), Mike Reilly (2B), Jeff Kellogg (3B).

Gametime Weather: 81 degrees, Clear, wind in from left at 23 mph.


LA ANGELS 1ST: C Figgins struck out looking. O Cabrera reached on infield
single to third. V Guerrero grounded into double play, shortstop to second to
first, O Cabrera out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 0, TORONTO 0.

TORONTO 1ST: R Johnson singled to center. L Overbay singled to center,
R Johnson thrown out at third. A Rios flied out to left. V Wells flied out to
left. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 0, TORONTO 0.

LA ANGELS 2ND: G Anderson struck out swinging. G Matthews Jr homered to
center. C Kotchman struck out swinging. M Izturis grounded out to second.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, TORONTO 0.

TORONTO 2ND: F Thomas grounded out to third. T Glaus struck out swinging.
A Hill struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 1, TORONTO 0.

LA ANGELS 3RD: J Mathis walked. R Willits grounded out to shortstop,
J Mathis to second. C Figgins doubled to left, J Mathis scored. O Cabrera
grounded out to pitcher. V Guerrero grounded out to catcher. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) LA ANGELS 2, TORONTO 0.

TORONTO 3RD: G Zaun grounded out to first. R Olmedo struck out swinging.
R Johnson struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 2, TORONTO 0.

LA ANGELS 4TH: G Anderson popped out to shortstop. G Matthews Jr walked.
G Matthews Jr stole second. C Kotchman lined out to right. G Matthews Jr to
third on wild pitch by D McGowan. M Izturis grounded out to second. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 2, TORONTO 0.

TORONTO 4TH: L Overbay flied out to center. A Rios grounded out to third.
V Wells struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 2, TORONTO 0.

LA ANGELS 5TH: J Mathis struck out looking. R Willits lined out to left.
C Figgins struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 2, TORONTO 0.

TORONTO 5TH: F Thomas flied out to right. T Glaus grounded out to third.
A Hill struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 2, TORONTO 0.

LA ANGELS 6TH: O Cabrera grounded out to pitcher. V Guerrero struck out
swinging. G Anderson struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA ANGELS 2, TORONTO 0.

TORONTO 6TH: G Zaun struck out swinging. R Olmedo doubled to left.
R Johnson singled to center, R Olmedo scored. L Overbay singled to left,
R Johnson to second. A Rios struck out swinging. V Wells flied out to center.
(1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 2, TORONTO 1.

LA ANGELS 7TH: G Matthews Jr walked. M Izturis doubled to right,
C Kotchman scored. B Wolfe relieved D McGowan. J Mathis bunt popped into double
play, catcher to shortstop, M Izturis doubled off second. R Willits struck out
swinging. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 2 Errors) LA ANGELS 4, TORONTO 1.

TORONTO 7TH: F Thomas flied out to center. T Glaus struck out swinging.
A Hill flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 4, TORONTO 1.

LA ANGELS 8TH: C Figgins flied out to left. O Cabrera flied out to left.
V Guerrero grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 4,
TORONTO 1.

TORONTO 8TH: S Shields relieved K Escobar. G Zaun walked. M Stairs hit for
R Olmedo. M Stairs struck out looking. R Johnson grounded into fielder's
choice to pitcher, G Zaun out at second. L Overbay struck out looking.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 4, TORONTO 1.

LA ANGELS 9TH: S Downs relieved B Wolfe. J McDonald at shortstop. M Stairs
in left field. G Anderson flied out to left. G Matthews Jr grounded out to
shortstop. C Kotchman flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA ANGELS 4, TORONTO 1.

TORONTO 9TH: F Rodriguez relieved S Shields. A Rios struck out swinging.
V Wells tripled to deep right center. F Thomas singled to left, V Wells scored.
H Luna ran for F Thomas. T Glaus walked, H Luna to second. A Hill lined out to
third. G Zaun singled to right, H Luna scored, T Glaus to third. M Stairs
flied out to center. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 4, TORONTO 3.</div>

 

Escobar dazzles as Angels top Blue Jays

<h3>LA ANGELS 4, TORONTO 3</h3>TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Toronto Blue Jays dominated the firsttwo games of this series with stellar pitching. But on Thursdaynight, Kelvim Escobar was the one impressing on the mound forthe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.


Escobar tossed seven outstanding innings and Gary Matthews Jr.homered as the Angels posted a 4-3 victory over the Blue Jays tosalvage the finale of a three-game set at Rogers Centre.

Toronto (61-59), which has quietly crept close in the AmericanLeague wild card race, fell six games behind the New YorkYankees (67-53) and Seattle Mariners (66-52). The Yankeesplayed the Detroit Tigers (66-54) Thursday night.


The Blue Jays have picked up the pace thanks to some impressivepitching, including a four-hitter by ace Roy Halladay on Tuesdayand a solid seven-inning effort by the emerging Shaun Marcum onWednesday.


But the Angels turned the tables one night later thanks toEscobar (13-6), who allowed one run and five hits, whilestriking out nine without walking a batter. The hard-throwingrighthander had great control all night and gave way to acapable bullpen.


Scot Shields tossed a scoreless eighth, setting up FranciscoRodriguez for his 30th save in the ninth. It was not easy forthe hard-throwing closer, who allowed two runs and stranded thego-ahead runs on base.


Matthews got the Angels on the board in the second with amammoth solo homer off Toronto starter Dustin McGowan (8-7) tomake it 1-0. The shot hit above the windows of the stadium'srestaurant in center field - rare territory for a blast.

One inning later, Anaheim added another run thanks to catcherJeff Mathis, who was issued a leadoff walk. After ReggieWillits grounded out to short, Chone Figgins ripped an RBIdouble to make it 2-0.


The Blue Jays cut the lead in half in the sixth. Ray Olmedo andReed Johnson smacked back-to-back hits to make it 2-1.

But the Angels added to their lead in the seventh againstMcGowan and reliever Brian Wolfe. Matthews was issued a leadoffwalk, and Casey Kotchman then reached on a two-base error byright fielder Alex Rios - scoring Matthews and putting Kotchmanin scoring position.


Maicer Izturis then smacked a double to plate Kotchman and makeit 4-1.


McGowan yielded four runs - three earned - and four hits whilestriking out seven and walking three in six-plus innings for theBlue Jays.

 

Escobar dazzles as Angels top Blue Jays

<h3>LA ANGELS 4, TORONTO 3</h3><div class="pre">TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Toronto Blue Jays dominated the</div>first two games of this series with stellar pitching. But onThursday night, Kelvim Escobar was the one impressing on themound for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.


Escobar tossed seven outstanding innings and Gary Matthews, Jr.homered as the Angels posted a 4-3 victory over the Blue Jays tosalvage the finale of a three-game set at Rogers Centre.

Toronto (61-59), which has quietly crept close in the AmericanLeague wild card race, fell six games behind the New YorkYankees (67-53) and Seattle Mariners (66-52). The Yankeesplayed the Detroit Tigers (66-54) Thursday night.


The Blue Jays have picked up the pace thanks to some impressivepitching, including a four-hitter by ace Roy Halladay on Tuesdayand a solid seven-inning effort by the emerging Shaun Marcum onWednesday.


"We're still right there, we're right in the thick of it,"Dustin McGowan said.


But the Angels turned the tables one night later thanks toEscobar (13-6), who allowed one run and five hits, whilestriking out nine without walking a batter. The hard-throwingrighthander had great control all night and gave way to acapable bullpen.


"I think I had great stuff tonight, I haven't felt like that ina long time. Everything was working pretty good," Escobar said.

Scot Shields tossed a scoreless eighth, setting up FranciscoRodriguez for his 30th save in the ninth. It was not easy forthe hard-throwing closer, who allowed two runs and stranded thego-ahead runs on base.


"I was a little out of rhythm, location was really bad, they hadthree hits and everything was right down the middle," Rodriguezsaid.


Matthews got the Angels on the board in the second with amammoth solo homer off Toronto starter Dustin McGowan (8-7) tomake it 1-0. The shot hit above the windows of the stadium'srestaurant in center field - rare territory for a blast.

"He (McGowan) throws hard, you put a good swing on it when it'sthrown that hard and it will go for a little bit," Matthewssaid.


One inning later, Anaheim added another run thanks to catcherJeff Mathis, who was issued a leadoff walk. After ReggieWillits grounded out to short, Chone Figgins ripped an RBIdouble to make it 2-0.


The Blue Jays cut the lead in half in the sixth. Ray Olmedo andReed Johnson smacked back-to-back hits to make it 2-1.

But the Angels added to their lead in the seventh againstMcGowan and reliever Brian Wolfe. Matthews was issued a leadoffwalk, and Casey Kotchman then reached on a two-base error byright fielder Alex Rios - scoring Matthews and putting Kotchmanin scoring position.


Maicer Izturis then smacked a double to plate Kotchman and makeit 4-1.


McGowan yielded four runs - three earned - and four hits whilestriking out seven and walking three in six-plus innings for theBlue Jays.


"He (Escobar) was lights out, you can't say that the offense canshoulder all the blame because he was pretty good tonight,"Greg Zaun said. "Tough luck for Dustin again, little to no runsupport."