AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">TEXAS (1) VS LA ANGELS (1) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg K Lofton cf 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 .304 M Young ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .285 M Teixeira 1b 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 .302 S Sosa dh 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .241 M Byrd rf 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .370 F Catalanotto lf 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .232 G Laird c 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 .231 J Hairston Jr 2b 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 .209 R Vazquez 3b 3 0 1 1 0 1 0 .240 Totals 29 1 6 1 1 6 10 BATTING: 2B - F Catalanotto (8, K Escobar); M Teixeira (19, K Escobar); G Laird (9, K Escobar); K Lofton (14, K Escobar). S - J Hairston Jr. RBI - R Vazquez (14). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - F Catalanotto 1, S Sosa 1, J Hairston Jr 1. Team LOB - 6. FIELDING: DP: 2 (J Hairston Jr-M Young-M Teixeira, J Hairston Jr-M Teixeira). LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg R Willits lf 3 0 1 0 1 2 0 .312 C Figgins 3b 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .299 O Cabrera ss 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 .328 V Guerrero rf 4 0 2 0 0 0 2 .327 G Matthews Jr cf 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 .280 G Anderson dh 2 0 0 0 1 1 4 .281 C Kotchman 1b 3 0 0 0 0 0 5 .288 M Izturis 2b 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .248 J Molina c 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .221 Totals 27 1 5 1 4 7 13 BATTING: 2B - R Willits (12, K Millwood); V Guerrero (28, K Millwood). RBI - G Matthews Jr (44). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Figgins 1, V Guerrero 1, C Kotchman 2. GIDP - C Kotchman, V Guerrero. Team LOB - 6. FIELDING: E - C Figgins (10, throw). Outfield assists - V Guerrero (R Vazquez at 2nd base). DP: 1 (V Guerrero-O Cabrera). ---------------------------------------------------- TEXAS - 000 010 00 -- 1 LA ANGELS - 000 100 00 -- 1 ---------------------------------------------------- TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era K Millwood 7 5 1 1 3 7 0 5.77 J Benoit 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 3.06 LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era K Escobar 8 6 1 1 1 6 0 3.04 IBB - M Teixeira (by K Escobar). Pitches-strikes: K Millwood 101-59; J Benoit 10-5; K Escobar 110-65. Ground balls-fly balls: K Millwood 11-3; J Benoit 3-0; K Escobar 4-13. Batters faced: K Millwood 28; J Benoit 3; K Escobar 31. UMPIRES: HP--Tim Timmons. 1B--Rick Reed. 2B--Chuck Meriwether. 3B--Alfonso Marquez. Weather: 87 degrees, clear. Wind: 7 mph, out to center.</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - PITCHING CHANGE LAA: FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ (2-2, 2.33) STARTING THE 9TH CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 1, LA ANGELS 1 DUE UP FOR TEXAS: M BYRD (.370, 0-FOR-3)</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: F Rodriguez relieved K Escobar. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 1 LA ANGELS 1 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR TEXAS: M Byrd (.370, 0-FOR-3)</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: B Wilkerson hit for J Hairston Jr. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, F CATALANOTTO ON FIRST, 2 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 1 LA ANGELS 1 TOP, 9TH DUE UP FOR TEXAS: B Wilkerson (.228, 14 HR, 42 RBI)</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">AL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - TEXAS 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 LA ANGELS 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 5 1 (BOT 9) CURRENT PITCHERS: TEX - JOAQUIN BENOIT LAA - FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ DUE UP FOR LA ANGELS: G MATTHEWS JR (.280, 1-FOR-2, BB, RBI) G ANDERSON (.281, 0-FOR-2, BB) C KOTCHMAN (.288, 0-FOR-3)</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">TEXAS (1) VS LA ANGELS (1) - MID 9TH - IN PROGRESS TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg K Lofton cf 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 .304 M Young ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .285 M Teixeira 1b 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 .302 S Sosa dh 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .241 M Byrd rf 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .367 F Catalanotto lf 3 0 1 0 1 0 1 .232 G Laird c 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 .230 J Hairston Jr 2b 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 .209 a-B Wilkerson ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .227 R Vazquez 3b 3 0 1 1 0 1 0 .240 Totals 32 1 6 1 2 8 12 a-struck out swinging for J Hairston Jr in the 9th. BATTING: 2B - F Catalanotto (8, K Escobar); M Teixeira (19, K Escobar); G Laird (9, K Escobar); K Lofton (14, K Escobar). S - J Hairston Jr. RBI - R Vazquez (14). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - F Catalanotto 1, S Sosa 1, J Hairston Jr 1. Team LOB - 7. FIELDING: DP: 2 (J Hairston Jr-M Young-M Teixeira, J Hairston Jr-M Teixeira). LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg R Willits lf 3 0 1 0 1 2 0 .312 C Figgins 3b 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .299 O Cabrera ss 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 .328 V Guerrero rf 4 0 2 0 0 0 2 .327 G Matthews Jr cf 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 .280 G Anderson dh 2 0 0 0 1 1 4 .281 C Kotchman 1b 3 0 0 0 0 0 5 .288 M Izturis 2b 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .248 J Molina c 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .221 Totals 27 1 5 1 4 7 13 BATTING: 2B - R Willits (12, K Millwood); V Guerrero (28, K Millwood). RBI - G Matthews Jr (44). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Figgins 1, V Guerrero 1, C Kotchman 2. GIDP - C Kotchman, V Guerrero. Team LOB - 6. FIELDING: E - C Figgins (10, throw). Outfield assists - V Guerrero (R Vazquez at 2nd base). DP: 1 (V Guerrero-O Cabrera). ---------------------------------------------------- TEXAS - 000 010 000 -- 1 LA ANGELS - 000 100 00 -- 1 ---------------------------------------------------- TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era K Millwood 7 5 1 1 3 7 0 5.77 J Benoit 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 3.06 LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era K Escobar 8 6 1 1 1 6 0 3.04 F Rodriguez 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 2.27 IBB - M Teixeira (by K Escobar). Pitches-strikes: K Millwood 101-59; J Benoit 10-5; K Escobar 110-65; F Rodriguez 20-11. Ground balls-fly balls: K Millwood 11-3; J Benoit 3-0; K Escobar 4-13; F Rodriguez 0-1. Batters faced: K Millwood 28; J Benoit 3; K Escobar 31; F Rodriguez 4. UMPIRES: HP--Tim Timmons. 1B--Rick Reed. 2B--Chuck Meriwether. 3B--Alfonso Marquez. Weather: 87 degrees, clear. Wind: 7 mph, out to center.</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: D Relaford at second base. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 1 LA ANGELS 1 BOTTOM, 9TH DUE UP FOR LA ANGELS: G Matthews Jr (.280, 1-FOR-2, RBI)</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - PITCHING CHANGE TEX: RON MAHAY (1-0, 2.35) IN THE 9TH SITUATION: NO RUNS IN, G MATTHEWS JR ON SECOND, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 1, LA ANGELS 1 DUE UP FOR LAANGELS: G ANDERSON (.281, 0-FOR-2)</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: R Mahay relieved J Benoit. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, G MATTHEWS JR ON SECOND, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: TEXAS 1 LA ANGELS 1 BOTTOM, 9TH DUE UP FOR LA ANGELS: G Anderson (.281, 0-FOR-2)</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - SCORING UPDATE SINGLE BY CASEY KOTCHMAN SCORED GARY MATTHEWS JR. FINAL SCORE: LA ANGELS 2, TEXAS 1</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - TEXAS 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 LA ANGELS 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 7 1 (FINAL) BATTERIES: TEX - KEVIN MILLWOOD, JOAQUIN BENOIT (8TH), RON MAHAY (9TH) AND GERALD LAIRD LAA - KELVIM ESCOBAR, FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ (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 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 LA ANGELS 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 7 1 (FINAL) BATTERIES: TEX - KEVIN MILLWOOD, JOAQUIN BENOIT (8TH), RON MAHAY (9TH) AND GERALD LAIRD LAA - KELVIM ESCOBAR, FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ (9TH) AND JOSE MOLINA WP - FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ (3-2) LP - JOAQUIN BENOIT (3-3) SAVE - NONE HOME RUNS: TEX - NONE LAA - NONE TIME: 2:38 ATT: 44,100 PROBABLES: TEX - KAMERON LOE (5-6, 5.36) LAA - KELVIM ESCOBAR (10-3, 3.04)</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">TEXAS (1) VS LA ANGELS (2) - FINAL TEXAS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg K Lofton cf 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 .304 M Young ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .285 M Teixeira 1b 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 .302 S Sosa dh 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .241 M Byrd rf 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .367 F Catalanotto lf 3 0 1 0 1 0 1 .232 G Laird c 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 .230 J Hairston Jr 2b 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 .209 a-B Wilkerson ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .227 D Relaford 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200 R Vazquez 3b 3 0 1 1 0 1 0 .240 Totals 32 1 6 1 2 8 12 a-struck out swinging for J Hairston Jr in the 9th. BATTING: 2B - F Catalanotto (8, K Escobar); M Teixeira (19, K Escobar); G Laird (9, K Escobar); K Lofton (14, K Escobar). S - J Hairston Jr. RBI - R Vazquez (14). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - F Catalanotto 1, S Sosa 1, J Hairston Jr 1. Team LOB - 7. FIELDING: DP: 2 (J Hairston Jr-M Young-M Teixeira, J Hairston Jr-M Teixeira). LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg R Willits lf 3 0 1 0 1 2 0 .312 C Figgins 3b 4 0 0 0 0 2 2 .299 O Cabrera ss 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 .328 V Guerrero rf 4 0 2 0 0 0 2 .327 G Matthews Jr cf 3 1 2 1 1 0 0 .283 G Anderson dh 3 0 0 0 1 1 4 .279 C Kotchman 1b 4 0 1 1 0 0 5 .291 M Izturis 2b 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .248 J Molina c 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .221 Totals 30 2 7 2 4 7 13 BATTING: 2B - R Willits (12, K Millwood); V Guerrero (28, K Millwood); G Matthews Jr (16, J Benoit). RBI - G Matthews Jr (44), C Kotchman (39). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - C Figgins 1, V Guerrero 1, C Kotchman 2. GIDP - C Kotchman, V Guerrero. Team LOB - 7. FIELDING: E - C Figgins (10, throw). Outfield assists - V Guerrero (R Vazquez at 2nd base). DP: 1 (V Guerrero-O Cabrera). ---------------------------------------------------- TEXAS - 000 010 000 -- 1 LA ANGELS - 000 100 001 -- 2 One out when winning run scored. ---------------------------------------------------- TEXAS ip h r er bb so hr era K Millwood 7 5 1 1 3 7 0 5.77 J Benoit (L, 3-3) 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 3.26 R Mahay 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.32 LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era K Escobar 8 6 1 1 1 6 0 3.04 F Rodriguez (W, 3-2) 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 2.27 J Benoit pitched to 1 batter in the 9th. IBB - M Teixeira (by K Escobar). Pitches-strikes: K Millwood 101-59; J Benoit 14-8; R Mahay 8-5; K Escobar 110-65; F Rodriguez 20-11. Ground balls-fly balls: K Millwood 11-3; J Benoit 3-0; R Mahay 1-0; K Escobar 4-13; F Rodriguez 0-1. Batters faced: K Millwood 28; J Benoit 4; R Mahay 2; K Escobar 31; F Rodriguez 4. UMPIRES: HP--Tim Timmons. 1B--Rick Reed. 2B--Chuck Meriwether. 3B--Alfonso Marquez. T--2:38. Att--44,100. Weather: 87 degrees, clear. Wind: 7 mph, out to center.</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TEXAS (1) AT LA ANGELS (2) - HOW THEY SCORED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LA ANGELS 4TH: C Figgins struck out looking. O Cabrera singled to left. V Guerrero reached on infield single to catcher, O Cabrera to second. G Matthews Jr singled to right, O Cabrera scored, V Guerrero to third. G Anderson struck out swinging. C Kotchman grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0, LA ANGELS 1. TEXAS 5TH: G Laird doubled to deep center. J Hairston Jr sacrificed to third, G Laird to third. R Vazquez singled to right, G Laird scored. K Lofton singled to right, R Vazquez to second. M Young lined into double play, right to shortstop, R Vazquez doubled off second.(1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, LA ANGELS 1. LA ANGELS 9TH: D Relaford at second base. G Matthews Jr doubled to center. R Mahay relieved J Benoit. G Anderson grounded out to second, G Matthews Jr to third. C Kotchman singled to right, G Matthews Jr scored. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, LA ANGELS 2.</div>
AL: TEXAS at LA ANGELS <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TEXAS (1) AT LA ANGELS (2) - EVENT LOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Texas Starting Lineups -- K Lofton CF, M Young SS, M Teixeira 1B, S Sosa DH, M Byrd RF, F Catalanotto LF, G Laird C, J Hairston Jr 2B, R Vazquez 3B, K Millwood RHP. La Angels Starting Lineups -- R Willits LF, C Figgins 3B, O Cabrera SS, V Guerrero RF, G Matthews Jr CF, G Anderson DH, C Kotchman 1B, M Izturis 2B, J Molina C, K Escobar RHP. Umpires -- Tim Timmons (HP), Rick Reed (1B), Chuck Meriwether (2B), Alfonso Marquez (3B). Gametime Weather: 87 degrees, Clear, wind out to center at 7 mph. TEXAS 1ST: K Lofton flied out to right. M Young grounded out to shortstop. M Teixeira struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0, LA ANGELS 0. LA ANGELS 1ST: R Willits walked. C Figgins struck out swinging. O Cabrera grounded out to second, R Willits to second. V Guerrero grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0, LA ANGELS 0. TEXAS 2ND: S Sosa struck out swinging. M Byrd struck out swinging. F Catalanotto doubled to left. G Laird safe at first on throwing error by third baseman C Figgins, F Catalanotto to third. J Hairston Jr struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Error) TEXAS 0, LA ANGELS 0. LA ANGELS 2ND: G Matthews Jr grounded out to shortstop. G Anderson walked. C Kotchman grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, G Anderson out at second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0, LA ANGELS 0. TEXAS 3RD: R Vazquez flied out to center. K Lofton flied out to center. M Young popped out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0, LA ANGELS 0. LA ANGELS 3RD: M Izturis struck out looking. J Molina grounded out to first. R Willits struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0, LA ANGELS 0. TEXAS 4TH: M Teixeira hit a ground rule double to deep right. S Sosa popped out to second. M Byrd flied out to right. F Catalanotto lined out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0, LA ANGELS 0. LA ANGELS 4TH: C Figgins struck out looking. O Cabrera singled to left. V Guerrero reached on infield single to catcher, O Cabrera to second. G Matthews Jr singled to right, O Cabrera scored, V Guerrero to third. G Anderson struck out swinging. C Kotchman grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 0, LA ANGELS 1. TEXAS 5TH: G Laird doubled to deep center. J Hairston Jr sacrificed to third, G Laird to third. R Vazquez singled to right, G Laird scored. K Lofton singled to right, R Vazquez to second. M Young lined into double play, right to shortstop, R Vazquez doubled off second.(1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, LA ANGELS 1. LA ANGELS 5TH: M Izturis flied out to left. J Molina grounded out to second. R Willits doubled to deep left. C Figgins flied out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, LA ANGELS 1. TEXAS 6TH: M Teixeira lined out to shortstop. S Sosa lined out to shortstop. M Byrd lined out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, LA ANGELS 1. LA ANGELS 6TH: O Cabrera flied out to center. V Guerrero doubled to deep center. G Matthews Jr walked. G Anderson grounded into fielder's choice to third, V Guerrero out at third, G Matthews Jr to second. C Kotchman grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, LA ANGELS 1. TEXAS 7TH: F Catalanotto flied out to left. G Laird struck out looking. J Hairston Jr grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, LA ANGELS 1. LA ANGELS 7TH: M Izturis struck out swinging. J Molina grounded out to second. R Willits struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, LA ANGELS 1. TEXAS 8TH: R Vazquez struck out looking. K Lofton doubled to left. M Young grounded out to shortstop, K Lofton to third. M Teixeira intentionally walked. S Sosa flied out to right. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, LA ANGELS 1. LA ANGELS 8TH: J Benoit relieved K Millwood. C Figgins grounded out to shortstop. O Cabrera walked. V Guerrero grounded into double play, second to first, O Cabrera out at second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, LA ANGELS 1. TEXAS 9TH: F Rodriguez relieved K Escobar. M Byrd struck out looking. F Catalanotto walked. G Laird flied out to left. B Wilkerson hit for J Hairston Jr. B Wilkerson struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, LA ANGELS 1. LA ANGELS 9TH: D Relaford at second base. G Matthews Jr doubled to center. R Mahay relieved J Benoit. G Anderson grounded out to second, G Matthews Jr to third. C Kotchman singled to right, G Matthews Jr scored. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TEXAS 1, LA ANGELS 2.</div>
Kotchman's walk-off single lifts Angels over Rangers <h3>LA ANGELS 2, TEXAS 1</h3>ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Casey Kotchman drove in thewinning run with a walk-off single as the Los Angeles Angels ofAnaheim notched a 2-1 victory Friday over the Texas Rangers. Kelvim Escobar pitched eight solid innings and Gary Matthews Jr.scored a run and plated another for the Angels, who got off onthe right foot in the season's second half after dropping eightof 12 games before the All-Star break. Matthews led off the ninth with a double to center field offreliever Joaquin Benoit (3-3). The Rangers then brought inlefthander Ron Mahay, who got Garret Anderson to ground out tosecond, moving Matthews to third. Kotchman followed with a single to right field through adrawn-in infield to give Anaheim the win. Francisco Rodriguez (3-2) pitched around a one-out walk in thetop of the ninth to earn the win. Escobar dominated the Rangers for the second time in nine daysand third time this season with eight innings of one-run ball.The Venezuelan hurler yielded six hits while striking out sixand issuing just one walk. The veteran righthander, who just barely missed out on anAll-Star berth, stymied Texas in his final start before thebreak on July 5, earning a win when he allowed one run and threehits in seven frames. Escobar has not suffered a loss since May 31 against Baltimore. Rangers starter Kevin Millwood matched Escobar through the firstseven innings, allowing one run and five hits while strikingout seven and walking three. It marked the righthander's fifthstraight solid outing as he posted a 3-1 record with a 3.12 ERAin his previous four starts. Millwood's recent success comes on the heels of aninjury-plagued start to the season that saw his ERA rise as highas 7.57 after an embarrassing loss on June 6 against Detroit.The veteran's resurgence has been one of the keys to thelast-place Rangers' run of seven straight series without a lossover the past month. The Angels got on the board in the fourth, when Orlando Cabreraknocked a single to left - the first hit of the night offMillwood - and moved to second on Vladimir Guerrero's infieldhit. Matthews drove Cabrera home with Anaheim's third straightsingle. Texas even the contest in the fifth, when Gerald Laird hit aleadoff double, moved to third on a sacrifice and scored onRamon Vazquez's single.
Kotchman's walk-off single lifts Angels over Rangers <h3>LA ANGELS 2, TEXAS 1</h3>ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Casey Kotchman drove in thewinning run with a walk-off single as the Los Angeles Angels ofAnaheim notched a 2-1 victory Friday over the Texas Rangers. Kelvim Escobar pitched eight solid innings and Gary Matthews Jr.scored a run and plated another for the Angels, who got off onthe right foot in the season's second half after dropping eightof 12 games before the All-Star break. Matthews led off the ninth with a double to center field offreliever Joaquin Benoit (3-3). The Rangers then brought inlefthander Ron Mahay, who got Garret Anderson to ground out tosecond, moving Matthews to third. "I just wanted to get on base any way I could to help the team,"Matthews said. Kotchman followed with a single to right field through adrawn-in infield to give Anaheim the win. "Anytime you can get up in a situation with the game on the lineand come through is big for me and the team," Kotchman said. Francisco Rodriguez (3-2) pitched around a one-out walk in thetop of the ninth to earn the win. "Frankie came in and did a great job shutting them down andkeeping them off the board to give us a chance to win it in theninth," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. Escobar dominated the Rangers for the second time in nine daysand third time this season with eight innings of one-run ball.The Venezuelan hurler yielded six hits while striking out sixand issuing just one walk. "Escobar is tough because he can throw all of his pitches in thezone and you just never know what pitch is coming next," saidRangers right fielder Marlon Byrd, who went 0-for-4 with a pairof strikeouts. The veteran righthander, who just barely missed out on anAll-Star berth, stymied Texas in his final start before thebreak on July 5, earning a win when he allowed one run and threehits in seven frames. "I just know that they have an aggressive team, so I just try tomix up my pitches and make them swing at pitches out of thezone," Escobar said. Escobar has not suffered a loss since May 31 against Baltimore. "I feel good right now," he said. "I just try to go out andmake my pitches and get outs. My mechanics feel really goodright now and I hope I can keep pitching good and giving ourteam wins." Rangers starter Kevin Millwood matched Escobar through the firstseven innings, allowing one run and five hits while strikingout seven and walking three. It marked the righthander's fifthstraight solid outing as he posted a 3-1 record with a 3.12 ERAin his previous four starts. "I've just got to continue my recent success," Millwood said."I did feel tired after the seventh, but I felt like I pitched agood game." Millwood's recent success comes on the heels of aninjury-plagued start to the season that saw his ERA rise as highas 7.57 after an embarrassing loss on June 6 against Detroit.The veteran's resurgence has been one of the keys to thelast-place Rangers' run of seven straight series without a lossover the past month. "I'm just a lot healthier right now and I've been working harderin the bullpen between starts, which has helped me," Millwoodsaid. "I wanted to come out of the game with the lead, but atleast I gave us a chance to win." The Angels got on the board in the fourth, when Orlando Cabreraknocked a single to left - the first hit of the night offMillwood - and moved to second on Vladimir Guerrero's infieldhit. Matthews drove Cabrera home with Anaheim's third straightsingle. Texas even the contest in the fifth, when Gerald Laird hit aleadoff double, moved to third on a sacrifice and scored onRamon Vazquez's single.
