GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: TORONTO (65-64) at LA ANGELS (75-54)

AL: TORONTO at LA ANGELS

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

CURRENT PITCHERS: TOR - DUSTIN MCGOWAN
LAA - KELVIM ESCOBAR

DUE UP FOR LA ANGELS: R WILLITS (.300, 0-FOR-3)
O CABRERA (.309, 0-FOR-3)
V GUERRERO (.320, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">TORONTO (1) VS LA ANGELS (3) - MID 8TH - IN PROGRESS

TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Johnson lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .255
L Overbay 1b 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .256
A Rios rf 4 0 1 0 0 2 1 .305
V Wells cf 4 1 1 0 0 0 2 .259
F Thomas dh 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 .266
R Adams pr-dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .111
T Glaus 3b 2 0 0 1 0 1 2 .252
A Hill 2b 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 .269
G Zaun c 3 0 0 0 0 1 4 .228
J McDonald ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .260
a-M Stairs ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .293
R Olmedo ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231

Totals 30 1 6 1 0 5 14

a-grounded to shortstop for J Mcdonald in the 7th.

BATTING: SF - T Glaus. RBI - T Glaus (54). Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - M Stairs 1, J McDonald 1. Team LOB - 6.

BASERUNNING: SB - V Wells (9, 2nd base off K Escobar/J Mathis).

FIELDING: E - G Zaun (5, throw).


LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Willits rf 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 .300
O Cabrera ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .309
V Guerrero dh 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .320
G Anderson lf 3 2 2 1 0 0 0 .279
M Izturis 3b 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 .279
G Matthews Jr cf 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 .264
K Morales 1b 3 0 1 0 0 2 2 .268
H Kendrick 2b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .312
J Mathis c 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .204

Totals 27 3 6 2 0 6 6

BATTING: 2B - G Anderson (24, D McGowan). HR - G Anderson (9, 2nd inning off D
McGowan 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - G Anderson (51), M Izturis (39). Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - K Morales 1. Team LOB - 3.

BASERUNNING: SB - M Izturis (5, 2nd base off D McGowan/G Zaun), G Matthews Jr
(14, 3rd base off D McGowan/G Zaun).

FIELDING: E - G Matthews Jr (5, fly ball).


----------------------------------------------------
TORONTO - 000 010 00 -- 1
LA ANGELS - 010 100 1 -- 3
----------------------------------------------------

TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era
D McGowan 7 6 3 3 0 6 1 4.18

LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era
K Escobar 8 6 1 1 0 5 0 2.77

WP - D McGowan. Pitches-strikes: D McGowan 100-62; K Escobar 109-72. Ground
balls-fly balls: D McGowan 6-9; K Escobar 9-10. Batters faced: D McGowan 27; K
Escobar 31.

UMPIRES: HP--Tony Randazzo. 1B--Charlie Reliford. 2B--Greg Gibson. 3B--Larry
Vanover.

Weather: 78 degrees, overcast. Wind: 6 mph, out to right.</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - PITCHING CHANGE
TOR: CASEY JANSSEN (2-2, 2.32) STARTING THE 8TH
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 1, LA ANGELS 3

DUE UP FOR LAANGELS: R WILLITS (.300, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: C Janssen relieved D McGowan.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 1
LA ANGELS 3 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR LA ANGELS: R Willits (.300, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at LA ANGELS

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

CURRENT PITCHERS: TOR - CASEY JANSSEN
LAA - KELVIM ESCOBAR

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: R ADAMS (.111, 0 HR, 0 RBI)
T GLAUS (.252, 0-FOR-2, SF, RBI)
A HILL (.269, 2-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">TORONTO (1) VS LA ANGELS (3) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Johnson lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .255
L Overbay 1b 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .256
A Rios rf 4 0 1 0 0 2 1 .305
V Wells cf 4 1 1 0 0 0 2 .259
F Thomas dh 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 .266
R Adams pr-dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .111
T Glaus 3b 2 0 0 1 0 1 2 .252
A Hill 2b 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 .269
G Zaun c 3 0 0 0 0 1 4 .228
J McDonald ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .260
a-M Stairs ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .293
R Olmedo ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231

Totals 30 1 6 1 0 5 14

a-grounded to shortstop for J Mcdonald in the 7th.

BATTING: SF - T Glaus. RBI - T Glaus (54). Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - M Stairs 1, J McDonald 1. Team LOB - 6.

BASERUNNING: SB - V Wells (9, 2nd base off K Escobar/J Mathis).

FIELDING: E - G Zaun (5, throw).


LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Willits rf 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .299
O Cabrera ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .308
V Guerrero dh 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .319
G Anderson lf 3 2 2 1 0 0 0 .279
M Izturis 3b 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 .279
G Matthews Jr cf 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 .264
K Morales 1b 3 0 1 0 0 2 2 .268
H Kendrick 2b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .312
J Mathis c 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .204

Totals 30 3 6 2 0 6 6

BATTING: 2B - G Anderson (24, D McGowan). HR - G Anderson (9, 2nd inning off D
McGowan 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - G Anderson (51), M Izturis (39). Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - K Morales 1. Team LOB - 3.

BASERUNNING: SB - M Izturis (5, 2nd base off D McGowan/G Zaun), G Matthews Jr
(14, 3rd base off D McGowan/G Zaun).

FIELDING: E - G Matthews Jr (5, fly ball).


----------------------------------------------------
TORONTO - 000 010 00 -- 1
LA ANGELS - 010 100 10 -- 3
----------------------------------------------------

TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era
D McGowan 7 6 3 3 0 6 1 4.18
C Janssen 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.29

LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era
K Escobar 8 6 1 1 0 5 0 2.77

WP - D McGowan. Pitches-strikes: D McGowan 100-62; C Janssen 8-4; K Escobar
109-72. Ground balls-fly balls: D McGowan 6-9; C Janssen 3-0; K Escobar 9-10.
Batters faced: D McGowan 27; C Janssen 3; K Escobar 31.

UMPIRES: HP--Tony Randazzo. 1B--Charlie Reliford. 2B--Greg Gibson. 3B--Larry
Vanover.

Weather: 78 degrees, overcast. Wind: 6 mph, out to right.</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">AL AT LA ANGELS - PITCHING CHANGE
LAA: FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ (5-2, 2.80) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 1, LA ANGELS 3

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: R ADAMS (.111, 0 HR, 0 RBI)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO 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: TORONTO 1
LA ANGELS 3 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: R Adams (.111, 0 HR, 0 RBI)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at LA ANGELS

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

BATTERIES: TOR - DUSTIN MCGOWAN, CASEY JANSSEN (8TH) AND GREGG ZAUN

LAA - KELVIM ESCOBAR, FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ (9TH) AND
JEFF MATHIS

HOME RUNS: TOR - NONE

LAA - GARRET ANDERSON (9) OFF DUSTIN MCGOWAN IN THE 2ND, 0 ON</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at LA ANGELS

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

BATTERIES: TOR - DUSTIN MCGOWAN, CASEY JANSSEN (8TH) AND GREGG ZAUN

LAA - KELVIM ESCOBAR, FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ (9TH) AND
JEFF MATHIS


WP - KELVIM ESCOBAR (15-6)
LP - DUSTIN MCGOWAN (8-8)
SAVE - FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ (33)

HOME RUNS: TOR - NONE

LAA - GARRET ANDERSON (9) OFF DUSTIN MCGOWAN IN THE 2ND, 0 ON


TIME: 2:19 ATT: 40,565

PROBABLES: LAA - JOHN LACKEY (15-8, 3.34)
SEA - MIGUEL BATISTA (13-9, 4.57)

PROBABLES: TOR - A.J. BURNETT (7-7, 3.85)
OAK - ESTEBAN LOAIZA (1-0, 1.17)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">TORONTO (1) VS LA ANGELS (3) - FINAL

TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Johnson lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .255
L Overbay 1b 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .256
A Rios rf 4 0 1 0 0 2 1 .305
V Wells cf 4 1 1 0 0 0 2 .259
F Thomas dh 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 .266
R Adams pr-dh 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .100
T Glaus 3b 3 0 0 1 0 1 2 .251
A Hill 2b 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 .269
G Zaun c 3 0 0 0 0 1 4 .228
J McDonald ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .260
a-M Stairs ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .293
R Olmedo ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231

Totals 33 1 6 1 0 7 14

a-grounded to shortstop for J Mcdonald in the 7th.

BATTING: SF - T Glaus. RBI - T Glaus (54). Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - M Stairs 1, J McDonald 1. Team LOB - 6.

BASERUNNING: SB - V Wells (9, 2nd base off K Escobar/J Mathis).

FIELDING: E - G Zaun (5, throw).


LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Willits rf 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .299
O Cabrera ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 .308
V Guerrero dh 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .319
G Anderson lf 3 2 2 1 0 0 0 .279
M Izturis 3b 3 0 1 1 0 0 0 .279
G Matthews Jr cf 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 .264
K Morales 1b 3 0 1 0 0 2 2 .268
H Kendrick 2b 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .312
J Mathis c 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .204

Totals 30 3 6 2 0 6 6

BATTING: 2B - G Anderson (24, D McGowan). HR - G Anderson (9, 2nd inning off D
McGowan 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - G Anderson (51), M Izturis (39). Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - K Morales 1. Team LOB - 3.

BASERUNNING: SB - M Izturis (5, 2nd base off D McGowan/G Zaun), G Matthews Jr
(14, 3rd base off D McGowan/G Zaun).

FIELDING: E - G Matthews Jr (5, fly ball).


----------------------------------------------------
TORONTO - 000 010 000 -- 1
LA ANGELS - 010 100 10x -- 3
----------------------------------------------------

TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era
D McGowan (L, 8-8) 7 6 3 3 0 6 1 4.18
C Janssen 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.29

LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era
K Escobar (W, 15-6) 8 6 1 1 0 5 0 2.77
F Rodriguez (S, 33) 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 2.75

WP - D McGowan. Pitches-strikes: D McGowan 100-62; C Janssen 8-4; K Escobar
109-72; F Rodriguez 11-7. Ground balls-fly balls: D McGowan 6-9; C Janssen 3-0;
K Escobar 9-10; F Rodriguez 1-0. Batters faced: D McGowan 27; C Janssen 3; K
Escobar 31; F Rodriguez 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Tony Randazzo. 1B--Charlie Reliford. 2B--Greg Gibson. 3B--Larry
Vanover.

T--2:19. Att--40,565.
Weather: 78 degrees, overcast. Wind: 6 mph, out to
right.</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
TORONTO 1
LA ANGELS 3 FINAL</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TORONTO (1) AT LA ANGELS (3) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LA ANGELS 2ND: G Anderson homered to right center. M Izturis grounded out
to third. G Matthews Jr grounded out to second. K Morales singled to center.
H Kendrick struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0, LA ANGELS 1.

LA ANGELS 4TH: V Guerrero popped out to second. G Anderson doubled to
right. M Izturis singled to center, G Anderson scored. M Izturis stole
second. G Matthews Jr struck out swinging. K Morales struck out swinging.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0, LA ANGELS 2.

TORONTO 5TH: V Wells singled to left. V Wells stole second. F Thomas safe
at first on error by center fielder G Matthews Jr, V Wells to third. T Glaus
hit sacrifice fly to left, V Wells scored. A Hill singled to right, F Thomas
to third. G Zaun fouled out to catcher. J McDonald flied out to left. (1 Run,
2 Hits, 1 Error) TORONTO 1, LA ANGELS 2.

LA ANGELS 7TH: R Olmedo at shortstop. G Matthews Jr singled to left.
G Matthews Jr to second on wild pitch by D McGowan. K Morales struck out
swinging. G Matthews Jr stole third, G Matthews Jr scored on throwing error by
catcher G Zaun. H Kendrick fouled out to right. J Mathis lined out to third.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) TORONTO 1, LA ANGELS 3.</div>

 

Escobar dominates Blue Jays as Angels prepare for Mariners

<h3>LA ANGELS 3, TORONTO 1</h3>ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Kelvim Escobar dominated theToronto Blue Jays and gave the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim aboost heading into a crucial American League West showdown.

Escobar threw eight stellar innings and Garret Anderson homeredas the Angels posted a 3-1 victory over the Blue Jays on Sunday.

Maicer Izturis singled in a run in the fourth for Anaheim, whichincreased its lead to 1 1/2 games over the Seattle Mariners(73-54), whom they visit for a three-game series starting onMonday. Seattle plays Texas later Sunday.


A former Blue Jay, Escobar (15-6) picked up his fourth straightwin with a masterful performance, allowing one run and six hitswith five strikeouts and no walks in eight innings. Therighthander retired the first 12 hitters he faced beforeallowing a leadoff single to Vernon Wells in the fifth.

Anderson gave Escobar the lead when he blasted a leadoff homer -the 250th of his career - in the second inning off Torontostarter Dustin McGowan (8-8). Anderson also hit a one-outdouble to right in the fourth and scored on single by Izturis asthe Angles improved their major league-best home record to44-20.


Holding a 2-0 lead, Escobar ran into little resistance throughthe first four innings. However, the Blue Jays finally got onthe board in the fifth, helped by an error on center fielderGary Matthews Jr.


Wells got Toronto's first hit of the game and stole second. Thespeedy Wells was tagging on a fly ball to center by FrankThomas when Matthews took his eye off the ball and dropped it.Troy Glaus followed with a sacrifice fly to right, cutting thelead to 2-1, and Aaron Hill singled to put runners on thecorners.


However, Escobar worked out of the jam and also got out of aone-out, first-and-second bind in the seventh.


While the Blue Jays couldn't muster a clutch hit, the Angelesmanufactured an insurance run in the seventh. Matthews led offwith a single, moved to second on a wild pitch, stole third andscored when catcher Gregg Zaun's throw sailed into left field.

Francisco Rodriguez followed Escobar by working a scorelessninth for his 33rd save in 37 chances.


McGowan, who also took the loss when he faced Escobar on August16, allowed two runs in six hits in seven innings. He had sixstrikeouts and did not allow a walk but remained winless in hislast five starts.


Toronto, which has lost five of seven, went 0-for-5 with runnersin scoring position.

 

AL: TORONTO at LA ANGELS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TORONTO (1) AT LA ANGELS (3) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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, J McDonald SS, D McGowan RHP.

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

Umpires -- Tony Randazzo (HP), Charlie Reliford (1B), Greg Gibson (2B),
Larry Vanover (3B).

Gametime Weather: 78 degrees, Overcast, wind out to right at 6 mph.


TORONTO 1ST: R Johnson popped out to shortstop. L Overbay grounded out to
second. A Rios grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0,
LA ANGELS 0.

LA ANGELS 1ST: R Willits struck out swinging. O Cabrera flied out to left.
V Guerrero grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0,
LA ANGELS 0.

TORONTO 2ND: V Wells flied out to left. F Thomas struck out swinging.
T Glaus struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0, LA ANGELS 0.

LA ANGELS 2ND: G Anderson homered to right center. M Izturis grounded out
to third. G Matthews Jr grounded out to second. K Morales singled to center.
H Kendrick struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0, LA ANGELS 1.

TORONTO 3RD: A Hill grounded out to second. G Zaun flied out to right.
J McDonald flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0, LA ANGELS 1.

LA ANGELS 3RD: J Mathis flied out to left. R Willits struck out swinging.
O Cabrera grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0,
LA ANGELS 1.

TORONTO 4TH: R Johnson grounded out to pitcher. L Overbay flied out to
left. A Rios struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0,
LA ANGELS 1.

LA ANGELS 4TH: V Guerrero popped out to second. G Anderson doubled to
right. M Izturis singled to center, G Anderson scored. M Izturis stole
second. G Matthews Jr struck out swinging. K Morales struck out swinging.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0, LA ANGELS 2.

TORONTO 5TH: V Wells singled to left. V Wells stole second. F Thomas safe
at first on error by center fielder G Matthews Jr, V Wells to third. T Glaus
hit sacrifice fly to left, V Wells scored. A Hill singled to right, F Thomas
to third. G Zaun fouled out to catcher. J McDonald flied out to left. (1 Run,
2 Hits, 1 Error) TORONTO 1, LA ANGELS 2.

LA ANGELS 5TH: H Kendrick flied out to right. J Mathis singled to left.
R Willits flied out to center. O Cabrera flied out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) TORONTO 1, LA ANGELS 2.

TORONTO 6TH: R Johnson popped out to shortstop. L Overbay grounded out to
second. A Rios singled to left. V Wells grounded out to third. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, LA ANGELS 2.

LA ANGELS 6TH: V Guerrero grounded out to first. G Anderson popped out to
shortstop. M Izturis grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
TORONTO 1, LA ANGELS 2.

TORONTO 7TH: F Thomas singled to center. T Glaus flied out to right.
A Hill singled to left, F Thomas to second. G Zaun struck out swinging.
M Stairs hit for J McDonald. R Adams ran for F Thomas. M Stairs grounded out to
shortstop. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, LA ANGELS 2.

LA ANGELS 7TH: R Olmedo at shortstop. G Matthews Jr singled to left.
G Matthews Jr to second on wild pitch by D McGowan. K Morales struck out
swinging. G Matthews Jr stole third, G Matthews Jr scored on throwing error by
catcher G Zaun. H Kendrick fouled out to right. J Mathis lined out to third.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) TORONTO 1, LA ANGELS 3.

TORONTO 8TH: R Johnson grounded out to third. L Overbay singled to right.
A Rios struck out swinging. V Wells grounded into fielder's choice to
shortstop, L Overbay out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1,
LA ANGELS 3.

LA ANGELS 8TH: C Janssen relieved D McGowan. R Willits grounded out to
second. O Cabrera grounded out to shortstop. V Guerrero grounded out to
shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, LA ANGELS 3.

TORONTO 9TH: F Rodriguez relieved K Escobar. R Adams struck out swinging.
T Glaus grounded out to third. A Hill struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) TORONTO 1, LA ANGELS 3.</div>

 

Escobar dominates Blue Jays as Angels prepare for Mariners

<h3>LA ANGELS 3, TORONTO 1</h3>ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Kelvim Escobar dominated theToronto Blue Jays and gave the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim aboost heading into a crucial American League West showdown.

Escobar threw eight stellar innings and Garret Anderson homeredas the Angels posted a 3-1 victory over the Blue Jays on Sunday.

Maicer Izturis singled in a run in the fourth for Anaheim, whichincreased its lead to 1 1/2 games over the Seattle Mariners(73-54), whom they visit for a three-game series starting onMonday. Seattle plays Texas later Sunday.


However, Angels manager Mike Scioscia downplayed thesignificance of the upcoming series.


"It doesn't matter who we play, because we have to just stayfocused on getting on the baseball field and playing our game,"Scioscia said. "The next series isn't going to make or breakour season."


A former Blue Jay, Escobar (15-6) picked up his fourth straightwin with a masterful performance, allowing one run and six hitswith five strikeouts and no walks in eight innings. Therighthander retired the first 12 hitters he faced beforeallowing a leadoff single to Vernon Wells in the fifth.

"I didn't feel like I had good stuff early but I picked it uplater in the game," Escobar said. "Fifteen wins is good,because I feel like I deserve it with the way I have pitchedthis year, and 20 wins has always been a dream of mine."

Anderson gave Escobar the lead when he blasted a leadoff homer -the 250th of his career - in the second inning off Torontostarter Dustin McGowan (8-8). Anderson also hit a one-outdouble to right in the fourth and scored on single by Izturis asthe Angles improved their major league-best home record to44-20.


"This was an important game for us before leaving home and goodto pull out the win," Anderson said. "We just have too muchbaseball left so there is no need to worry about who we areplaying. It's not like it's the last weekend of the season."

With Anaheim holding a 2-0 lead, Escobar ran into littleresistance through the first four innings. However, the BlueJays finally got on the board in the fifth, helped by an erroron center fielder Gary Matthews Jr.


"Errors happen and Gary has helped me get out of innings thiswhole year with his glove," Escobar said. "I made some bigpitches and got out of the inning with the lead."


Wells got Toronto's first hit of the game and stole second. Thespeedy Wells was tagging on a fly ball to center by FrankThomas when Matthews took his eye off the ball and dropped it.Troy Glaus followed with a sacrifice fly to right, cutting thelead to 2-1, and Aaron Hill singled to put runners on thecorners.


However, Escobar worked out of the jam and also got out of aone-out, first-and-second bind in the seventh.


While the Blue Jays couldn't muster a clutch hit, the Angelesmanufactured an insurance run in the seventh. Matthews led offwith a single, moved to second on a wild pitch, stole third andscored when catcher Gregg Zaun's throw sailed into left field.

Francisco Rodriguez followed Escobar by working a scorelessninth for his 33rd save in 37 chances.


McGowan, who also took the loss when he faced Escobar on August16, allowed two runs in six hits in seven innings. He had sixstrikeouts and did not allow a walk but remained winless in hislast five starts.


"It was one of those games where runs were going to be hard toget," McGowan said. "It was good to come here and split theseries and compete every game. They have a good club here andfor us to take two games and the season series is good for us."

Toronto, which has lost five of seven, went 0-for-5 with runnersin scoring position.


"They arguably have the best pitching staff in baseball and itshowed today," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "He(Escobar) was tough and is always tough to beat."