GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: LA ANGELS (29-20) at NY YANKEES (21-25)

AL: LA ANGELS at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL AT NY YANKEES - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: S Shields relieved K Escobar.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: LA ANGELS 3
NY YANKEES 1 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR NY YANKEES: H Matsui (.288, 1-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at NY YANKEES

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

CURRENT PITCHERS: LAA - SCOT SHIELDS
NYY - CHIEN-MING WANG

DUE UP FOR LA ANGELS: C FIGGINS (.133, 0-FOR-3)
J MOLINA (.227, 1-FOR-3)
T MURPHY (.182, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at NY YANKEES

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

LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Willits lf 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 .336
O Cabrera ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .306
V Guerrero dh 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 .344
G Matthews Jr cf 4 1 1 2 0 0 3 .288
C Kotchman 1b 3 0 3 1 1 0 0 .300
H Kendrick 2b 4 0 0 0 0 3 4 .295
C Figgins 3b 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .133
J Molina c 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 .227
T Murphy rf 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .182

Totals 29 3 6 3 4 6 11

BATTING: 2B - J Molina (3, C Wang); C Kotchman (9, C Wang). 3B - G Matthews Jr
(2, C Wang). RBI - G Matthews Jr 2 (26), C Kotchman (24). Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - J Molina 1, G Matthews Jr 2. GIDP - H Kendrick. Team
LOB - 6.

FIELDING: E - H Kendrick (4, throw). DP: 2 (H Kendrick-C Kotchman, O
Cabrera-H Kendrick-C Kotchman).


NY YANKEES ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
B Abreu rf 4 0 1 0 0 2 1 .237
D Jeter ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .356
H Matsui lf 3 0 1 0 1 1 1 .288
A Rodriguez 3b 4 1 1 0 0 2 2 .304
J Posada c 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .368
J Giambi dh 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .265
R Cano 2b 3 0 1 0 0 1 3 .261
D Mientkiewicz 1b 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .234
M Cabrera cf 2 0 0 0 1 1 4 .211

Totals 29 1 6 1 2 8 15

BATTING: 2B - J Posada (16, K Escobar). RBI - D Mientkiewicz (15). 2-out RBI -
D Mientkiewicz. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - D Jeter 1, R Cano 1,
M Cabrera 2. GIDP - A Rodriguez. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: SB - A Rodriguez (5, 2nd base off K Escobar/J Molina), M Cabrera
(2, 2nd base off K Escobar/J Molina).

FIELDING: DP: 1 (D Jeter-R Cano-D Mientkiewicz).


----------------------------------------------------
LA ANGELS - 300 000 00 -- 3
NY YANKEES - 000 100 00 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era
K Escobar 7 6 1 1 1 8 0 2.64
S Shields 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 3.04

NY YANKEES ip h r er bb so hr era
C Wang 8 6 3 3 4 6 0 4.12

IBB - V Guerrero (by C Wang). HBP - J Giambi (by K Escobar). Pitches-strikes:
K Escobar 103-72; S Shields 14-8; C Wang 109-71. Ground balls-fly balls: K
Escobar 5-7; S Shields 2-1; C Wang 13-5. Batters faced: K Escobar 29; S Shields
3; C Wang 33.

UMPIRES: HP--Jeff Nelson. 1B--Jim Wolf. 2B--Tim Tschida. 3B--Jim Joyce.

Weather: 85 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 10 mph, out to right.</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL AT NY YANKEES - PITCHING CHANGE
NYY: MARIANO RIVERA (1-3, 6.32) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 1

DUE UP FOR LAANGELS: C FIGGINS (.133, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL AT NY YANKEES - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: M Rivera relieved C Wang.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: LA ANGELS 3
NY YANKEES 1 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR LA ANGELS: C Figgins (.133, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at NY YANKEES

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

CURRENT PITCHERS: LAA - SCOT SHIELDS
NYY - MARIANO RIVERA

DUE UP FOR NY YANKEES: J GIAMBI (.265, 0-FOR-2, HBP)
R CANO (.261, 1-FOR-3)
D MIENTKIEWICZ (.234, 1-FOR-3, RBI)</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">LA ANGELS (3) VS NY YANKEES (1) - MID 9TH - IN PROGRESS

LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Willits lf 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 .336
O Cabrera ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .306
V Guerrero dh 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 .344
G Matthews Jr cf 4 1 1 2 0 0 3 .288
C Kotchman 1b 3 0 3 1 1 0 0 .300
H Kendrick 2b 4 0 0 0 0 3 4 .295
C Figgins 3b 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .131
J Molina c 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .224
T Murphy rf 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .176

Totals 32 3 6 3 4 7 11

BATTING: 2B - J Molina (3, C Wang); C Kotchman (9, C Wang). 3B - G Matthews Jr
(2, C Wang). RBI - G Matthews Jr 2 (26), C Kotchman (24). Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - J Molina 1, G Matthews Jr 2. GIDP - H Kendrick. Team
LOB - 6.

FIELDING: E - H Kendrick (4, throw). DP: 2 (H Kendrick-C Kotchman, O
Cabrera-H Kendrick-C Kotchman).


NY YANKEES ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
B Abreu rf 4 0 1 0 0 2 1 .237
D Jeter ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .356
H Matsui lf 3 0 1 0 1 1 1 .288
A Rodriguez 3b 4 1 1 0 0 2 2 .304
J Posada c 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .368
J Giambi dh 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .265
R Cano 2b 3 0 1 0 0 1 3 .261
D Mientkiewicz 1b 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .234
M Cabrera cf 2 0 0 0 1 1 4 .211

Totals 29 1 6 1 2 8 15

BATTING: 2B - J Posada (16, K Escobar). RBI - D Mientkiewicz (15). 2-out RBI -
D Mientkiewicz. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - D Jeter 1, R Cano 1,
M Cabrera 2. GIDP - A Rodriguez. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: SB - A Rodriguez (5, 2nd base off K Escobar/J Molina), M Cabrera
(2, 2nd base off K Escobar/J Molina).

FIELDING: DP: 1 (D Jeter-R Cano-D Mientkiewicz).


----------------------------------------------------
LA ANGELS - 300 000 000 -- 3
NY YANKEES - 000 100 00 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era
K Escobar 7 6 1 1 1 8 0 2.64
S Shields 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 3.04

NY YANKEES ip h r er bb so hr era
C Wang 8 6 3 3 4 6 0 4.12
M Rivera 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 5.94

IBB - V Guerrero (by C Wang). HBP - J Giambi (by K Escobar). Pitches-strikes:
K Escobar 103-72; S Shields 14-8; C Wang 109-71; M Rivera 9-7. Ground balls-fly
balls: K Escobar 5-7; S Shields 2-1; C Wang 13-5; M Rivera 0-2. Batters faced:
K Escobar 29; S Shields 3; C Wang 33; M Rivera 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Jeff Nelson. 1B--Jim Wolf. 2B--Tim Tschida. 3B--Jim Joyce.

Weather: 85 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 10 mph, out to right.</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL AT NY YANKEES - PITCHING CHANGE
LAA: FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ (0-2, 2.18) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 1

DUE UP FOR NYYANKEES: J GIAMBI (.265, 0-FOR-2)</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL AT NY YANKEES - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: F Rodriguez relieved S Shields.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: LA ANGELS 3
NY YANKEES 1 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR NY YANKEES: J Giambi (.265, 0-FOR-2)</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at NY YANKEES

<div class="pre">AL AT NY YANKEES - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Damon hit for D Mientkiewicz.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: LA ANGELS 3
NY YANKEES 1 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR NY YANKEES: J Damon (.269, 2 HR, 16 RBI)</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at NY YANKEES

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

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

NYY - CHIEN-MING WANG, MARIANO RIVERA (9TH) AND JORGE
POSADA

HOME RUNS: LAA - NONE

NYY - NONE</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at NY YANKEES

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

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

NYY - CHIEN-MING WANG, MARIANO RIVERA (9TH) AND JORGE
POSADA


WP - KELVIM ESCOBAR (6-2)
LP - CHIEN-MING WANG (3-4)
SAVE - FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ (15)

HOME RUNS: LAA - NONE

NYY - NONE


TIME: 2:47 ATT: 52,536

PROBABLES: LAA - JOHN LACKEY (7-3, 2.38)
NYY - MIKE MUSSINA (2-3, 6.52)</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at NY YANKEES

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

LA ANGELS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Willits lf 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 .336
O Cabrera ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .306
V Guerrero dh 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 .344
G Matthews Jr cf 4 1 1 2 0 0 3 .288
C Kotchman 1b 3 0 3 1 1 0 0 .300
H Kendrick 2b 4 0 0 0 0 3 4 .295
C Figgins 3b 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .131
J Molina c 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .224
T Murphy rf 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .176

Totals 32 3 6 3 4 7 11

BATTING: 2B - J Molina (3, C Wang); C Kotchman (9, C Wang). 3B - G Matthews Jr
(2, C Wang). RBI - G Matthews Jr 2 (26), C Kotchman (24). Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - J Molina 1, G Matthews Jr 2. GIDP - H Kendrick. Team
LOB - 6.

FIELDING: E - H Kendrick (4, throw). DP: 2 (H Kendrick-C Kotchman, O
Cabrera-H Kendrick-C Kotchman).


NY YANKEES ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
B Abreu rf 5 0 1 0 0 3 3 .235
D Jeter ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .356
H Matsui lf 3 0 1 0 1 1 1 .288
A Rodriguez 3b 4 1 1 0 0 2 2 .304
J Posada c 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .368
J Giambi dh 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 .263
R Cano 2b 4 0 1 0 0 2 3 .260
D Mientkiewicz 1b 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 .234
a-J Damon ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .274
M Cabrera cf 3 0 1 0 1 1 4 .218

Totals 34 1 8 1 2 11 17

a-singled to center for D Mientkiewicz in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - J Posada (16, K Escobar). RBI - D Mientkiewicz (15). 2-out RBI -
D Mientkiewicz. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - D Jeter 1, B Abreu 1,
R Cano 1, M Cabrera 2. GIDP - A Rodriguez. Team LOB - 9.

BASERUNNING: SB - A Rodriguez (5, 2nd base off K Escobar/J Molina), M Cabrera
(2, 2nd base off K Escobar/J Molina).

FIELDING: DP: 1 (D Jeter-R Cano-D Mientkiewicz).


----------------------------------------------------
LA ANGELS - 300 000 000 -- 3
NY YANKEES - 000 100 000 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

LA ANGELS ip h r er bb so hr era
K Escobar (W, 6-2) 7 6 1 1 1 8 0 2.64
S Shields (H, 10) 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 3.04
F Rodriguez (S, 15) 1 2 0 0 0 3 0 2.08

NY YANKEES ip h r er bb so hr era
C Wang (L, 3-4) 8 6 3 3 4 6 0 4.12
M Rivera 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 5.94

IBB - V Guerrero (by C Wang). HBP - J Giambi (by K Escobar). Pitches-strikes:
K Escobar 103-72; S Shields 14-8; F Rodriguez 19-13; C Wang 109-71; M Rivera
9-7. Ground balls-fly balls: K Escobar 5-7; S Shields 2-1; F Rodriguez 0-0; C
Wang 13-5; M Rivera 0-2. Batters faced: K Escobar 29; S Shields 3; F Rodriguez
5; C Wang 33; M Rivera 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Jeff Nelson. 1B--Jim Wolf. 2B--Tim Tschida. 3B--Jim Joyce.

T--2:47. Att--52,536.
Weather: 85 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 10 mph, out
to right.</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at NY YANKEES

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

 

AL: LA ANGELS at NY YANKEES

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

LA ANGELS 1ST: R Willits walked. O Cabrera grounded out to pitcher,
R Willits to second. V Guerrero singled to right center, R Willits to third.
G Matthews Jr tripled to deep left center, R Willits and V Guerrero scored.
C Kotchman singled to left center, G Matthews Jr scored. H Kendrick struck out
swinging. C Figgins grounded out to first. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 0.

NY YANKEES 4TH: A Rodriguez singled to center. A Rodriguez stole second.
J Posada grounded out to second, A Rodriguez to third. J Giambi hit by pitch.
R Cano struck out swinging. D Mientkiewicz singled to left, A Rodriguez scored,
J Giambi to second. M Cabrera flied out to center. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 1.</div>

 

AL: LA ANGELS at NY YANKEES

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

La Angels Starting Lineups -- R Willits LF, O Cabrera SS, V Guerrero DH,
G Matthews Jr CF, C Kotchman 1B, H Kendrick 2B, C Figgins 3B, J Molina C,
T Murphy RF, K Escobar RHP.

Ny Yankees Starting Lineups -- B Abreu RF, D Jeter SS, H Matsui LF, A Rodriguez 3B,
J Posada C, J Giambi DH, R Cano 2B, D Mientkiewicz 1B, M Cabrera CF, C Wang RHP.

Umpires -- Jeff Nelson (HP), Jim Wolf (1B), Tim Tschida (2B), Jim Joyce (3B).


Gametime Weather: 85 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind out to right at 10 mph.


LA ANGELS 1ST: R Willits walked. O Cabrera grounded out to pitcher,
R Willits to second. V Guerrero singled to right center, R Willits to third.
G Matthews Jr tripled to deep left center, R Willits and V Guerrero scored.
C Kotchman singled to left center, G Matthews Jr scored. H Kendrick struck out
swinging. C Figgins grounded out to first. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 0.

NY YANKEES 1ST: B Abreu struck out looking. D Jeter grounded out to
pitcher. H Matsui singled to right. A Rodriguez struck out swinging. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 0.

LA ANGELS 2ND: J Molina doubled to deep left. T Murphy struck out looking.
R Willits walked. O Cabrera flied out to center, J Molina to third, R Willits
to second. V Guerrero intentionally walked. G Matthews Jr lined out to
center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 0.

NY YANKEES 2ND: J Posada flied out to left. J Giambi flied out to center.
R Cano reached on infield single to shortstop. D Mientkiewicz safe at first on
throwing error by second baseman H Kendrick, R Cano to third. M Cabrera struck
out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Error) LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 0.

LA ANGELS 3RD: C Kotchman doubled to right. H Kendrick struck out
swinging. C Figgins struck out looking. J Molina grounded out to third.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 0.

NY YANKEES 3RD: B Abreu grounded out to second. D Jeter grounded out to
first. H Matsui struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 3,
NY YANKEES 0.

LA ANGELS 4TH: T Murphy grounded out to second. R Willits grounded out to
pitcher. O Cabrera grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 0.

NY YANKEES 4TH: A Rodriguez singled to center. A Rodriguez stole second.
J Posada grounded out to second, A Rodriguez to third. J Giambi hit by pitch.
R Cano struck out swinging. D Mientkiewicz singled to left, A Rodriguez scored,
J Giambi to second. M Cabrera flied out to center. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 1.

LA ANGELS 5TH: V Guerrero grounded out to third. G Matthews Jr lined out
to center. C Kotchman singled to right center. H Kendrick struck out
swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 1.

NY YANKEES 5TH: B Abreu singled to right. D Jeter bunt popped out to
catcher. H Matsui lined into double play, second to first, B Abreu doubled off
first.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 1.

LA ANGELS 6TH: C Figgins grounded out to third. J Molina struck out
swinging. T Murphy popped out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 1.

NY YANKEES 6TH: A Rodriguez struck out swinging. J Posada doubled to deep
left center. J Giambi struck out swinging. R Cano grounded out to second.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 1.

LA ANGELS 7TH: R Willits flied out to right. O Cabrera grounded out to
third. V Guerrero grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 1.

NY YANKEES 7TH: D Mientkiewicz fouled out to left. M Cabrera walked.
B Abreu struck out swinging, M Cabrera stole second. D Jeter flied out to
center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 1.

LA ANGELS 8TH: G Matthews Jr grounded out to third. C Kotchman walked.
H Kendrick grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, C Kotchman
out at second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 1.

NY YANKEES 8TH: S Shields relieved K Escobar. H Matsui walked. A Rodriguez
grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, H Matsui out at
second. J Posada flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 3,
NY YANKEES 1.

LA ANGELS 9TH: M Rivera relieved C Wang. C Figgins flied out to center.
J Molina popped out to second. T Murphy struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 1.

NY YANKEES 9TH: F Rodriguez relieved S Shields. J Giambi struck out
swinging. R Cano struck out looking. J Damon hit for D Mientkiewicz. J Damon
singled to center. J Damon to second on fielder's indifference. M Cabrera
reached on infield single to second, J Damon to third. B Abreu struck out
looking. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 1.</div>

 

Escobar sharp as Angels beat Yankees

<h3>LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 1</h3>BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- Ron Roenicke took the managerialreins and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim did what they alwaysseem to do - beat the New York Yankees and score first-inningruns.

Kelvim Escobar made three first-inning runs stand with seveneffective frames as the Angels continued their success at YankeeStadium with a 3-1 victory on Saturday.

Gary Matthews Jr. had a two-run triple and Casey Kotchman addedan RBI single in the first for Anaheim, which has won for theeighth time in 10 games.

After Friday's 10-6 win, Angels manager Mike Scioscia flew backto California to attend his son's high school graduation. Thatput Roenicke in charge for just the fourth time since becomingScioscia's bench coach in 2000.

On Saturday, he saw the Angels beat the Yankees for the 17thtime in the last 25 regular-season games. He also watched theAngels use their regular formula for victories - first-inningruns and effective pitching.

After scoring three in the first on Saturday, they haveoutscored their opponents, 52-19, in the opening frame. Anaheimhas won its last eight games when scoring in the first and 21of 24 overall.

The Angels could have had more than three, but Orlando Cabrerajust missed a two-run home run as he hit a long foul ball toleft. After Cabrera grounded out, his teammates picked up theslack.

Vladimir Guerrero lined a first-pitch single and Matthews ropeda triple that rolled to the wall in left-center field, scoringReggie Willits and Guerrero.

Kotchman, who homered Friday and had three hits Saturday,followed by lining a base hit just over shortstop Derek Jeter'sglove after the Yankees brought the infield in. Kotchman wasstranded at first when Howie Kendrick struck out and ChoneFiggins was robbed of a base hit by Yankees first baseman DougMientkiewicz.

Escobar (6-2) allowed one run and six hits while striking outeight and walking one. He threw 72 of 103 pitches for strikes.The veteran righthander has won five of his last six startswhile surrendering 10 earned runs and 34 hits during thestretch.

Scot Shields pitched a scoreless eight and Francisco Rodriguezworked out of trouble in the ninth for his 15th save of theseason.

Escobar pitched eight scoreless innings in Sunday's 4-1 win overthe Los Angeles Dodgers and scattered three hits in thatouting. On Saturday, he gave up a hit in every inning exceptthe third and seventh but recorded key outs when he needed to.

In the second, the Yankees had runners at first and third withtwo outs after Mientkiewicz reached on second baseman HowieKendrick's throwing error. But Escobar ended the inning bystriking out Melky Cabrera.

The Yankees broke through in the fourth as Alex Rodriguezsingled, stole second, took third on a groundout and scored onMientkiewicz's base hit. Escobar finished the frame as hestruck out Robinson Cano on a splitter and retired Cabrera on aflyout to center.

The Yankees ran themselves out of the fifth as Bobby Abreu ranon contact but was easily doubled off first on Hideki Matsui'slineout to second. They also wasted Jorge Posada's one-outdouble in the sixth as Escobar fanned Jason Giambi and retiredCano on a soft groundout to second.

Escobar appeared to tire in the seventh as he issued a one-outwalk to Cabrera and quickly fell behind Abreu. But he recoveredand struck out Abreu and retired Jeter on a flyout to center.

Shields gave up a leadoff walk to Matsui in the eighth butretired Rodriguez on a double play and Posada on a flyout.

After the rocky first inning, Chien-Ming Wang (3-4), worked outof a bases-loaded jam in the second and retired 16 of the next20 hitters.

Wang, who had won his previous two starts, went a season-higheight innings and allowed three runs and six hits.

 

Escobar sharp as Angels beat Yankees

<h3>LA ANGELS 3, NY YANKEES 1</h3>BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- Ron Roenicke took the managerialreins and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim did what they alwaysseem to do - beat the New York Yankees and score first-inningruns.

Kelvim Escobar made three first-inning runs stand with seveneffective frames as the Angels continued their success at YankeeStadium with a 3-1 victory on Saturday.

Gary Matthews Jr. had a two-run triple and Casey Kotchman addedan RBI single in the first for Anaheim, which has won for theeighth time in 10 games.

After Friday's 10-6 win, Angels manager Mike Scioscia flew backto California to attend his son's high school graduation. Thatput Roenicke in charge for just the fourth time since becomingScioscia's bench coach in 2000.

On Saturday, he saw the Angels beat the Yankees for the 17thtime in the last 25 regular-season games. He also watched theAngels use their regular formula for victories - first-inningruns and effective pitching.

"Escobar's been pitching great," Roenicke said. "He had the oneouting where he was a little bit off. But his stuff is so goodthat when he's commanding the ball like he did today and likehe's been doing, he's really tough to hit."

After scoring three in the first on Saturday, they haveoutscored their opponents, 52-19, in the opening frame. Anaheimhas won its last eight games when scoring in the first and 21of 24 overall.

"It's great," Roenicke said of the first inning success. "I canlook at things a little different. We can be more aggressive.We didn't end up getting a lot of people on base but we stillhave been getting it done so we can be more aggressive."

"That's always easy, especially with the starting rotation wehave," Angels reliever Scot Shields added. "We're confident(that) if we put up some runs early on, it's going to hold upand it did today."

The Angels could have had more than three against Yankeesstarter Chien-Ming Wang (3-4), but Orlando Cabrera just missed atwo-run home run as he hit a long foul ball to left. AfterCabrera grounded out, his teammates picked up the slack.

Vladimir Guerrero lined a first-pitch single and Matthews ropeda triple that rolled to the wall in left-center field, scoringReggie Willits and Guerrero.

"He's got good stuff and you just try to take advantage of theopportunities you get," Matthews said. "We got some guys on inthat first inning. You give to give us some credit, I didn'tthink they were neccessarily bad pitches, he's got good stuff.You got to figure if you can score three or four runs off astarter, you got to give yourself a shot to win."

Kotchman, who homered Friday and had three hits Saturday,followed by lining a base hit just over shortstop Derek Jeter'sglove after the Yankees brought the infield in. Kotchman wasstranded at first when Howie Kendrick struck out and ChoneFiggins was robbed of a base hit by Yankees first baseman DougMientkiewicz.

The slow start sent the Yankees to their 10th loss in 15 gamesand dropped them a season-high 11 games behind the Boston RedSox in the American League East Division. During this slump,the Yankees have scored three runs or less eight times.

"Normally with our type of offense, it shouldn't be a problem,"Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "Giving up three runs shouldn'tcost us a game with our offense."

Escobar (6-2) allowed one run and six hits while striking outeight and walking one. He threw 72 of 103 pitches for strikesbut said his approach does not change with a three-run lead.

"I wasn't thinking about the lead," Escobar said. "I alwaysstay with my game plan and (I was) just going out there and nomatter how the game is and pound the strike zone and gettingpeople out. But it definitely helped when you get the lead andyou're going to keep it like that, especially (with) the kind oflineup they have and the right field line is short, you'regoing to be aggressive and don't walk anybody and just getpeople out."

The veteran righthander has won five of his last six startswhile surrendering 10 earned runs and 34 hits during thestretch.

"I don't think I ever had a start like I've had this year,"Escobar said. "And I want to continue to do that, just keepworking hard and just keep learning every day and figure out thehitters and go out there and keep doing what I do and have goodresults."

"He did good," Angels catcher Jose Molina said. "He just hasbeen really effective. He throws strikes (and is) getting aheadof hitters. When you do that, that's what you get - goodoutings."

Shields pitched a scoreless eight and Francisco Rodriguez workedout of trouble in the ninth for his 15th save in 16opportunities.

Escobar pitched eight scoreless innings in Sunday's 4-1 win overthe Los Angeles Dodgers and scattered three hits in thatouting. On Saturday, he gave up a hit in every inning exceptthe third and seventh but recorded key outs when he needed to.

In the second, the Yankees had runners at first and third withtwo outs after Mientkiewicz reached on second baseman HowieKendrick's throwing error. But Escobar ended the inning bystriking out Melky Cabrera.

The Yankees broke through in the fourth as Alex Rodriguezsingled, stole second, took third on a groundout and scored onMientkiewicz's base hit. Escobar finished the frame as hestruck out Robinson Cano on a splitter and retired Cabrera on aflyout to center.

The Yankees ran themselves out of the fifth as Bobby Abreu ranon contact but was easily doubled off first on Hideki Matsui'slineout to second. They also wasted Jorge Posada's one-outdouble in the sixth as Escobar fanned Jason Giambi and retiredCano on a soft groundout to second.

Escobar appeared to tire in the seventh as he issued a one-outwalk to Cabrera and quickly fell behind Abreu. But he recoveredand struck out Abreu and retired Jeter on a flyout to center.

Shields gave up a leadoff walk to Matsui in the eighth butretired Rodriguez on a double play and Posada on a flyout.

Rodriguez allowed two-out singles to pinch hitter Johnny Damonand Cabrera. He ended the game by striking out Abreu, whothought the pitch was outside and flung his helmet infrustration.

"I thought it was way away," Abreu said. "In that situation youhave to be sure which one is a ball and which one is a strike.That one is way off the plate."

"I'm not saying he umpired a bad game," Torre said of plateumpire Jeff Nelson. "I can't give you that evaluation but it'sjust how much the pitched missed by that got me."

After the rocky first inning, Wang (3-4), worked out of abases-loaded jam in the second and retired 16 of the next 20hitters.

"The first inning, too much balls were high and down the middle(of the plate)," Wang said. "If I don't give up three runs thatfirst inning, the team has a chance to win."

Wang, who had won his previous two starts, went a season-higheight innings and allowed three runs and six hits.

"He did seem to settle down from there (first inning)," Matthewssaid. "It's a tough day when you go eight innings and you getthe loss and only give up three runs."