Izturis, Angels spoil return of Red Sox's Schilling <h3>LA ANGELS 4, BOSTON 2</h3>By Chris Padula PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheimreceived some unlikely power late in the game to defeat theBoston Red Sox, 4-2, to spoil Curt Schilling's return from thedisabled list. Infielder Maicer Izturis, who entered with nine career homeruns, belted his third home run of the season off of Schillingin the seventh innings to give the Angels a 3-2 lead. "I was just trying to get on base anyway I could," Izturis saidthrough an interpreter. "I got a pitch inside and put a goodswing on it. I'm happy it was the run we needed to pull out thewin." Schilling (6-5) missed 40 games after being placed on thedisabled list on June 19. "I felt good physically, but the big question is how I will feeltomorrow," Schilling said. The 40-year-old righthander was effective, going six stronginnings and allowing four runs on nine hits. He struck out fivebatters and walked none on an 85-pitch count. "It boiled down to four pitches in the game, which were badhanging splits," Schilling said. "I hung those pitches as badlyas I could have, it was extremely bad and disappointing." It was Schilling's third straight defeat. Prior to going on theDL, he pitched a combined 9 1/3 innings, giving up 19 hits and11 earned runs, in his last two starts. "I just have to come back out tomorrow and fix what I did wrongand make adjustments," Schilling said. Anaheim starter Jered Weaver, who had allowed 12 runs whilegetting roughed up in his previous two starts, got back on trackagainst the best team in the American League and helped theAngels snapped a six-game losing streak against the Red Sox. "Felt good to go back out there and pitch a good game," Weaversaid. "I knew that I had to keep them off the board and keep usin the game." The loss cut the Red Sox's lead in the American League Eastdivision to six games over the New York Yankees. "We just have to stay focused on going out and trying to wingame by game and see how it all works out," Red Sox managerTerry Francona said. Weaver matched Schilling by going six effective innings, givingup two runs on six hits, issuing two walks and striking outfour. First baseman Kevin Youkilis got the Red Sox on the board in thethird inning when he connected with his 12th home run on a fullcount off Weaver to make it a 2-0 game. "I had good stuff tonight, but I made a bad pitch to Youkilis upin the zone and he hit it hard," Weaver said. The Angels got to Schilling in the fourth inning when CaseyKotchman singled back up the middle to plate Garret Anderson andGary Matthews Jr. and tie the game at 2-2. "I just got a pitch up and I drove it back up the middle,"Kotchman said. "I think Schilling missed location with thatpitch." Weaver pitched out of a jam in the sixth after J.D. Drew andMike Lowell singled with one out. Weaver escaped by strikingout Jason Varitek and Coco Crisp. "He (Weaver) did a great job getting us out of that inning,especially against a team like the Red Sox," Angels manager MikeScioscia said. Anaheim tacked on a much-needed insurance run in the seventh.Catcher Jeff Mathis doubled after Izturis' home run and wassacrificed to third by Reggie Willits. Chone Figgins hit sacrifice fly to left which was bobbled by RedSox new call-up Brandon Moss, scoring Mathis for a 4-2 lead. Moss made his major league debut after Boston left fielder MannyRamirez was thrown out by home plate umpire James Hoye forarguing balls and strikes in the fourth inning. "Once I saw Manny get kicked out, I just thought to myself herewe go," Moss said. "I was excited to get in the game but not inthat type of situation. I lost the ball in the lights andbobbled it, but somehow I made the catch." Justin Speier (1-2) and Scot Shields bridged the gap to closer<div class="pre">Francisco Rodriguez, who worked out of a jam in the ninth to</div>record his 28th save of the season as the Angels extended theirlead in the AL West to four games over Seattle. "The bullpen is a big part to our team and anytime we can getthe ball to those guys at the end of the game we know we have agood chance to win the game," Scioscia said.
