Angels score 6 runs in the 11th, beat Twins 11-5

[August 03, 2009]  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Howie Kendrick's pinch-hit RBI single started Los Angeles' six-run 11th inning and the Angels recorded their major league-leading 34th comeback victory of the season, 11-5 over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.

The Angels, who have come from behind in 13 of their past 18 victories, had six hits and two walks against three Minnesota relievers before making an out in the 11th inning.

Kevin Jepsen (3-2) pitched two innings of scoreless relief for the Angels, who improved to 4-3 in extra-inning games this season. Darren Oliver pitched the 11th.

Mike Napoli, who had four hits, tied the game 5-5 with a homer in the Angels' eighth, his fifth homer in 10 games. Bobby Abreu had a homer among three hits and drove in four.

The Angels are 12-3 since the All-Star break. They completed July with a 19-7 record and averaged 7.1 runs per game.

Joe Mauer homered and had three hits for the Twins, who are 4-7 in extra-inning games.

Bobby Keppel (0-1) walked Erick Aybar on four pitches to open the 11th. With Aybar running on the pitch, Gary Matthews Jr. hit a broken-bat single to shallow left field to put runners on first and third.

Kendrick hit a ground ball to shortstop Brendan Harris. Attempting to throw home, Harris stumbled and Aybar was able to score. Harris tried to get Kendrick at first, but he beat the throw for an RBI single.

Macier Izturis had a run-scoring single for the Angels, Abreu drove in two with a single, Kendry Morales added an RBI single and Aybar ended the scoring with an RBI groundout.

Mauer hit a three-run homer in the third and Nick Punto and Denard Span had RBIs in the fourth as the Twins took a 5-2 lead.

Reggie Willits led off the seventh for the Angels with a double and scored on Izturis' groundout. One batter later, Abreu cut Minnesota's lead to 5-4 with a homer to right.

NOTES: Before the game, Angels manager Mike Scioscia talked about Los Angeles not adding a pitcher before the non-waiver trading deadline. "(General manager) Tony (Reagins) made some strong pushes and, unfortunately, the other teams wanted some things that would create bigger holes than we were filling." The Angels were reportedly in the mix for Toronto ace Roy Halladay and San Diego reliever Heath Bell. ... Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire offered support to Boston's David Ortiz, who played for Minnesota from 1997-2002. "Papi's a great guy, David's one of the funnest guys in baseball and always a big smile. It's hard, it's hard hearing (the steroid allegations) and you know what, my heart goes out to him. I don't wish it on anybody, but the list is what it is. Like I said, get it out and let's get it over with."

[Associated Press]

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