|
 However, they did get a bases-loaded walk, which proved to be the
game-winner in their 3-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Angel
Stadium to avoid being swept in the three-game series.
Kole Calhoun's two-out, bases-loaded walk in the eighth inning
forced in Erick Aybar from third base, capping a two-run rally that
turned a 2-1 deficit into a victory.
"With this team it's only a matter of time before the offense comes
through," said Angels starter Jered Weaver, who went eight innings
to get the victory.
Weaver gave up two runs on six hits and didn't walk a batter while
striking out six. But when he got to the dugout after the top of the
eighth, he was set up to be the losing pitcher.
The Angels trailed 2-1, their offense having been held in check by
Orioles starter Chris Tillman. Tillman, an Anaheim native and Angels
fan in his youth, held the Angels to one run on five hits and two
walks in six innings.
But in the eighth, Angels left fielder Josh Hamilton led off against
Orioles reliever Tommy Hunter with a broken-bat single to right,
then scored on a double to the left-center field gap by Aybar, tying
the game at 2.
 Second baseman Howie Kendrick struck out for the first out of the
inning, but Aybar surprised the Orioles by stealing third without
drawing a throw.
It seemed the heads-up play by Aybar wouldn't matter, though, as
third baseman David Freese struck out for the second out of the
inning.
After first baseman Efren Navarro was walked intentionally, catcher
Chris Iannetta walked to load the bases. Orioles manager Buck
Showalter then went to lefty Brian Matusz out of the bullpen to face
the left-handed hitting Calhoun, who walked on a 3-1 pitch to force
home Aybar with the go-ahead run.
Aybar's hit was the key to the inning, the RBI his 51st of the
season, trailing only Mike Trout and Albert Pujols on the club.
"Huge," Weaver said of the contribution this season by Aybar, an
All-Star for the first time in his career. "I've seen it since the
minor leagues with him. He gives you a great at-bat every time. He's
patient at times but aggressive at times as well. He's swinging the
bat really well for us and he's a key guy in that (No.) 5 or 6
spot."
The Orioles had taken a lead on a couple of clutch, two-out hits.
Nick Markakis had a two-out RBI single in the third inning and Adam
Jones had a two-out RBI single in the sixth for the only runs
against Weaver.
It appeared it would be enough for Tillman, who gave up an RBI
single to Pujols in the first inning, but nothing else.
[to top of second column] |
"I thought he was crisp from the get-go," Showalter said of Tillman.
"His curveball command was there, changeup, slider, he had a nice
mix."
Tillman had to work out of trouble several times as the Angels put
runners on base against him in every inning but one. But he was able
to make big pitches in key situations, as the Angels were 0-for-9
against him with runners in scoring position.
"We were able to execute some pitches in the latter part of innings
and were able to get out of it," Tillman said. "They've got a good
lineup, they battled. They did that all night long, all series long.
You never feel like you've got the game in hand."
After the Angels' rally, new closer Huston Street got his first save
opportunity, and despite a one-out walk to Chris Davis, struck out
J.J. Hardy and Jonathan Schoop to finish it.
The Angels scored in the first inning against Tillman when Trout
singled and then scored all the way from first on a long single by
Pujols for a 1-0 lead.
The Orioles got even in the third inning against Weaver, tying the
game at 1. Third baseman Ryan Flaherty doubled with one out, and one
out later scored on a single by Markakis.
The Orioles took the lead in the sixth when David Lough singled,
stole second and scored on a bloop single by Jones.
NOTES: Angels INF Grant Green was placed on the 15-day disabled list
with a lumbar (lower back) strain. Green had not played since Sunday
when he had the game-winning RBI single against Seattle. Green
reportedly hurt his back working out in the weight room. The club
called up 1B-DH C.J. Cron to take Green's spot on the roster. ...
Orioles LHP Darren O'Day hasn't allowed a run in more than a month,
covering 12 outings (13 2/3 innings) since June 17. His 1.04 ERA is
best among American League relievers. ... OF Nelson Cruz needs one
RBI to notch his sixth consecutive season of at least 20 homers and
75 RBIs. ... Orioles 3B Manny Machado was not in the starting lineup
for the second day in a row because of back spasms but said he was
feeling better.
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
