NewsUnorthodox run production propels Halos
Rivera's popup drops in for go-ahead single in seventh
By Quinn Roberts / MLB.com
07/05/09 2:00 AM ET
ANAHEIM -- Just as fireworks went off at Angel Stadium in celebration of the Fourth of July, so did the Angels bats in a 11-4 win over the Orioles on Saturday in front of 41,764.The Halos scored 11 unanswered runs, all coming after the fourth inning, and had 17 hits, one shy of tying their season high.
Each player in the lineup had at least one hit, with Bobby Abreu and Maicer Izturis leading the way with three hits apiece.
Yet designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero would not be outdone. The slugger had two important run-scoring hits, the second of which was a three-run home run to left field, his third of the season.
"There were a lot of good things tonight, banging out all of those hits," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "It took us a while to get going, leaving some guys in scoring position, but at the end of the night with Vlad going deep, that was definitely nice."
After being down 4-0 as late as the bottom of the fifth inning, the Angels rallied after a throwing error by Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts that loaded the bases with no outs.
After the error, Abreu and Guerrero singled in runs, while Torii Hunter had an RBI fielder's choice to cut the lead to one run.
The Angels took the lead in the bottom of the seventh, when Juan Rivera hit a popup to right field that fell between the converging Roberts and Nick Markakis, scoring Abreu from third and giving the Halos the lead.
"That dropped ball was key for us tonight, I couldn't believe it," Hunter said. "I guess there was a miscommunication and it worked out for us.
"Trust me, I was picking up my glove and hat ready to get out there because there were two outs and then all I here is everybody screaming, so we got a little bit of help from those guys."
Angels starter Sean O'Sullivan, who pitched 5 2/3 innings and gave up four runs on nine hits in the no-decision, kept his composure after a three-run third, giving up only one run the next 1 2/3 innings to keep his team within striking distance.
However, O'Sullivan was promptly optioned back to Triple-A Salt Lake after the game, and the Angels recalled outfielder Reggie Willits in his stead.
In all four starts this season, O'Sullivan gave up four earned runs or less and was 2-0 with a 3.80 ERA, but he pitched drastically better away from home.
In the third inning, the Orioles strung together four hits on three runs, two of which were infield singles.
After O'Sullivan left the game, the Angel bullpen shut the door, keeping the O's hitless through 3 1/3 innings with a combination of Jason Bulger, Darren Oliver and Kevin Jepsen.
"Bulger came in and did a really good job for us, clamping down, and then Oliver and Jepsen threw the ball well," Scioscia said. "A good job by the pen."
Howard Kendrick, who played in his first game since being recalled from Salt Lake, had a hit batting in the ninth spot.
"I really felt good tonight," Kendrick said. "While I haven't made major tweaks to my swing, I have tried to simplify and get back to just playing baseball."
Kendrick joined in on a hit party Saturday night that was enjoyed by every Angel player in the lineup -- highlighted by the six-run eighth, when the Halos batted through the order.
"In baseball, anything is possible," Hunter said. "You just have to stay with it and hopefully end in a breakout like tonight."
Quinn Roberts is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
