The Angels put up six runs before the A’s made it interesting with four runs in the ninth, but K-Rod closed it out for his 59th save for the Angels to avoid the sweep.
The Angels got on board in the first, with Reggie Willits walking, taking third on Matthews’ single and scoring on Teixeira’s RBI-single. They added two more in the fifth on Robb Quinlan’s RBI-single, the same play Torii Hunter stole home when Quinlan was safe after a run-down attempt. The Angels added much-need insurance runs in the seventh, with back-to-back-to-back solo homeruns by Morales, Napoli, and Wood.
Joe Saunders pitched seven shutout innings for his 16th win, the most by an Angels lefty since 2002. He held the A’s to six hits while striking out four. Speier tossed a hitless eighth before the bullpen was roughed up in the ninth. Bulger opened the inning by hitting a batter and a walk. Arrendondo walked the first batter before giving up an RBI-single. K-Rod then came in with one out and bases loaded, and after allowing three runs to score (not tagged to him), he got his 59th save.
The Angels continue their road trip to Texas tonight for a three-game series with the Rangers. Jon Garland will take the mound and face lefty Matt Harrison. Garland shoots for his 15th win while Harrison is 8-3 with his first big-league win coming against the Angels earlier this year.
