K-Rod’s throwing error in the bottom of the ninth allowed the tying and winning runs to score after Mark Teixeira had given the Dodgers a lead with a two-run homerun in the ninth.
The Angels were blanked for eight innings, getting just four hits off A’s starter Greg Smith. The Angels were down 1-0 heading into the ninth, and Garret Anderson got aboard with a single and Mark Teixeira ripped the go-ahead two-run homerun, his third hit of the night after getting two doubles.
Jered Weaver had a quality outing good enough for a win, giving up one run on six hits with eight strikeouts in six innings. Darren Oliver then pitched two shutout innings, and after Teixeira gave the Angels a one-run lead in the ninth, it was K-Rods chance for his 59th save. He gave up a leadoff single to Daric Barton, who took second on the play after Matthews threw the ball in and it rolled in past the mound to Mathis. K-Rod then walked Jack Hannahan, who stood as the winning run at first. The next batter drove a grounder and K-Rod’s throw sailed passed first and allowed both runners to score for the win.
The Angels look to avoid the sweep today, sending Joe Saunders to the mound to face lefty Josh Outman. Saunders has been plagued with no-decisions lately, getting just one win since August 1. Saunders is 4-2 with a 5.18 ERA in eight career starts against the A’s. Outman is coming out of the bullpen for his second outing as a starter, his first start was a one-run, five-inning win over the Rangers.
