American League Game Summary - Toronto At LA Angels Of Anaheim
POSTED: 7:37 pm EDT July 6,
2008
Anaheim, CA -- (Sports Network) - Jon Garland allowed one run in a complete game, and Jeff Mathis went 2-for-4 with three runs batted in, as the Los Angeles Angels topped Toronto, 7-1, in the rubber match of a three-game series with the Blue Jays. Garland (8-5) gave up six hits and no walks in his nine-inning effort, and struck out three while throwing just 98 pitches. It was Garland's 100th career win, ninth career complete game and first complete game this season. "My sinker and curveball kept hitters off-balance," Garland said. "I made quality pitches and got ahead of the hitters. For (manager Mike Scioscia) to let me go out there in the ninth was great." Garret Anderson finished 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI, while Juan Rivera hit a solo homer for the Angels, who have won four of five, and finished up their six-game homestand with a 4-2 mark. Jesse Litsch (8-5) took the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 frames for Toronto, which has lost four of five. Litsch has lost four of his last five decisions. Rod Barajas homered for the Blue Jays, who wrapped up their six-game road trip 2-4 and have lost 13 of their past 17 road games. "We're hitting the ball well. We're just not scoring a lot of runs," Toronto manager Cito Gaston said. "We now turn the page and keep going. I'm hoping that this will turn around." Los Angeles scored some early runs in support of Garland. Chone Figgins opened the game with a single, and Casey Kotchman was hit by a pitch. After Litsch got two outs, Anderson roped a two-run double to left, giving the Angels a 2-0 lead. Rivera's leadoff homer in the second extended the edge to three. Garland, meanwhile, allowed one baserunner through the first three innings -- Vernon Wells, who led off the second with a double and went to third on a wild pitch. Wells was stranded in that frame, but again got on base in the fourth thanks to Erick Aybar's fielding error. Lyle Overbay followed with a double to right field, but Wells was thrown out at home on the play. Barajas, though, got Toronto on the scoreboard with his seventh homer of the season, a two-out shot in the fifth. But LA came right back in the sixth. Anderson singled and Howie Kendrick doubled to put both runners in scoring position. Mathis later singled to send both runners homer, chasing Litsch from the contest. Jesse Carlson came on in relief, but the Angels loaded the bases, forcing Carlson out and Brandon League in. League uncorked a wild pitch, though, that brought Mathis home and extended the Los Angeles lead to 6-1. Mathis' RBI single, plating Torii Hunter, in the seventh completed the scoring. Toronto never got to Garland, despite having a runner on base in most innings. Marco Scutaro doubled in the sixth and Scott Rolen singled in the seventh, but each time Garland navigated safely around it. He isolated the hits, and after Alex Rios began the ninth with a double, he got Wells to line out, doubling Rios off second. Overbay flied out to end the game.Game Notes:Garland improved to 11-2 lifetime against Toronto...After the game, the Angels announced catcher Mike Napoli was placed on the 15-day disabled list with left shoulder irritation. Catcher Ryan Budde was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake...The Angels had a trio of pitchers named to the American League All-Star Game roster on Sunday. Francisco Rodriguez, Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders were all selected. Meanwhile, pitcher Roy Halladay was named as the Blue Jays' lone representative...The Angels begin a seven-game road trip on Monday in Texas, in the first of four games with the Rangers...Toronto returns home for a three-game set with Baltimore, starting Tuesday.
Copyright 2008 Courtesy of The Sports Network.










