Angels escape Tampa with a win

Author’s Note: My apologies for being mostly absent the last week, internet was out of service, I assure our STB readers that I’ll be with you guys as the Angels pursue their ultimate goal this fall.

The Angels’ return home today in an unfamiliar situation, the Halos have dropped four of their last six road games. In doing so the Angels streak of 21 AL series without an series loss was snapped. The Indians took two out of three from the Angels before the club headed to Tampa Bay for a battle of AL division leaders. The Angels ‘08 struggles at Tropicana Fieldhouse continued as the Rays took the first two games of the series outdueling the usually clutch Angels in late inning baseball. Last night the Angels took the field hoping to avoid another sweep at the hands of the Rays. With a potential playoff matchup looming it was critical that leagues best road club get at least one win in Tampa.

In the bottom of the eighth the Rays looked to have late inning magic working once again. Trailing 4-3 consecutive doubles from B.J. Upton and Carlos Pena tied the game up heading to the top of the ninth. The Angels went to work on once again securing a go ahead run. Chone Figgins started the inning off with a walk and a Mark Teixeira single brought him into scoring position with one out. With Vladimir Guerrerro at bat, Mike Scioscia put on the double steal as Teixeira and Figgins moved on to second and third respectively. After Guerrerro was intentionally walked the bases were loaded to set a potential double play in motion. The Rays had to have a quiet confidence as the Angels had twice in Wednesday’s action stranded runners with the bases loaded. Torri Hunter seemed to continue the trend with a weak ground ball, but the Rays were only able to get the force out at home, leaving the bases loaded with now two outs. Up to bat was Garret Anderson, who was hitless on the night and riding a 22-game hitting streak. Anderson didn’t dissapoint and singled in the go ahead run on a balled lined on the ground to second baseman Akinori Iwamura.

With just a one run lead the Angels Fransisco Rodriguez was brought in to shutdown the Rays. After a leadoff single from Gabe Gross the Angels swiftly turned a double play, followed by a ground out to secure the win and K-Rod’s career high 48th save. After the game the Angels professed the importance of securing at least one win Tampa before the postseason. Torri Hunter explained, “We had to win one here, to kind of leave a mark.” K-Rod took it one step further promising, “In October, it’s going to be different.”

Tonight back home the Angels face the surging Minnesota Twins, who currently sit just an .5 game back of the AL Wild Card. This series also has potential playoff implications. With the Halos victory last night they secured a .5 game lead over Tampa for the best record in the AL. Meaning the Twins could feasibly be in Anaheim to open the playoffs in six short weeks from now.

Tonight

John Lackey (10-2, 3.22) vs. Scott Baker (7-3, 3.91) - 7:05 PT

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