Recap: LA Angels vs. Minnesota
Sports Network | August 24, 2008
Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Mark Teixeira finished 3-for-3 with a homer and two RBI as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim held on for a 7-5 win over the Minnesota Twins in the third installment of a four-game series.
Vladimir Guerrero also drove in two runs for the Angels, who recorded their third win in the last 10 games. Torii Hunter, Garret Anderson and Erick Aybar knocked in a run each.
Darren Oliver (5-1) got the win after hurling 2 2/3 innings of relief in which he allowed only one hit. Francisco Rodriguez earned his major-league best 49th save of the season. Starter Jon Garland lasted only 4 1/3 frames, allowing six hits and five runs.
Joe Mauer knocked in a pair of runs for the Twins, whose four-game win streak was halted. Alexi Casilla homered and Justin Morneau also drove in a run.
Despite the setback, the Twins held their half-game lead over the White Sox in the AL Central after Chicago lost earlier Saturday to Tampa Bay.
Minnesota starter Nick Blackburn (9-8) suffered the loss, tagged for 10 hits and six runs -- three earned -- over 4 2/3 innings.
Los Angeles saw an early 6-1 lead evaporate into a one-run edge, but in the sixth, Teixera's low line-drive barely made it over the right-field wall for a home run and a 7-5 advantage.
Oliver held the Twins in check in the seventh, then Scot Shields turned in a scoreless eighth.
Rodriguez allowed a one-out single in the ninth but recovered to retire the next two batters and lock up the win.
The Angels broke a scoreless tie in the third.
Mike Napoli reached on Brian Buscher's throwing error and Chone Figgins singled. Aybar sacrificed both runners over, then Teixeira was granted an intentional walk. Guerrero launched a ball over the head of Carlos Gomez in center for a two-run double, then Buscher mishandled a liner from Hunter which allowed another run to score. Anderson's liner to Gomez turned into a sac fly for a 4-0 game.
Casilla led off the fourth with a homer to right, but LA countered with a pair in the home half on back-to-back RBI singles from Aybar and Teixeira.
Minnesota loaded the bases in the fifth on singles from Buscher and Nick Punto along with Garland's plunking of Gomez. Hunter made a great catch on Denard Span's deep drive to center but Buscher scored for a 6-2 game.
Casilla walked and Mauer's single brought home two. Garland exited for Oliver who allowed an RBI groundout from Morneau before getting Jason Kubel on a grounder to first.
Los Angeles has won four of seven games in the season series...Mauer extended his hit streak to 15 games...Oliver's win leaves him one shy of 100 for his career.
