American League Game Summary - LA Angels of Anaheim at Baltimore
Final Score: LA Angels
4 -
Baltimore
3
Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Vladimir Guerrero threw out Melvin Mora at
home plate in the bottom of the ninth inning for the game-saving double play,
as the LA Angels of Anaheim held on to top the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 and
close out a three-game set at Camden Yards.
LA got a run in the eighth on Mike Napoli's solo shot to left field on a 2-2
pitch for a two-run cushion, but Baltimore cut its deficit in half with a run
in the bottom half, as Brian Roberts doubled, Chris Gomez singled, and pinch-
hitter Ramon Hernandez singled home Roberts for a 4-3 deficit.
The Orioles continued to rally in the ninth. With one out, Mora hit a ground-
rule double and Jay Payton singled him over to third. Roberts then hit a fly
ball into right field, but Guerrero took four steps and hurled the ball
perfectly to Napoli, who stepped in front of home plate to make the tag on
Mora's left thigh just after the third baseman slid across it. Nevertheless,
he was called out, for the game-ending double play.
Casey Kotchman also homered for the Angels, who have won two of three. John
Lackey (11-5) allowed three runs on four hits with five strikeouts and three
walks over 7 1/3 innings. Francisco Rodriguez tossed the final 1 1/3 innings
for his 24th save of the season.
Payton homered for the Orioles, who have lost three of four. Jeremy Guthrie
(4-2) allowed four runs on four hits with seven strikeouts over eight innings
for Baltimore.
Baltimore plated a pair of runs in the second when Kevin Millar hit a ground-
rule double and Payton later belted a two-run shot to left-center field on an
0-1 pitch.
The Angels edged a one-run lead in the fourth. Chone Figgins singled, Guerrero
doubled him home, and Kotchman smacked a two-run shot to right field on an 0-1
pitch.