Game 31 Recap-
Los Angeles Angels LH SP Joe Saunders was not his best but was good enough today with some offensive support to beat the Baltimore Orioles in Anaheim Sunday, 6-5. The teams combined for 6 runs in the 1st inning as both Saunders and Os starter, veteran RH Steve Trachsel, got hit hard.
The Orioles quickly scored 2 runs in the 1st after 1b Kevin Millar and C Ramon Hernandez produced rbi singles. However,the joy was short lived as Angels lead-off man and DH Gary Matthews Jr hit a homer. After 3 more hits, CF Tori Hunter connected for a 3 run shot and it was now 4-2 Los Angeles.
3b Melvin Mora homered in the 3rd for the Os and they were within a run at 4-3. However, Trachsel quickly gave up 2 runs on another homer, this time by 3b Rob Quinlan, this time with a runner on. The veteran right hander was gone in the 3rd and has a 7.42 era on the season.
Saunders, 5-0 on the season going into Sunday, did not have his A+ stuff but was effective and only another rbi hit by Millar crossed the plate during his mound appearance. He clearly did not have his best stuff but battled and got the team 5 and allowed the pen to set up with some order.
The Angels bullpen is among the best in the game and the group allowed only a homer by RF Nick Markakis over 4 innings. The Orioles relief corps, led by RHs Lance Cormier, Dennis Sarfate and Jim Johnson, one upped them and allowed no further scoring. Unfortunately, the margin of one run was enough and Los Angeles closer RH Francisco Rodriquez closed out the 9th with his 13th save.
Star of the Game- Hunter, whose 3 run homer set the tone for the game and Trachsel’s rough day
Orioles Notes-
Trachsel has allowed 20 earned runs in 21 innings over his last 5 starts….2b Brian Roberts had a tough day on the bases, he was thrown out trying to steal third in the 1st and was picked off at the 1b in the 9th by C Jeff Mathis. Roberts has stolen 34 of 37 bases since the start of the 2006 season.
Next Game/Series
Orioles travel to Oakland for a 3 game series
Monday- 10:05 Orioles LH Garrett Olson(0-0) vs As LH Dana Eveland(3-2)
Tuesday-10:05 Baltimore LH Brian Burress(3-2) vs Oakland RH Justin Duchscherer(2-1)
Wednesday-3:35 Orioles RH Jeremy Guthrie(1-3) vs As RH Joe Blanton(2-5)
