clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Hideki Matsui Grand Slam All Angels Need

Final Score in Los Angeles of Anaheim: Rockies 2, Angels 4

The Angels only managed four hits off of Rockies starter, and three of those came in the first inning Saturday night. But that third hit was a Grand Slam by Hideki Matsui and the Angels rode a 4-hit effort of Joe Saunders to victory.

Saunders allowed a solo homer in the 3rd to Clint Barmes and a a double to Melvin Mora in the 4th. Mora scored n a Miguel Olivo single. Hey, look at that, Melvin Mora is playing for the Rockies, did not know that. You coulda bet me $20 and allowed me to guess five teams in baseball that Mora was currently on and you'da got that A-Jack Green from me, and probably 95% of all baseball fans. Saundo looked good, throwing 113 pitches in 7 innings, striking out 8 Rockies and only walking one batter.

Fernando Rodney got his 12th hold throwing a scoreless 8th and Brian Fuentes had a stroke of magic when Angels 2B Howie Kendrick caught a line drive by Miguel Olivo with one out in the 9th and doubled off baserunner Melvin Mora at 1B for the final out for the game. It was the 13th Save of the season for Fuentes.

Kevin Frandsen and Torii Hunter had singled in the first, sandwiched around Bobby Abreu reaching 1B n a throwing error. The only other Angels hit was a Juan Rivera single in the 7th inning. It followed the only Angels walk of the game: Hideki Matsui, who was then replaced by Reggie Willits. The Angels failed to score in that inning despite having 1st and 3rd with no outs.