Final in Anaheim: Angels 8, Oakland 3
Hank Conger, Peter Bourjos, and Alexi Amarista made up the bottom three of the Angels batting order, yet it was their contributions that put the Angels on top tonight. The three, with an average age of 23, went a combined six for eleven while knocking in six runs with four extra base hits.
Amarista, making his first major league start, doubled in his first at-bat driving in 2 runs in the second inning that put the Angels ahead 2-0. The rookie added a sacrifice fly in the 8th inning, giving him three on the night.
Tyler Chatwood (2-1, 3.86 ERA) won his first game in Anaheim, but was the beneficiary of some Angels run support. Chatwood allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, but walked 4 batters in his 5.1 innings.
The Angels pounded out 16 hits, three each from Torii Hunter, Howie Kendrick, and Bourjos. Alberto Callaspo was the lone Halo to go hitless.
RevHF Reporting: The game was as easy as ABC - Amarista, Bourjos, Conger.
The stadium tonight had some early grumblings when Chatwood gave up his 2-0 lead in the 3rd inning. The infield tried to turn six double plays but only succeeded once. After the Angels had piled on the runs the relieved crowd kept an upbeat atmosphere going. After the fifth inning, the wave broke out every few at-bats for the remainder of the game. Although he did not get a save, Jordan Walden got some work in and it was still exciting to hear his Smoke on the Water intro music. The most popular song of any player, though, is far and away the traditional Mexican Ranchero ditty that accompanies Francisco Rodriguez the 2nd into the games. The crowd explodes. Its a Cali thing, you wouldn't understand.