Dan Haren Gem is Brooms Away for Angels

After four consecutive series wins on the road, the Angels got a sweep, taking the third of three games at home against the Washington Nationals.

Last Night's bobblehead hero was today's flesh and blood dominator: Dan Haren pitched a 2-hit, 7.1 inning effort with 6 strikeouts. The co-ace of the staff won his eighth game of the season with a run of Halo offensive support that epitomizes the 2011 season: Bobby Abreu scored a run on a Howie Kendrick GIDP. Vernon Wells was erased on the play, having reaached base on Washington 3B Ryan Zimmerman's throwing error to 2B. Later in the game, Abreu was erased on stretching a single into a double and Torii Hunter was also tossed out at 2B after safely reaching 1B on a strikeout and seeing the Ivan Rodriguez throw to 1B sail into RF - score the play K WP 9-6.

Scott Downs left an inherited runer stranded to close the 8th and Jordan Walden broke a three-blown-save streak to close the 9th, stranding one runner on 3B with a K of Mike Morse to end the game. It was Walden's 18th Save of the season in 23 chances. The rookie righthander has tossed 35.2 innings this season.